Team USA in New Hope this weekend

Hockey fans in Minnesota can see some of the finest players from around the country this weekend as the U.S. National Team Development Program brings its U-17 squad to New Hope for a pair of games against Elite League players.

At 11:30 a.m. Saturday, team Southwest will face the US squad at New Hope Arena. Coach Paul Ranheim's squad earned the right to play Team USA by being in first place in the Elite League after five weeks.

On Sunday at 11:30 a.m., Team USA will face an Elite League select squad made up of players from other (non-Southwest) Elite League teams. The roster for that team is listed below.

Last year the Elite League teams won both games. Team North defeated Team USA 4-0 in the Saturday game, and the Elite League select squad won 4-3 in the Sunday contest.

"We appreciate the national team make the trip to Minnesota and giving us a chance to play these games," said Mike Steinhauser, President of the Elite League board of directors. "It gives Elite League fans a chance to see some tremendous hockey and gives our players the opportunity to take on some of the best players in the nation."

Team USA has players from 10 different states, and 20 of the players on their roster have already made a verbal commitment to a Division-I hockey program. Several players have Minnesota connections, including defenseman Drew Helleson of Farmington, Minnesota, and Ryder Rolston of Birmingham, Michigan, whose father Brian played several seasons with the Minnesota Wild.

Elite League Select Roster