Yesterday Team Canada announced it’s 2013 World Junior Championship Preliminary roster, and today the USA followed suit. Mario Lucia (Notre Dame / ’12 Wild) and Mike Reilly (Minnesota / ’12 Blue Jackets) were both named to USA Hockey’s 27-man roster Tuesday morning. The camp runs December 16-18 in Tarrytown, N.Y at the New York Rangers practice facility. An additional camp will follow in Finland, were they will announce their final 23-man roster for the tournament in Ufa, Russia.
Chris Peter’s of United States of Hockey analysis
If you read through previous previews and predictions from Peters, he speculates Lucia has a real shot of playing a prominent role as a first or second-line left-winger for USA during the holidays. It’s not a secret the Americans are light on top-end left-wingers, and Lucia, even recovering from a significant leg injury, might be able to fit the bill. The Notre Dame freshman appears to have had a seamless transition back into the line-up, scoring three goals last weekend and being named CCHA Rookie of the Week. Since returning from a broken leg, Lucia has four goals and five points in six games.
CCHA Press Release on Luica’s Rookie of the Week Honours
Mike Reilly is a regular on the Minnesota blue-line in his freshman season. The Chanhassen, Minnesota native has one goal and eight points in 15 games for the Gophers. Reilly has seen a lot of time on the Gophers number one power-play unit and you would expect him to get every opportunity to be the power-play quarterback for team USA. Reilly has breath-taking speed and is so slippery and with the large ice-surface in Russia, Reilly will be a valuable piece for the Americans.
