Gangneung 2017: USA team preview
27.03.2017Twelve players from the team’s 2015 victory return to the ice for the 2017 World Para Ice Hockey Championships.
World and Paralympic champions the USA are hoping for another historic victory at the 2017 World Para Ice Hockey Championships.
In 2015, on home ice in Buffalo, New York, the team registered a 5-0 unbeaten record before claiming the world title with a 3-0 victory over Canada.
Over 13 games played that season they scored 59 goals and conceded only six. They ended 2014-15 unbeaten for the second time in their history.
In the build-up to Gangneung 2017, the USA have had highs and lows. In February 2017 their legendary head coach Jeff Sauer passed away just two months after leading the team to their third consecutive World Sledge Hockey Challenge victory.
Guy Gosselin, the man who worked alongside Sauer during the Sochi 2014 Winter Paralympics and 2012 World Championships where the USA won gold, replaces him.
Among the 17-strong roster representing their country in South Korea, 12 players return from their 2015 title win.
Josh Pauls was named best defenseman in Buffalo, while Adam Page set a new team record of 11 points (5-6) – the most in a World Championships.
Declan Farmer tied former teammate Taylor Lipsett’s record for most goals in a single Worlds with six. Goaltender Steve Cash broke the team record for goals against average (0.27), save percentage (.970) and shutouts (4).
Full roster
Forwards
No.17 – Chris Douglas
No.16 – Declan Farmer*
No.3 – Noah Grove
No.2 – Luke McDermott
No.88 – Kevin McKee*
No.20 – Adam Page*
No.23 – Rico Roman*
No.4 – Brody Roybal*
No.28 – Paul Schaus*
Defense
No.11 – Tyler Carron*
No.5 – Billy Hanning
No.15 – Nikko Landeros*
No.27 - Josh Pauls*
No.8 – Jack Wallace
No.9 – Andy Yohe*
Goaltenders
No.34 – Steve Cash*
No.1 - Bo Reichenbach
*2015 World Championships gold medallist
Live coverage and the game schedule of the 2017 World Para Ice Hockey Championships will be shown live at Gangneung2017.com.
Gangneung 2017 also doubles as the Test Event for the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games. Games will be played at the Gangneung Hockey Centre.
