NAHL, NA3HL representing countries at World Championships

December 16, 2013

The representation of the players in the North American Hockey League (NAHL) extends well beyond the United States border in the next few weeks as several players will take time out from their NAHL schedules and teams to represent their home countries in several of the IIHF World Junior Championships that are taking place during the month of December. 

 

A total of nine current NAHL players are representing their home nations at one of three of the U20 World Championships being held in Sweden, Poland and in Great Britain. In addition, two players from the NA3HL are also representing their countries at the World Championships with one in Great Britain and the other in Hungary.

 

The list begins with five players from NAHL clubs playing in the main IIHF World Junior Championships in Malmo, Sweden. Four are playing for Team Germany and one for Team Slovakia at the highest and best 20 and under tournament in the world. The event will be played from December 26 – January 5.

 

Team Germany will be in Group A along with Canada, Czech Republic, Slovakia and the United States.  Playing on Team Germany will be Lukas Laub (Odessa Jackalopes), Lennart Palausch (Aberdeen Wings), Dominik Tiffels (Minnesota Wilderness) and Parker Tuomie (Wenatchee Wild). Playing for Team Slovakia, also in Group A, is Richard Buri (Minnesota Wilderness).  

 

At the Division I-Group A U20 Championships being held in Poland, two NAHL players are represented. Playing for Team Latvia are Kristaps Bazevics (Wichita Falls) and Bruno Birzitis  (Soo Eagles). Through two games Bazevics and Birzitis each have a point and Latvia is 2-0.

 

Meanwhile in Great Britain, two NAHL players both played on Team France as Guillaume LeClerc (Austin Bruins) and Maurin Bouvet (Corpus Christi IceRays) suited up for their home country. LeClerc finished with four points in five games, while Bouvet had two points in five games.

 

Also at the event was Yu Hikosaka of the NA3HL’s Topeka Capitals. Hikosaka led Team Japan in scoring at the event with five points in five games played. 

 

Lastly, Flint Junior Generals and NA3HL forward Reno de Hondt is playing for the Netherlands. He is +1 through one game. 

 

You can follow all the IIHF U20 World Championships here