Tuesday, December 06, 2005

Four Wolverines have World Junior chances

Sophomore forward Kevin Porter and freshman defensemen Jack Johnson and Mark Mitera from the University of Michigan have been chosen to play for Team USA in the 2006 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship.

In addition, freshman forward Andrew Cogliano has been invited to Canada's selection camp.

The tournament will take place Dec. 26, 2005, through Jan. 5, 2006, in Vancouver, B.C. The world's top players born in 1986 or later will represent their respective national teams.

Porter (pictured) is one of six returners from the 2005 U.S. team that finished in fourth place. Last year in Grand Forks, N.D., Porter had three goals and two assists in seven games.

The head coach for the Americans is Northern Michigan head coach Walt Kyle and many have Team USA pegged as the favorites, even Bob McKenzie of TSN.

Cogliano is one of five U.S. college players selected to tryout for Team Canada.

Michigan has had 22 players named to the U.S. World Junior Championship team a total of 33 times, beginning in 1980. Dating back to the 1999 tournament, at least one Wolverine has been on the U.S. roster each year. With three players being named to the U.S. World Junior team, Michigan ties Minnesota and North Dakota for having the most players representing its school.

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