I think the comparison I made in March holds true: the 2010 IIHF World Championships are to NCAA Basketball’s NIT as the Stanley Cup playoffs are to March Madness. That being said, it’s still a chance to see players forgo yacht and sun bathing time to play just a little more hockey. Team USA named 12 of its members today. Here’s the report from NHL.com.
Florida Panthers goalie Scott Clemmensen and New York Islanders forward Kyle Okposo were among the first 12 players named to the United States squad that will compete at the 2010 IIHF World Championships in Germany from May 7-23.
Clemmensen and Okposo are returning from last year’s tournament team that finished fourth.
Also named were Brandon Dubinsky and Matt Gilroy of the New York Rangers, Eric Nystrom of the Calgary Flames, Edmonton’s Ryan Potulny, the Islanders’ Jack Hillen, Tampa Bay’s Mike Lundin, Anaheim’s Ryan Carter, Toronto’s Christian Hanson and Calgary’s David Moss.