Sports

Sophomores to play for U.S.A.

Two members of the Wisconsin men’s hockey team were named to the U.S. World Junior Team, USA Hockey announced Tuesday.

Sophomores Blake Geoffrion and Jaime McBain will represent the United States in the annual event designed to pit the top 10 under-20 hockey teams in the world against each other.

"For those that have not been there and listened to your National Anthem being played and the flag being risen in a foreign country, wearing your jersey gives you chills," UW head coach Mike Eaves said of Geoffrion’s and McBain’s opportunity to play for Team USA. "It’s a phenomenal experience; you get to play against the best players in the world at that age. So it’s really special."

The two played on last year’s team that finished third to earn a bronze medal in Leksand and Mora, Sweden. This year, Pardubice and Liberec, Czech Republic, will host the tournament.

"This could possibly be the last time I play for my country with the USA jersey on my back, so it’s an unbelievable experience, and I’m lucky to be here," said Geoffrion, 19, who will be too old to compete in next year’s World Juniors.

Before Geoffrion and McBain get to Europe, however, they will spend several days in Ann Arbor, Mich., next week to reacquaint themselves with their teammates and build team chemistry. To help Team USA prepare for the world stage, it will play Western Michigan Dec. 18 in an exhibition matchup.

"It’s good to have a game before we go over there, and to have a game to get to know each other a little bit and try to build on that chemistry as much as possible," Geoffrion said.

Geoffrion is tied for second on the Badgers with 14 points this season, including a team-leading six in WCHA play. His four-point effort this past weekend against St. Cloud State earned him WCHA Offensive Player of the Week honors.

In addition to what Geoffrion has done on the offensive end, the second-round draft pick of the Nashville Predators in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft has been a valuable asset matching up against the opponent’s best line for Eaves and Wisconsin.

McBain leads Wisconsin defensemen with eight assists and has nine points this season. As a freshman, the second-round draft pick of the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006 led all blue liners with 18 points.

Both McBain and Geoffrion, products of the U.S. National Development Team Program, also helped the 2006 Under-18 National Team win the gold medal at the World Championships.

As far as a medal is concerned this time around, Geoffrion isn’t thinking that far ahead.

"We’re just focused on the process right now," he said. "We’re not looking ahead to the gold medal, or the silver or bronze.

"The team that’s going to win this tournament is that team that can get that chemistry."

An excited McBain has a bit of a different take, already eying the prize.

"We’re going in there to try and be the best team we can, and hopefully winning a medal will take care of itself," he said.

This year’s event takes place Dec. 26 through Jan. 5.