USA Wins World Junior A Challenge Again

(above) DU recruit Garrett Allen was one of two DU recruits who starred for team USA at the World Junior A Challenge

The U.S. Junior Select Team erased a three-goal deficit en route to a 6-4 victory over Canada East in the championship game of the 2010 World Junior A Challenge. The win gave Team USA its third straight World Junior A Challenge title.

The 2010 World Junior A Challenge included teams from Russia, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States and two teams from Canada (East and West).

University of Denver recruit Scott Mayfield (St. Louis, Mo.) was named to the tournament all-star team. Mayfield was also named the most valuable player of the tournament. This performance will almost certainly cement Mayfield as a first round NHL draft pick next summer.

The other DU recruit participating in the tournament for Team USA, Garret Allen performed also well. Allen was named Player of the Game in the USA's 5-1 semi-final victory over Canada West. Allen's game winning goal in the semi-final was assisted by Mayfield.

DU recruit Joey Laleggia played for Canada West. Laleggia continues to lead the BCHL in defenseman scoring.

5 comments:

Aluuum said...

and the beat goes on -- top tier recruits keep lining up to come to D.U. The future is bright.

dggoddard said...

Looking forward to next summer's NHL Draft DU has three or four players that should be drafted.

Nick Shore is just coming off his hand injury, but if he steps it up this season he may sneak into the first round. Certainly Drew's great start is only going to help Nick's draft status.

Mayfield is ranked in the Top 50 by most online mock draft sites. But thats around where Colborne was ranked and he kept moving up until he was eventually selected #16 overall by Boston.

Zac Larraza is starting to appear on some mock draft lists. He's probably slotted for the third round, but can move up with a big season for the USNDT-Under 18 Team.

Joey Laleggia would certainly be drafted if he was taller.

Anonymous said...

Did larraza get hurt during the under 18 tournament how is he playing? Do we have room for any late commitments for next year? Anyone on the radar for next year? Whats the story on Jones, is he comming, how is that class looking?

dggoddard said...

The USA Under 18 Team won the Four Nations Cup against Sweden, Finland & Switzerland.

DU recruit Matt Van Voorhis had an assist in the Tourney, but I didn't see Zac Larraza in any of the Box Scores. So as you suggested, he may have been injured.

Two weeks ago USA Today described Zac thusly, "Potential is the word that is used about Larazza [sic]. He is a talented player who has played well in spurts, but his total game isn't quite developed."

I've never seen or heard that Seth Jones [Justin's brother] was considering DU. But the Carle, Ostrow, Shore & Mermis brothers seem to be signaling a pattern of hockey brothers at DU.

DU will certainly be in the mix for some recruited walk-on to fill out the 2011 class, but unless someone besides Donovan leaves DU early, Laleggia was probably DU's last scholie available.

The 2012 class has three recruits locked up, Tyler Pham, Josiah Didier & Dakota Mermis. Quentin Shore and perhaps Seth Jones are guys DU are likely after.

DU only has four Juniors on the roster this season, Lee, Dewhurst, Salazar & redshirt Jr. John Ryder. Its hard to tell because Dewhurst, Salazar and/or Ryder may have partial scholies. The unknown wildcard, as always, are players leaving early.

dggoddard said...

One last thing.

DU recruit Dakota Mermis, younger brother of DU player Jarrod Mermis won a gold medal with the Under-17 USNDT over the weekend as well. Potential DU recruit Quentin Shore also plays on the team.

Dakota Mermis is considered to be one of the best under 17 year-old defensemen in the world.