It may be the dog days of summer, but for many young hockey players this is the perfect time of year to prove themselves on the international level.
↵Beau Bennett (Penguins’ 2010 first round pick) and Philip Samuelsson (09’s second rounder) are currently battling for roster positions on Team USA’s U-20 world junior championship squad this winter. The roster is down to 28 players fighting for 22 spots and they’re currently playing Finland and Sweden in some tune up games.
↵Bennett, a forward, and Samuelsson, a defenseman, have gotten jerseys for both games so far; a good indication of their standing on the team. The US has won their first two games; beating Sweden and Finland. each by the score of 6-3. Bennett is the team’s leading scorer with four assists in the two games. Samuelsson has no points and two penalty minutes in his early tournament action.
↵The US will play Finland and Sweden one more time a piece on Friday and Saturday and impressions made here could go a long way to deciding who gets to go to Buffalo and help Team USA defend their U-20 crown.