Two forwards and two defensemen from the CCHA are on the roster USA Hockey has unveiled for the 2009 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship.The tournament will be played in Ottawa, Ontario starting Dec. 26 and ending on Jan. 5, 2009.
Four players from the CCHA will highlight the United States roster, representing Michigan and Notre Dame.
Ian Cole, a sophomore defenseman from Notre Dame, will compete in the event for the second straight year. The Ann Arbor native and St. Louis Blues draft pick has 3-5-8 in 15 games this season for the No. 1-ranked Irish with 20 penalty minutes, 37 shots on goal and one power-play tally. Cole’s teammate, and occasional defense partner Teddy Ruth, will help patrol the blueline for Team USA. The Naperville, Ill., native, a second-draft pick in 2007 whose NHL rights belong to Columbus, has one goal and a +4 rating in 13 games this season.
Forwards Aaron Palushaj and Matt Rust (pictured) of Michigan will also skate in the tournament featuring the best players in the world under the age of 20. Rust, of Bloomfield, is representing his country at the WJC for the second time. The Florida draft choice has notched two goals and five assists in 15 games thus far and is tied for second on the team with a +6 rating. Palushaj, a native of Northville, has tallied seven goals and 14 assists through 16 games. The St. Louis draftee leads the Wolverines with a +9 rating and is second on the team with two game-winning goals.
Rust photo courtesy UM Photo Services
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