NAHL alums highlight U.S. National University Team
December 10, 2014
USA Hockey has announced the 22-man roster for the U.S. Men's National University Team that will compete at the 2015 Winter World University Games. The event is scheduled to take place Feb. 4-14, in Granada, Spain.
The U.S. team is comprised of players from collegiate ice hockey teams affiliated with the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA). 14 of the 22 players are alumni of the NAHL and two are alumni of the NA3HL.
"We're excited about the group of players we selected," said Ashley Bevan, USA Hockey's senior director of adult hockey, who will serve as team leader of the 2015 Men's National University Team. "This is a very skilled, experienced group, and it's fantastic we can take them to Spain to represent the U.S."
Here is a list of NAHL alumni that have been selected to the team:
Billy Balent, forward, Oakland University (Motor City, 2008-11)
Ryan Belonger, forward, Arizona State (St. Louis, 2009-10)
Bobby Bodette, forward, Adrian College (Michigan/Marquette, 2009-12)
Joe Breslin, forward, Ohio University (Toledo NA3HL, 2010-11)
Chris Burkemper, forward, Arizona State (St. Louis, 2010-11)
Jordan Greenberg, forward, University of Oklahoma (Texas/Austin, 2010-12)
Luke Hannon, forward, Liberty University (Marquette, 2007-08)
Michael Harris, forward, Ohio University (Fresno, 2011-12)
Bryce Johnson, forward, University of Oklahoma (Topeka, 2009-10)
Sean Murphy, forward, Arizona State (Soo/Traverse City/Austin, 2010-13)
John Olen, forward, University of Illinois (Janesville, 2010-12)
Connor Schmidt, defense, Arizona State (Traverse City, 2010-11)
Mico Solorzano, defense, University of Oklahoma (Texas, 2009-12)
Jordan Young, defense, Arizona State (Wenatchee, 2009-10)
Joe Olen, goaltender, University of Illinois (Chicago NAHL/NA3HL, 2011-12)
The roster is highlighted by a record seven players returning from the 2013 U.S. Men's National University Team.
NAHL alums John Olen who along with his brother, goaltender Joe Olen, are the first pair of brothers to play on the U.S. Men's National University Team.
NOTES: Men's games will be played at both the Granada Sport Palace and the Mulhacen Pavilion ... To follow Team USA at the Winter World University Games, visit the event page at USAHockey.com and follow @USAHockeyScores on Twitter ... Fifteen different states are represented on the U.S. roster. Illinois and Michigan lead the way with three representatives apiece, while Arizona, New York and Texas each have two. California, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia and Wisconsin each have one ... Arizona State University leads all schools with six representatives, while Ohio University and the University of Oklahoma each have three. The University of Illinois, Iowa State University and Stony Brook University have two apiece. Adrian College, Liberty University, Minot State University, and Oakland University have one representative each.
