COLORADO SPRINGS, United States – Forward Phil Kessel, defenceman Mark Stuart and goaltender Tim Thomas of the Boston Bruins, and Chicago forward Adam Burish were added to the roster of the U.S. national team for the 2008 IIHF World Championship.

Kessel, who played in all 82 regular-season games and recorded 37 points (19-18) for the NHL’s Boston Bruins in 2007-08, joins the national team for the third time, while Thomas, the Bruins’ starting goaltender and a 2008 NHL All-Star Game selection, will make his sixth appearance with Team USA.

Kessel has represented the United States in international competition on six previous occasions and is USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program’s all-time leading scorer with 104 goals and 180 points. He earned the gold and silver medals at the IIHF World U18 Championships in 2005 and 2004, respectively. Kessel is also a two-time member of both the U20 team (2005-06) and the men’s national team (2006-07).

Thomas has worn the colours of Team USA at five previous IIHF World Championships (1995-96, 1998-99, 2005). He backstopped the Bruins to the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2007-08 with 28 wins and career-bests in goals-against average (2.44), save percentage (92.1) and shutouts (3).

Stuart, who will make his World Championship debut, played two years (2000-02) at USA Hockey's national team development program. He captained the U18 Team to its first-ever gold at the 2002 IIHF World U18 Championship and accomplished the same feat as captain at the 2004 IIHF World U20 Championship. Stuart also skated for the Americans at the 2003 IIHF World U20 Championship.

Burish, who captained the University of Wisconsin to the NCAA championship in 2005-06, will represent the United States in international competition for the first time.

USA Hockey also announced that forward Nathan Gerbe (Boston College) and defenceman Matt Gilroy (Boston University) have been invited to the training camp in Portland, Maine. The two will train with Team USA (April 24-30) and will compete in the pre-tournament game against Sweden on Sunday (April 27) at the Cumberland County Civic Center at 7 p.m. (EDT).