COLORADO SPRINGS, USA – USA Hockey named the first 15 players for the U.S. roster at the 2013 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in Stockholm and Helsinki and announced the assistant coaches for Joe Sacco.
The first group of players includes two goalkeepers, six defensemen and seven forwards. Twelve players were called from NHL teams that will miss the play-offs, two join from AHL teams and one from the KHL.
Eight players have competed for the men’s national team before including defencemen Chris Butler, Justin Faulk, Jeff Petry, and forwards Craig Smith, Paul Stastny and Nate Thompson, who were all part of last year’s World Championship team. Stastny also played in the 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
USA Hockey also extended the coaching staff. Sacco will be assisted by Tim Army, Danton Cole and Phil Housley.
Housley, who already served as an assistant coach at the 2011 Worlds, was most recently the head coach of the U20 national team. Army served as an assistant coach in 1994 and 1996 while Cole has worked within the National Team Development Program (U18/U17).
U.S. Preliminary Roster
Goalkeepers: Ben Bishop, Tampa Bay Lightning Cal Heeter, Adirondack Phantoms
Defencemen: Chris Butler, Calgary Flames Matt Carle, Tampa Bay Lightning Justin Faulk, Carolina Hurricanes Matt Hunwick, Colorado Avalanche Jamie McBain, Carolina Hurricanes Jeff Petry, Edmonton Oilers
Forwards: Nick Bjugstad, Florida Panthers Bobby Butler, Nashville Predators Danny Kristo, Hamilton Bulldogs Craig Smith, Nashville Predators Tim Stapleton, HC Dinamo Minsk Paul Stastny, Colorado Avalanche Nate Thompson, Tampa Bay Lightning
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