The United States of America—on top of the hockey world?
Well, not quite. But it is almost there. After winning the World Junior Championship—by defeating the five-time defending champion Canada in a dramatic overtime game—and just falling short to Team Canada at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics in overtime, the USA is closer than ever to being the hockey superpower that AHAUS (American Hockey Association of the United States) desired to become when it was formed in the 20th century.
AHAUS would become USA Hockey that is known throughout the hockey world today. It would develop the US National Developmental Team Program, giving young USA players an opportunity to play against the best young players in the continent, in addition to giving them phenomenal training to prepare them for possible NHL careers.
In fact, the number of Americans NHLers taken in drafts since the lockout has never been lower than 44 (2008 draft). There was even a high of 65 American players taken in the 2007 entry draft. Players such as James van Riemsdyk, Colin Wilson, Patrick Kane and more have been slowly making their way into NHL regulars (or a city savior, in Kane's case) and are showing ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Alan Bass
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