I can't directly compare Sauer to most of the defenseman on the camp roster because I don't see any NCAA hockey, but Sauer imo would have been more effective in last year's WJs than all of Mitera, Niskanen, and Butler, and maybe Chorney. He's a highly reliable guy that makes smart decisions and very few mistakes, and has a very long panic point. Moves the puck well, makes good crisp breakout passes, and plays a good positional game. He isn't a flashy guy, but he can do everything in all areas of the ice well and play in all situations. Good size and mobility and he knows how to them to keep forwards out of dangerous areas on the ice. Just a generally smart, sound, well rounded player. Based on last year's team and previous American WJ teams, I would guess Sauer should almost certainly fit in somewhere in the top 6, and probably top 4 (I like him better than Chorney).
USA wjc evaluation camp starts tomorrow
- Thread starter orangeandblack
- Start date
Hey I agree with you - if Sauer stinks up the camp and plays lousy then he doesn't deserve to be there. However if he plays as well as he is capable of playing then he deserves to be on the team If you are going to have an open evaluation camp then invite all the most talented players regardless of where they are playing their hockey whether it be NCAA or CHL. Give them all a chance to see how they stack up against each other then make an unbiased decision. Yes - Sanguinetti is a bit young but think of the experience this camp would have been for him - to give him and the US coaching staff a chance to see how he stacks up against the best US players. If he doesn't make the team then at least he was invited and given a fair shot. I know this is getting old but to not even invite the kid reeks of politics and politics has no place in selecting players for the national team.
US WJC D-men
Barring injuries, both Johnsons, Chorney, and Lee are locks.
Mitera is a repeat player, so he'll have to completly play himself out of a spot which is doubtful.
Rolston will take only 7 d so that leaves 2 spots, which won't be decided until later in the season regardless of who impresses. The reason for only 7 is add another "specialist" up front like Kane who could really add a lot in certain match ups and maybe on the second PP unit.
Don't count out Zach Jones who is a personal favorite of Rolston and has tons of intl experience. He too will also have to play himself out of a spot on the team. He's a great competitor and excellent PK man. Proven, steady and reliable with a year of NCAA experience under his belt to boot.
From what I've heard thus far, Sauer as impressed this time around and has the whole package. Zimmerman, who'se a long shot, has surprised some of the USA Hockey brass who had not seen him before.
I think the 88s from the U18 team up there, no matter how well they look, are on the outside looking in this time around. Next year will be there time.
Regarding Sanguinetti, he IS better than any of the 88 NTDP U18s up there (Johnson isn't there). For that matter so is Joey Ryan who was also overlooked becuase he too backed out on his NTDP commitment 3 years ago. Typical USA Hockey.
Barring injuries, both Johnsons, Chorney, and Lee are locks.
Mitera is a repeat player, so he'll have to completly play himself out of a spot which is doubtful.
Rolston will take only 7 d so that leaves 2 spots, which won't be decided until later in the season regardless of who impresses. The reason for only 7 is add another "specialist" up front like Kane who could really add a lot in certain match ups and maybe on the second PP unit.
Don't count out Zach Jones who is a personal favorite of Rolston and has tons of intl experience. He too will also have to play himself out of a spot on the team. He's a great competitor and excellent PK man. Proven, steady and reliable with a year of NCAA experience under his belt to boot.
From what I've heard thus far, Sauer as impressed this time around and has the whole package. Zimmerman, who'se a long shot, has surprised some of the USA Hockey brass who had not seen him before.
I think the 88s from the U18 team up there, no matter how well they look, are on the outside looking in this time around. Next year will be there time.
Regarding Sanguinetti, he IS better than any of the 88 NTDP U18s up there (Johnson isn't there). For that matter so is Joey Ryan who was also overlooked becuase he too backed out on his NTDP commitment 3 years ago. Typical USA Hockey.
O'Sullivan backed out too. Having played one game for the US junior team. It did not stop him from getting an invite. Someone is always going to be left out. The US wants to win. Winning promotes your system better than anything. Its not a secret.
s7ark
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But you already admitted you didn't see any NCAA last year. How you really compare him to Chorney? Did you listen to games over the interet?
Chorney is penciled in as his team's number 2 d-man (after Lee) in his 2nd year in the NCAA.
He seemed a bit tentative to me in the WJC last year, but then a lot of Americans did (questionable class by Van fans admitted). But he did his job and made very few errors. It's always better for a young d-man to be tentative on the offensive side, rather then the defensive, imho. He has proven chemistry with the teams for sure number 3 guy in Lee. Many are also predicting he bring some more offense to the table this year too.
He is not without flaws, he needs to stop telegraphing his shot so badly, and he isn't as physical as the Johnsons. But he does have a hard shot and has sound positioning. He has speed and plays PK and PP and also has an acurate first pass.
