SI.com Predicts DU Duo Will Make Team USA

(above) Rhett Rakhshani was named in a Sports Illustrated.com article yesterday as a likely member of team USA in December

Watch Versus coverage of tonight's Red Wings-Canadiens game to see if Ruegsegger & Rakhshani are named to team USA.
Tuesday Night - 5:30 PM MST

When Team USA's 22-man lineup is revealed live during Tuesday night's Versus telecast of the Red Wings - Canadiens game, two Pioneer players will be watching the telecast with heightened anticipation. DU sophomores Tyler Ruegsegger and Rhett Rakhshani will learn where they will be on Christmas when USA Hockey announces its 22-player roster for the 2008 U.S. national junior team. Both players played well at the Evaluation Camp in Lake Placid in August.

Sports Illustrated.com ran a feature article about Team USA yesterday and predicted that both Rakhshani & Ruegsegger would make the team. There has been speculation since last summer that both players would not only make the team, but play on the same line in the Czech Republic. SI.com had this to say about Rakhshani & Ruegsegger when breaking down the projected team:

Rhett Rakhshani (Islanders, 100th overall, 2006): Don't be put off by the late pick. The smallish winger led all Americans in scoring at their summer evaluation camp and is one of those rare players who seems to make something happen every time he hits the ice.

Tyler Ruegsegger (Maple Leafs, 166th overall, 2006): He's a bit of a dark horse because of his suspect skating, but scouts rave about his competitive nature and two-way reliability.

The squad that will play in the World Junior Championships Dec. 26 through Jan. 5 in the Czech Republic will be disclosed Dec. 4, live on Versus during the first intermission of the Detroit Red Wings-Montreal Canadiens game.

If Ruegsegger and Rakhshani make the team, they will at least miss the Dec. 28-29 Denver Cup.