Jr. Blues alumni, Paul Stastny and Chris Butler were both named to the United States National team slated to compete in the IIHF World Championships in Finland and Sweden. Stastny was a member of the 2001-02 team and Butler in 2002-03. Both players went on to the USHL after their year with the Jr. Blues and Denver University, where they played together for a season.
Chris Butler Release:
COLORADO SPRINGS, USA – Defenceman Chris Butler (Calgary Flames) has been added to the U.S. Men's National Team roster for the 2012 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship it was announced by USA Hockey.
The tournament is scheduled for May 4-20, 2012, in Helsinki, Finland and Stockholm, Sweden.
While Butler will be making his debut on the U.S. Men's National Team, he has represented Team USA in the past, playing for the 2006 U.S. National Junior Team.
Paul Stastny Release:
COLORADO SPRINGS, USA – USA Hockey announced he first 18 players that will compete for the 2012 U.S. Men's National Team at the 2012 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship, May 4-20, in Finland and Sweden.
The group includes one goaltender, five defensemen and 12 forwards.
Highlighting the roster are six players with U.S. Olympic or U.S. Men's National Team credentials. Forwards Paul Stastny (Colorado Avalanche) and Bobby Ryan (Anaheim Ducks) and defenseman Jack Johnson (Columbus Blue Jackets) each collected silver medals at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver.
Stastny also played on the 2007 U.S. Men's National Team. Ryan skated on the 2006 U.S. National Junior Team. Johnson has extensive Team USA experience, playing for four U.S. Men's National Teams (2007, '09-11), two U.S. National Junior Teams (2006, '07-bronze medal) and a pair of U.S. Men's National Under-18 Teams (2004-silver medal, '05-gold medal).
