By Michael Caples –
During the 2013 International Break, Team USA competed in five tournaments and won three of them.
The Americans captured first place in the World Junior A Challenge, the Under-17 Four Nations and the Deutschland Cup.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Under-18 team finished in second place at the Four Nations Cup, and the U.S. women’s team finished in third place at the same tournament.
Here is a look at how the World Junior A Challenge and Under-17 Four Nationals teams did. There were no Michigan natives on the Deutschland Cup roster.
World Junior A Challenge
With a 4-1 win over Russia, the USHL players making up the Team USA World Junior A Challenge roster captured a title in their respective tournament. The Americans posted a perfect 5-0 record. Here are the scores:
- Canada West (Exhibition) – 4-3
- Russia – 8-3
- Canada East – 4-2
- Switzerland (Semifinals) – 7-4
- Russia (Championship) – 4-1
Here is a look at how the Michigan natives performed in the tournament:
Kyle Conner, Shelby Township: The Youngstown Phantoms forward and Michigan commit scored the game-winning goal in the championship. He finished with two goals and three assists in four games.
Josh Jacobs, Shelby Township: The Indiana Ice defenseman and Michigan State commit didn’t record any points, but he helped anchor a blue line that limited the opposition to only 13 goals across the entire tournament.
Ryan Mantha, Clarkston: The Sioux City Musketeers defenseman, a North Dakota commit, recorded 16 penalty minutes during the tournament.
Marcel Godbout, Center Line: The Des Moines Buccaneers forward, a Michigan State commit, recorded one assist in the four official contests.
Other Michigan connections:
Connor Hurley, Muskegon Lumberjacks forward: Hurley, a Notre Dame commit, finished second in the tournament in scoring, racking up four goals and eight assists for 12 points. His eight assists led all players, as well.
Under-17 Four Nations
Team USA’s representatives at the Under-17 Four Nations – the NTDP U17 Team – posted a perfect 4-0 record in the tournament, and they did so in convincing fashion. Here are the scores:
- Slovakia (Exhibition) – 8-2
- Switzerland – 8-2
- Slovakia – 5-2
- Russia – 5-3
Here is a look at how the Michigan natives performed in the tournament:
Dennis Yan, Troy: Yan, an uncommitted forward, recorded one goal and four assists, along with a +4 rating.
Brendan Warren, Carleton: Warren, a Michigan commit, posted one goal and two assists, while playing to a +3 rating.
Brody Stevens, Ann Arbor: Stevens, who has yet to commit to a university, recorded two goals and a +2 rating.
Grant Gabriele, Brighton: The uncommitted defenseman recorded one goal while playing to a +4 rating.
Nick Boka, Plymouth: Boka, a Michigan commit, was +6. He also racked up 14 penalty minutes.
Zach Werenski, Grosse Pointe: Werenski did not dress for the Four Nations tournament.