USA Hockey to host 53 players at camp in Lake Placid, NY in August

Photos by Scott Smith/picturesbypaul.com	Photos by Tom Kimmell
Wolverines sophomore forward Aaron Palushaj (Northville) is one of ten Michigan players invited to the 2008 U.S. National Junior Evaluation Camp in Lake Placid, N.Y., in August.	Boston College forward Nathan Gerbe of Oxford was named the USA Hockey’s 2008 College Player of the Year.	Willie O'Ree (left) and Michigan’s Sam Greenblatt were honored by USA Hockey at the Annual Congress. O’Ree, who broke the NHL color barrier 50 years ago and is the director of youth development for the NHL/USA Hockey Diversity Task Force was given a Distinguished Achievement Award. Greenblatt received an award for his 25-plus years of service to USA Hockey.	Omaha Lancers goalie Drew Palmisano, an Ann Arbor native that is headed to Michigan State this fall, was named USA Hockey’s 2008 Junior Player of the Year at the Annual Congress in June.

As part of the selection process for the 2009 U.S. World Junior team, a total of 53 players from 17 states have been invited to the 2008 U.S. National Junior Evaluation Camp in Lake Placid, N.Y., Aug. 1-9.

Participating players are candidates for the U.S. team that will compete in the 2009 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship, Dec. 26, 2008-Jan. 5, 2009, in Ottawa, Ontario.

The camp will feature practices and eight international games with a split squad of the best American players under the age of 20 facing off against Sweden and Finland.

Ten Michigan players were invited to the camp, including three veterans from the 2008 U.S. National Junior Team, forward Matt Rust (Bloomfield Hills), defenseman Ian Cole (Ann Arbor) and goaltender Jeremy Smith (Brownstown).

Three other invited Michigan players, forwards Robbie Czarnik (Washington), Justin Florek (Marquette) and David Wohlberg (South Lyon), were part of the bronze medal-winning 2008 U.S. National Under-18 Team.

Rounding out the Michigan contingent is defenseman Cam Fowler (Canton), and forwards AJ Jenks (Wolverine Lake), Northville’s Aaron Palushaj and Corey Tropp of Grosse Pointe Woods.
Ron Rolston (Ann Arbor), one of two head coaches at USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program, will serve as head coach of the 2009 U.S. National Junior Team. Rolston will be assisted by Nate Leaman, the head coach of ECAC Hockey’s Union College; P.K. O’Handley, head coach of the USHL’s Waterloo Black Hawks; and Jeff Blashill, the head coach of the USHL’s Indiana Ice.

Joining the coaching staff for the 2008 U.S. National Junior Evaluation Camp are Jay Varady, associate head coach of the Everett Silvertips of the Western Hockey League; Mike Cavanaugh, assistant coach for Hockey East’s Boston College and Mark Osiecki, assistant coach of Wisconsin of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association.

The camp opens on Aug. 1, and the international games start on Aug. 5.

USA Hockey hands out awards at Annual Congress
USA Hockey’s four-day Annual Congress includes meetings and workshops to improve the organization and an awards ceremony to honor those who have contributed to its success.
At this year’s event, held June 4-7, in Colorado Springs (CO), Boston College junior forward Nathan Gerbe of Oxford was awarded USA Hockey’s College Player of the Year, presented by Mission Hockey.

A Hobey Baker Award finalist, Gerbe led the nation with 68 points (35-33) en route to leading the Eagles to the national championship.

After a big postseason performance, which included five goals and three assists during the Frozen Four, Gerbe was named tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. He signed a pro contract with the Buffalo Sabres on May 6.

On the same night, Ann Arbor native Drew Palmisano of the USHL’s Omaha Lancers was named the Dave Peterson Goalie of the Year, presented by Itech.

Palmisano led the league with 32 regular-season wins to help his team capture the Anderson Cup as USHL regular-season champions. He also completed a record-setting postseason, compiling an unprecedented four shutouts during the USHL playoffs to help his team to the 2008 Clark Cup. Palmisano was named MVP of the playoffs and is headed to Michigan State this fall.

USA Hockey also honored three Michigan Amateur Hockey Association volunteers for their service to the organization. Ralph Bammert, who will retire this summer as Michigan District Registrar, was given the Presidents Award for his over 25 years of service. MAHA Vice-President of Adults received the 10-year Service Award and MAHA VP-Appeals Larry Johnson was given the Five-Year Service Award.

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