Colorado Rubber

Colorado’s and Utah’s Authoritative Voice of Ice and Inline Hockey

Colorado natives Mbereko, Smilanic tabbed for 2022 U.S. National Junior Team

 

USA Hockey has named the 25 players to the 2022 U.S. National Junior Team set to compete in the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship from Dec. 26, 2021 to Jan. 5, 2022 in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta.

“We have had a long process evaluating this team dating back to the summer showcase and scouting these players throughout their seasons,” said John Vanbiesbrouck, general manager of the 2022 U.S. National Junior Team and also the assistant executive director of hockey operations for USA Hockey. “We had a great camp and our players and staff have done everything we’ve asked of them.

“We believe in these 25 players, and we all have the same goal heading into Alberta.”

Among the 25 players are Aspen native Kaidan Mbereko (USHL’s Lincoln Stars) and Elizabeth native Ty Smilanic (NCAA D-I Quinnipiac University), as well as Salt Lake City native Ian Moore (Harvard).

Mbereko played for the Aspen Leafs during his youth hockey career and is committed to NCAA Division I Colorado College, while Smilanic skated for the Colorado Thunderbirds.

Team USA will face Slovakia in its first preliminary matchup Dec. 26 at WP Centrium with opening faceoff set for 7:30 p.m. local time/9:30 p.m. ET.

Photo/Rena Laverty/USA Hockey

(December 15, 2021)

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