Dec. 4—GRAND FORKS — UND learned this week that sophomore defenseman E.J. Emery will head to the final U.S. World Junior Championship selection camp.
Emery will leave for camp after UND’s series against Omaha next week, and if he makes the final roster, he will miss the Jan. 2-3 series against Mercyhurst.
Now, UND is waiting to hear Hockey Canada’s roster decisions.
UND coach Dane Jackson said he expects Canada to name its World Junior team on Monday.
The Fighting Hawks have three candidates to make the Canadian World Junior roster. Freshman forward Cole Reschny and freshman defenseman Keaton Verhoeff are the top two. Freshman forward Ollie Josephson has longer odds to make the roster, but he’s been on Hockey Canada’s radar and participated in the summer camp.
If UND (10-4) has any players selected to Hockey Canada’s roster, this weekend’s series at St. Cloud State could be their last with the Fighting Hawks until Jan. 9-10 at Colorado College.
Hockey Canada has indicated it wants its players on Dec. 12 or 13 — the same dates as UND’s home series with Omaha. The Fighting Hawks would no doubt want to have their players for that weekend — even if it’s just for one game — but Hockey Canada will have the final say.
Hockey Canada also is awaiting word on whether a handful of players will be loaned by their NHL teams for the under-20 tournament.
The World Junior Championship is scheduled for Dec. 26-Jan. 5 in St. Paul and Minneapolis.
The Americans need to make two cuts on defense before naming their final roster.
Emery, one of the final cuts last season, is expected to make the team this year.
“He had injuries early and kind of found his way a little bit in the early part of the season, but over the last lengthy stretch, I think he’s been really good,” Jackson said. “If you watch his game closely, he’s penalty-killed very well. His puck touches have been efficient. He’s really playing a sound, two-way game.
“Most people notice the flashy offensive side (of players), but I think coaches and hockey people notice when a guy is holding lines and when a guy is closing down cycles and boxing out in front — those unglamorous things that help win games.”
