BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings
HARTFORD, CT – In Plymouth, MI USA HOCKEY announced its final selections for its 2022 WJC team.
Leading the way was Sandy Hook, CT’s Matthew “Mackie” Samoskevich who plays at the University of Michigan. He was the Florida Panthers’ first-round pick at #24.
Jake Sanderson of the University of North Dakota was an Ottawa Senators pick, also in the first-round, fifth overall. He is the son of former Hartford Whaler Geoff Sanderson. Scott Morrow, who stars at UMASS is from Darien, Connecticut is a Carolina Hurricane second-round pick, (40th overall).
Ty Smilanic who plays at Quinnipiac University (ECACHL) was also a Florida draft pick. Smilanic was selected in the third round (#74 overall).
Lastly, there’s New York Rangers’ fifth-round pick (#174 overall) Brett Berard who plays collegiately at Providence College.
The group featured five returnees from last year’s edition.
The team will play in the WJC in Group B. The tournament kicks off at 9:30 PM at the Peavey Centaurium in Red Deer, Alberta on Boxing Day on the NHL Network against Slovakia.
All the preliminary and medal-round games will be seen on the NHL Network.
