CMJ: Production will make all the difference for America

Nate Lehman, who will lead the U.S. to the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship (WJC), said winning the tournament for the second year in a row would be a big accomplishment, but that’s not what mainly motivates the Americans.

“It’s something that’s always there, it’s always in our thoughts,” Lehman admitted. But last year (in WJC 2021) we talked about it every day and we didn’t succeed. We prepared and worked hard to win the gold and that’s what we’re focusing on now. If we prepare well we are going to play well in the tournament and that’s the main thing we try to do. »

WJC 2022 will be held August 9-20 at Rogers Place in Edmonton. The tournament was originally scheduled to take place from December 26 to January 5, but was postponed after four days of action after players tested positive for COVID-19 and the United States, the Czech Republic and Russia lost their opening-round matches. The results of the December matches will not count when the matches resume.

The United States will be in Group B with Sweden, Germany, Switzerland and Austria in the opening round. Canada, Finland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Latvia will be in Group A.

The United States has won the WJC five times (2004, 2010, 2013, 2017, 2021), but has never won gold two years in a row. Canada was the last team to win back-to-back tournaments, winning every edition of the WJC between 2005 and 2009.

Lehman will enter his 12th season as coach at Providence College in 2022-23. He reached the Frozen Four twice and won the NCAA Championship in 2015.

Four players from the 2021 edition are on the WJC 2022 roster: forwards Brett Berard (New York Rangers) and Landon Slagert (Chicago Blackhawks) and defensemen Brock Faber (Minnesota Wild) and Tyler Kleven (Ottawa Senators). Attacker Matty Beniers (Seattle Kraken) and defender Jack Sanderson (The Senators) participated in the WJC 2021 and they participated in the tournament in December, but they will not be playing when the tournament resumes. Instead, they chose to prepare for their NHL training camp.

“We’re not talking about players who aren’t here,” Lehman said. I’m proud of the guys we have. They all want to represent their country. They are playing for their country and they are going to be a tough team. »

Lehman discussed the matchups, his expectations and which players could make a big impact with NHL.com.

Have you struggled to get your roster together, and how important is it to you to get four players back?

“Our WJC 2023 team was in camp for WJC 2022 (July 24-August 3) and many of these players are here as they are part of the 2023 team. It was great to have both teams there because we got to see some of them. The players are actually from our team. It’s been an interesting process. It’s been difficult to lead two camps, but it’s good to have the rest of the team and evaluate these players. As for our returning players, they’ve been to the tournament before and they’ve been successful there, so they’ll be leaders for us.”

Will goaltenders be the biggest question mark as the tournament approaches? Who are the favorites this time?

“We had two players who stood out during camp in Kaiden Mberego (2023 draft eligible) and Andrew Oke (Detroit Red Wings). Both of these players participated in our pre-tournament games in Edmonton before the tournament began. We will decide after these games. »

Was there a player who surprised you during camp?

“Goalkeeper Andrew Oke surprised us. None of us knew much about him. He has played his best hockey so far with Saginaw in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). To a player who finally joined our camp when we got to know him [le gardien] Drew Commezzo (Blackhawks) isn’t going to be here, he represents a very positive element. »

Do you have an idea who you’ll be playing at center? Can you name your top-6 in attack?

“Our five centers are Dominic James (Blackhawks), Logan Cooley (Arizona Coyotes), Thomas Bordlev (San Jose Sharks), Charlie Strammel (2023 draft eligible) and Redmond Savage (Red Wings). We tried several combinations in attack. The top-6 could be made up of Bordelio, Matthew Niese (Toronto Maple Leafs), Matt Coronado (Calgary Flames) and Cooley. Carter Mazur (Red Wings), Mackie Samoskiewicz (Florida Panthers) and Slagert are also part of the lot. »

If the U.S. wins the World Juniors for the second year in a row…

“We are ruthless. Our team must be united, play as a team, and stand idly by. They must continue to be held accountable. »

Entering your 12th season as coach at Providence. Do you always see college rankings or are you open to other opportunities?

“I’ve always been listening. As I said last year, you’re always impressed by what’s done at the highest level. »

Pictures: Mike Gables, USA Hockey