2 Minnesota defensemen named to U.S. Jr. Select Team

No Minnesota forwards or goalies were selected to play for the U.S. Jr. Select Team that will compete at the World Junior A Challenge Nov. 1-8 in Summerside, P.E.I. But as usual Minnesota will be well represented by its elite defensemen. Nick Mattson of Chanhassen and Nick Jensen of Rogers, who are both playing this year in the USHL, are two of the six defensemen on the team.

Mattson is a North Dakota recruit and turns 18 this week on October 25th. He is in his first season in the USHL after playing his prep years at the U.S. National Development Team in Ann Arbor, MI.

Jensen is in his second year in the USHL with Green Bay. He is a St. Cloud State recruit and Detroit Red Wings draft pick.

Mattson is still adjusting to the USHL only four games in and still looking for his first point. Jensen has quickly become one of the lague's elite defensemen.



2009 United States Junior Select Team Roster

No. Name Ht Wt (kg) Birthdate S/C Hometown Team/NHL

GOALTENDERS (2)
30 Eric Mihalik 6-0 180 2/28/91 L Avon Lake, Ohio Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL)
1 Will Yanakeff 6-3 200 4/30/92 L Jerome, Mich. Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)

DEFENSEMEN (7)
4 Kevin Albers 6-0 191 5/23/91 R Lake Orion, Mich. Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)
7 Mac Bennett 5-11 175 3/25/91 L Warrick, R.I. Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL)/Montreal
8 Kevin Gravel 6-4 185 3/26/92 L Kingsford, Mich. Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)
6 Nick Jensen 6-0 195 9/21/90 R Rogers, Minn. Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)/Detroit
5 Kevin Lind 6-3 202 3/31/92 L Homer Glen, Ill. Chicago Steel (USHL)
24 Nick Mattson 6-1 190 10/25/91 L Chanhassen, Minn. Indiana Ice (USHL)
3 Eamonn McDermott 5-11 176 12/17/91 R Shaker Heights, Ohio Fargo Force (USHL)

FORWARDS (13)
15 Beau Bennett 6-1 180 11/27/91 R Gardena, Calif. Penticton Vees (BCHL)
22 Shane Berschbach 5-8 140 5/19/91 L Clawson, Mich. Indiana Ice (USHL)
20 Connor Brickley 6-0 190 2/25/92 L Everett, Mass. Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL)
11 Jeff Costello 5-11 202 11/20/90 L Milwaukee, Wis. Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL)
9 Chris Crane 6-0 190 12/2/91 R West Chester, Ohio Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)
18 Derek DeBlois 5-10 176 2/19/91 R East Greenwich, R.I. Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL)
17 Nic Dowd 6- 195 9/27/90 R Ankeny, Iowa Lincoln Stars (USHL)
14 Matt Leitner 5-10 172 11/27/90 L Los Alamitos, Calif. Fargo Force (USHL)
23 John Parker 5-10 180 1/11/92 R Green Brook, N.J. Indiana Ice (USHL)
16 Mike Parks 5-11 191 2/15/92 R O’Fallon, Mo. Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL)
21 Nick Sorkin 6-3 170 6/30/91 L Rockville, Md. Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL)19 Colten St. Clair 5-11 180 11/22/92 R Gilbert, Ariz. Fargo Force (USHL)