The roster for the U.S. Junior Team was announced Tuesday. This year’s games take place in Geneva, Switzerland, with practice games in Germany.
Boston College and Minnesota led the way with players on the roster, with three each. For BC, forwards Marty Reasoner, Jeff Farkas, and Blake Bellefeuille will play; for Minnesota, forwards Erik Rasmussen and Wyatt Smith, along with defenseman Ben Clymer will be traveling to Switzerland. The two teams, without these players, will meet each other in the opening round of the Mariucci Classic in Minneapolis on Dec. 27.
St. Cloud State and Colorado College had two players each make the roster. Boston University had two players announced, but one of the players, freshman Dan LaCouture, has left BU.
Colorado College is perhaps the hardest hit by the roster announcement, as they face Vermont in the opening round of the Badger Showdown, followed by the either of Wisconsin/New Hampshire. None of the other three teams in the tournament lose players to the U.S. Junior Team. The team follows up with a game at Michigan State, which loses Mike York to the Junior Team.
Minnesota and Boston College, while each plays each other with the shortened roster, must face Miami or Clarkson, both schools unaffected. Minnesota has an exhibition match with Team Finland, and the players get back from Switzerland just in time for a road trip to Alaska-Anchorage.
Typically the loss of the key young talent is difficult for the teams, but it is generally agreed that the players come back better for the experience.
1996-97 United States National Junior Team Roster
No. Name, Pos. Current Team
Blake Bellefeuille, F Boston College (HEA)
Brian Boucher, G Tri-City Americans (WHL)
Jesse Boulerice, F Detroit Whalers (OHL)
Ben Clymer, D Minnesota (WCHA)
Josh DeWolf, D St. Cloud (WCHA)
Robert Esche, G Detroit Whalers (OHL)
Jeff Farkas, F Boston College (HEA)
Chris Hajt, D Guelph Storm (OHL)
Dan LaCouture, F Boston Univ. (HEA)
Paul Mara, D Sudbury Wolves (OHL)
Michael McBain, D Red Deer Rebels (WHL)
Mark Parrish, F St. Cloud (WCHA)
Dan Peters, D Colorado College (WCHA)
Toby Petersen, F Colorado College (WCHA)
Tom Poti, D Boston Univ. (HEA)
Erik Rassmussen, F Minnesota (WCHA)
Marty Reasoner, F Boston College (HEA)
Jason Sessa, F Lake Superior (CCHA)
Ben Simon, F Notre Dame (CCHA)
Wyatt Smith, F Minnesota (WCHA)
Mike York, F Michigan State (CCHA)
B.J. Young, F Red Deer Rebels (WHL)
Coaching and support staff
U.S. National coach – Jeff Jackson, Ann Arbor Mich.
Director of player personnel – Bob Mancini, Ann Arbor, Mich.
Assistant coach – Greg Cronin, Bangor Maine
Assistant coach – Mel Pearson, Ann Arbor, Mich.
Team leader – Scott Monaghan, Ann Arbor, Mich.
Team physician – Dr. Keith Meister, Gainsville, Fla.
Athletic trainer – Greg Ipson, Houghton, Mich.
Equiptment manager – Jim Dunn, Long Lake, Minn.
Video technichian – Joe Curnane, Boston, Mass.
USA Hockey President – Walter L. Bush, Jr., Edina, Minn.
USA Hockey international council chairman – Ron DeGregorio, Salem, N.H.
USA Hockey Executive Director – Dave Ogrean, Colorado Springs, Colo.
USA Hockey senior director, international administration – Art Berglund, Colorado Springs Colo.
USA Hockey techincal director – Dave Peterson, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Schedule
Exhibition Games
Dec. 21 United States vs. Sweden
Dec. 22 United States vs. Germany or Slovakia
1997 IIHF World Junior Championship
Dec. 26 United States vs. Switzerland
Dec. 28 United States vs. Canada
Dec. 29 United States vs. Czech Republic
Dec. 31 United States vs. Germany
Jan. 1 Qualifying round: A2 vs. B3/ B2 vs. A3
Jan. 3 Semifinal round: B1 vs. Winner A2-B3 / A1 vs. Winner B2-A3
Jan. 4 Gold medal game/bronze medal game
Pools
Group A Group B
Canada Sweden
Czech Republic Russia
United States Finland
Germany Slovakia
Switzerland Poland
