Reilly, Skjei Named to U.S. National Junior Team Preliminary Roster

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Dec. 4, 2012
Gopher Hockey

Reilly, Skjei Named to U.S. National Junior Team Preliminary Roster

MINNEAPOLIS – Minnesota freshmen Mike Reilly and Brady Skjei have been named to the U.S. National Junior Team preliminary roster, according to a release on Tuesday by USA Hockey. The training camp for the 2013 U.S. National Junior Team is Dec. 16-18 at the New York Rangers’ Madison Square Garden Training Center in Tarrytown, N.Y.

Training continues Dec. 19-23 in Helsinki, Finland with the final roster being announced Dec. 23. The 2013 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship will be held in Ufa, Russia, Dec. 26, 2012 - Jan. 5, 2013. The United States is in a group with Canada, Germany, Russia and Slovakia.

A 2011 fourth round draft pick of the Columbus Blue Jackets (98th overall), Reilly leads all Minnesota freshmen with eight points this season and tallied his first career goal on Nov. 11 in a 5-1 win over Vermont. Prior to joining the Gophers, Reilly helped the Penticton Vees set a North American junior hockey record with a 42-game win streak en route to RBC Cup and Doyle Cup championships last season. The Chanhassen, Minn., native led all BCHL defensemen in goals (24), assists (59), and points (83) and won the BCHL Interior Conference Best Defenseman Award. Reilly previously skated for Shattuck-St. Mary’s and the Academy of Holy Angels.

In 14 games this season, Skjei has recorded two points for the Gophers including his first career goal on Oct. 13 against Michigan State. A 2012 first round draft selection by the New York Rangers, Skjei spent two years with the U.S. National Development Team Program in Ann Arbor after two seasons at Lakeville North. The freshman defenseman already has plenty of international playing experience, having helped the U.S. win gold at the 2012 Under-18 Men’s World Championship and bronze at the 2012 Under-18 Five Nations Cup. The Lakeville, Minn., native also competed in several international tournaments with the U.S. Under-17 team.

Both Reilly and Skjei participated in the 2012 USA Hockey National Junior Evaluation Camp.

Minnesota assistant coach Grant Potulny will serve in the same capacity for the 2013 U.S. National Junior Team under head coach Phil Housley.

A teleconference to discuss the 2013 U.S. National Junior Team Preliminary Roster is set for Tuesday (Dec. 4) at 10 a.m. CT. Head coach Phil Housley and general manager Jim Johannson will be on the call. Audio will be available following the teleconference on USAHockey.com.

-Pride on Ice-
Brian Deutsch
Assistant Director of Athletic Communications • Golden Gopher Athletics
 

If I remember right, when Bjugstad was a freshman he joined up with the Junior National Team as a big strong forward without a whole lot of offensive upside, and then came back as Nick Bjugstad (I think his scoring totals that season pre and post world juniors were night and day). Hopefully if they make the team, Skjei and Reily see the same kind of improvement.
 

You gotta believe that any teaching/coaching from as many great hockey minds as possible, and playing against the best young hockey players in the world will teach a kid a lot. Let's hope the turnaround is noticeable, assuming they make the team.
 





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