December 8, 2003
USA Hockey Adds Six to U.S. National Junior Team

Four collegians were among the final six players named to the 2004 U.S. National Junior Team, USA Hockey announced on Monday. That group joins a team featuring 12 other college players that will compete in the International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship, held Dec. 26 to Jan. 5 in Finland.

David Booth (Michigan State), Jake Dowell (Wisconsin), Brady Murray (North Dakota) and Dylan Reese (Harvard) were the most recent collegians added to the roster, which will be coached by Wisconsin's Mike Eaves. A 16-player preliminary roster had been announced Oct. 27.

The complete roster (listed below) features three players from Wisconsin and two each from Colorado College, Maine, Michigan State and North Dakota. The U.S. is considered to be one of the favorites to capture the gold medal at the World Junior Championship.

North Dakota's Murray holds dual citizenship with Canada, and participated in Team Canada's summer evaluation camp before deciding recently to represent the U.S.

Also of note, the team features a pair of ex-collegians, both of whom were freshmen in the CCHA last year. Ryan Kesler (Ohio State), who was named to the team in October, is currently playing for the Vancouver Canucks, while Dan Richmond (Michigan), named on Monday, is currently with the London Knights (OHL). Kesler's participation, as well as Dustin Brown's, is pending the approval of their NHL clubs.

The lone U.S. college player in contention for a spot on the Canadian team is Michigan's Jeff Tambellini, who will participate in Canada's selection camp later this month.

2004 U.S. National Junior Team Roster

Team USA Schedule