I think any possible choice for the US D will be very hard pressed to knock Chorney out of the top 4. Baring injuries of course.
Big Daddy
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- Dec 16, 2005
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Then why have they only won once since the inception of the tourney in '74? As a staff they are either biased or incompetent. Look, everyone knows the purpose of the NTDP was to develop the best kids (that choose the program) in the country to move them to higher levels. But not every great player choses the NTDP. By playing favorites, for whatever reasons, they are not fielding the best teams.
Big Daddy
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Greg7 watches a lot of WHL hockey and he said he saw Chorny in Van at the last tourny. More than enough time to get a read on players tendencies. Age is no excuse. Last time I looked there is no birthyear on the backs of the jerseys. it's all about performance.
Dominator13
Registered User
Hunter Gathers
The Crown
Around the same reasons as Williams.
He's SUPER raw and is pretty young.
Not hard to know why he wasn't asked to come.
montreal
Go Habs Go
Dominator13
Registered User
The U.S wants to win (lol). If you believe the selection process is not politically motivated than u better concede the selection committe is incompetent, you cannot have it both ways. A non invitation for Sanguinetti is a disgrace. The biased demonstrated by the U.S program towards C.H.L players is laughed at by scouts and admin people thru out the minors and the majors.
The players are also very aware of it, anf if you do not believe it does not have an impact on team unity you are out of your mind. The same favortism that goes into their selection process permeates the coaching ranks and affects the team, even now and it is only a camp. The U.S program needs to be held accountable for their actions, however I dont foresee that even after last years debacle. They got right back on their high horses and are doing the same things again
s7ark
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The only reason I mentioned age is that he is projected to be a number 2 D man on his team and is playing against much older competition then anyone in the WHL.
That shows he obviously impressed his coaches there during the season.
And if Greg7 can nail a players ultimate potential based on less then 10 games, he should be a pro scout.
Big Daddy
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I didn't say anything that would indicate he could be a pro scout, that is your conclusion. But it is not difficult to pick up on a players skill set, hockey sense, competiveness, tendencies, etc. after watching a handful of games.
It was very evident on the ice last year in Vancouver. The CHL guys like Schremp and Ryan were used brutally while Kessel and Bourque kept getting all the ice time in the world. Kessel is good - but he was 17, and bourque didn't belong on the first line. The US had ample talent to win it last year. Maybe they need an overhall at the top - bring in a guy that ouzzes repect and will do it right - like a Sutter or like Wayne in Canadian circles.
Hunter Gathers
The Crown
oh! thanks Dan, in 2 years he'l be leading team USA's defensmen squad
I actually didn't even know he was invited. He's still VERY raw and I don't think he'll be "leading" the defense squad in 2 years. I highly doubt that, actually. He's one of my favorite prospects in hockey, though, and I think he'll be a solid NHLer in time.
Big Daddy
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Walt Kyle was a poor selection as coach. I could not believe how well Ryan did with the limited time he was given.
Hey if you can tell what a player is about from one tourny... then I guess we have a pure SUPERSTAR in Mikhnov..
Why is the Sanguinetti thing such a disgrace. He is on O minded D man. I think we can all agree on that. So he would play on the PP then to be most effective or be a top four guy. He is not playing forst unti ahead of the Johnsons. He is probally not seeing second PP time or second pairing time between Lee and Chourney. That leaves third pairing and a guy they would need to play PK. Thats not Bobby.
I think there are biases. Thats why Stoa and Earl and others have not made it. When on talent alone they should have been there. But i do not buy into an anti CHL consperacy.
I think there are biases. Thats why Stoa and Earl and others have not made it. When on talent alone they should have been there. But i do not buy into an anti CHL consperacy.
I am so happy to see someone post this - you want bias read this! The US team is struggling offensively last year at the WJC and you have two of the most dynamic
offensive players in the tournament in Schremp and Ryan - three if you count Mueller and where were they? Sitting on the bench!!!!!! Ask yourself why they were sitting on the bench when in the limited ice time they had they played well - better than some of the NCAA golden boys that's for sure.
Sometimes people need to remember it's not like putting together an all-star team. There may well be bias, but you don't simply grab a list of the top-rated guys and say "Here's our team, let's win!"
it's a disgrace because he wasn't even invited. even if he didn't make the team this year (likely) at least it could have been a stepping stone to next year when he'd have more of a chance and the team could use him.
no one's complaining that he's not considered a lock to make the team. we're complaining because he wasn't even invited to the freakin training camp when he's one of the better American born defensemen out there. There are other defensemen at the camp who aren't gonna make it and really have no chance...why bother inviting them? cuz, in theory, USA hockey wants to get a look at them and consider them for future tournaments and start making those inroads.
it's simple really.
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