GRAND FORKS, N.D. - University of North Dakota freshman forward Danny Kristo is one of 29 players named to the 2010 U.S. National Junior Team preliminary roster that will participate in a three-day pre-tournament training camp Dec. 17-19 in Grand Forks, announced today by USA Hockey.
The 2010 U.S. National Junior Team will compete at the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Junior Championship, Dec. 26, 2009-Jan. 5, 2010, in Saskatoon and Regina, Saskatchewan.
The training camp will be highlighted with an exhibition game against the Fighting Sioux men's ice hockey team on Dec. 19. Following the camp, a reduced roster will be play the Czech Republic on Dec. 22 in Regina in Team USA's final exhibition game.
Team USA will be coached by former UND head coach and current Nebraska-Omaha head coach Dean Blais.
Kristo is one of three returning players from last year's U.S. National Junior Team. The Eden Prairie, Minn., native has appeared in 14 games this season for UND and is tied for the team lead in scoring with 13 points (five goals, eight assists). He is also tied atop the WCHA freshman scoring race.
On Monday, Kristo was named WCHA Rookie of the Week after capturing most valuable player honors at UND's Subway Holiday Classic with four points in two games. Three of his four points came in a 5-5 tie with top-ranked Miami.
Kristo can become the 29th player to represent UND on the U.S. National Junior roster dating back to 1979. The Sioux hockey program has had 42 participants in the prestigious World Junior Hockey Championship, representing the United States, Canada and Slovakia.
Fighting Sioux at the World Junior Championship
1979: Dave Christian (USA), Tim Mishler (USA), Mike Stone (USA)
1981: Mark Huglen (USA), Craig Ludwig (USA)
1982: Jon Casey (USA), Troy Murray (CAN), James Patrick (CAN)
1983: James Patrick (CAN), Gord Sherven (CAN), Rick Zombo (USA)
1984: Scott Sandelin (USA)
1985: Brad Berry (CAN)
1987: Lee Davidson (USA)
1988: Lee Davidson (USA)
1989: Geoff Smith (CAN)
1990: Jason Herter (CAN)
1991: Chris Gotziaman (USA), Greg Johnson (CAN)
1992: Brad Bombardir (CAN), Marty Schriner (USA)
1994: Toby Kvalevog (USA)
1995: Landon Wilson (USA)
2001: David Hale (USA)
2003: Matt Greene (USA), Matt Jones (USA), Zach Parise (USA), Rastislav Spirko (Slovakia)
2004: Brady Murray (USA), Zach Parise (USA), Rastislav Spirko (Slovakia), Drew Stafford (USA)
2005: Brian Lee (USA), Drew Stafford (USA)
2006: Taylor Chorney (USA), Brian Lee (USA), T.J. Oshie (USA), Jonathan Toews (CAN)
2007: Taylor Chorney (USA), Brian Lee (USA), Jonathan Toews (CAN)2009: Danny Kristo (USA)
- Go Sioux -
