Checking in with the Wolverines at World Juniors Camp
12/19/2017 1:33:00 PM | Ice Hockey
• Watch: Ice Hockey Profile: Quinn Hughes
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- University of Michigan ice hockey players Quinn Hughes, Will Lockwood and Josh Norris are currently participating in a pre-tournament camp in Columbus, Ohio from Dec. 15-19. The trio was named to the to the preliminary roster for the 2018 U.S. National Junior Team that will participate in the International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship from Dec. 26, 2016-Jan. 5, 2018, in Buffalo, New York.
Team USA will compete in a pre-tournament game against Belarus on Dec. 20 at the Northwest Arena in Jamestown, New York. They also will train there from Dec. 20-22. Team USA will face off against Sweden in the final pre-tournament game on Dec. 22 at Erie Insurance Arena in Erie, Pennsylvania. From the 28-player preliminary roster, 23 players are expected to be named on Dec. 23.
Hughes, a freshman defenseman, has nine points (1G, 8A) through 14 games and is currently the youngest player in Division I NCAA hockey. He won a gold medal for Team USA this winter in the 2017 Under-18 World Championship in Slovakia.
Q: What is it like putting on that USA sweater?
A: There is nothing that compares to it. It's a true honor and every time I put the jersey on I try my hardest when representing my country.
Q: What's it like teaming up with conference opponents?
A: It's pretty funny to talk with them and hear how things are on the other side. They're all great players, though, and it's fun to play alongside them.
Q: Has Joseph Cecconi (WJC Gold Medalist in 2017) given you any advice?
A: Yes, he has been great. He's been texting me just about every day and has given me great advice on how to handle things at camp and what it takes to win the tournament.
Q: What is your prediction for the Great Lakes Invitational (Jan. 1-2 at Little Caesars Arena)?
A: I think we're going to win the whole thing. I believe everyone will come back from break fired up and ready to prove some people wrong.
Lockwood, a sophomore forward, has 11 points (4G, 7A) through 14 games this season. He won the Hal Downes Trophy as Michigan's most valuable player last year, leading the team in shorthanded and game-winning goals. He was selected by the Vancouver Canucks in the third round (64th overall) of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.
Q: What does it mean to you to represent the Red, White and Blue?
A: It's a tremendous honor. Every time you get a chance to put on the USA sweater it's an incredible feeling -- nothing else compares to it.
From top left: Quinn Hughes, Will Lockwood, Josh Norris (USA Hockey)
Q: What's it like reuniting with former teammates?
A: It is always great reconnecting with old teammates and friends you haven't seen for a while. It's nice to catch up on lost time and see how everyone is doing.
Q: What would it mean to play in the WJC tournament here in the United States on home turf?
A: Playing in the WJC in the States would be incredible. It is a tournament I grew up watching and dreamt about playing in, and to be able to do it in front of a home crowd would make the experience that much better -- something I would never forget.
Q: What was the best advice that Joseph Cecconi gave you heading into camp?
A: Make sure to pack plenty of socks.
Norris, a freshman forward, has eight points (3G, 5A) through 14 games. He also won gold for Team USA in the 2017 Under-18 World Championship in Slovakia. Norris was selected 19th overall by the San Joe Sharks in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.
Q: What is most special about representing the USA?
A: It is always an honor to be able to wear your country's colors and to have the opportunity to represent something bigger than yourself.
Q: With there being an outdoor game on Dec. 29 against Canada at New Era Field, have you had any experience before in playing outdoors?
A:Â I've played in one outdoor game before, but nothing compares to what it would be like to do it against Canada in such a large stadium. It should be a great atmosphere and a lot of fun. Something that I would certainly cherish for the rest of my life.
Q: What has camp been like so far with some familiar faces and new faces?
A: It has been great to be able to reconnect with former teammates and friends but also be able to meet some of the new guys. We've already made some special bonds in the short time. Obviously, they're all great hockey players and it's nice to be playing alongside everyone and learn some new things along the way.
The IIHF World Junior Championship, one of the most highly anticipated hockey events annually, includes the best men's players under the age of 20 from 10 nations around the world. The 2018 event will be conducted from Dec. 26, 2017-Jan. 5, 2018 at KeyBank Center and Harbor Center in downtown Buffalo. The outdoor game, Dec. 29, 2017, will be staged at New Era Field in Orchard Park, New York, home of the NFL's Buffalo Bills.
Team USA has medaled in five of the last eight IIHF World Junior Championships, earning gold in 2010, 2013 and 2017 and bronze in 2011 and 2016.
If selected for Team USA's final roster, Hughes, Lockwood, and Norris would miss the Great Lakes Invitational (Jan. 1-2) and potentially could miss the Friday (Jan. 5) and Sunday (Jan. 7) home-and-home contests against Notre Dame.
