ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Fifty-three of the top American players born in 1996 have been invited to USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program Evaluation Camp, it was announced today by USA Hockey. The camp, which is held to help select the 2012-13 U.S. National Under-17 Team, will take place March 19-23 at the Ann Arbor Ice Cube.
"We have a terrific group of players and look for the talent level and competitiveness to be high,” said Peter Ward, the NTDP’s director of player personnel.
The players will be divided into three teams - Red, White and Blue - and will participate in on-ice practices, off-ice training, four 30-minute games and two full games. Each team will consist of nine forwards, six defensemen and two goaltenders.
NTDP alum Brett Henning (Buffalo Grove, Ill./1997-98) will serve as a coach at the camp, guiding Team Blue. In addition, NTDP assistant coaches Matt Curley and Tyler Eaves will guide Team White and Team Red, respectively.
NOTES: The 53 players on the NTDP Evaluation Camp roster represent 17 different states. Minnesota leads the way with seven natives on the roster, while Illinois and New York each boast six.
2012 National Team Development Program Evaluation Camp Game Schedule March 20-22 • Ann Arbor Ice Cube