It’s just one step toward earning the right to wear the Red, White, and Blue.
But for Brian Dumoulin, it’s one very important step.
The Boston College and former Biddeford High standout was named by USA Hockey, Tuesday, to it’s 29-man selection camp for the upcoming World Junior Championships.
Dumoulin will be one of 10 blue liners who will vie for seven available spots on what will be a 22-man roster, When the U.S. begins defense of last year’s WJC Gold Medal, Dec. 26, in Buffalo, N.Y.
“I just need to continue to play the way I’ve been playing,” said Dumoulin. “They picked me for a reason. They know the way I play. I shouldn’t do anything out of my comfort zone. I’m just going to try to bring everything I’ve got to the table. They either like me or they don’t.”
Based on all appearances, the USA Hockey staff likes Dumoulin a lot.
“He plays the game the right way,” said Jim Johannson, USA Hockey team general manager. “He moves well, he defends well. He gets the puck up to the forwards well. We’re excited about those traits in Brian.”
Yale coach Keith Allain, who will serve as bench boss for the USA team, knows Dumoulin well, having watched him and his Eagles teammates knock the Bulldogs out of last year’s NCAA tournament.
It may be a little ironic, then, that Allain has chosen three members of BC’s defense corps ”“ Dumoulin, Phillip Samuelsson, and Patrick Wey ”“ to the selection camp.
“That was one good thing,” said Dumoulin. “We had a very good game against them when we were on our way to winning the National Championship.”
Said Allain, “I think we have to build our team based on who our best players are. And what our best strengths are. Then as you’re game planning for different teams, it’s nice to have versatility in all of our players. And I think that this ‘D’ corps gives us that versatility.”
Team USA will play three tune up contests, including a Dec. 19 date at RPI in Troy, N.Y., before the final WJC roster is named, Dec. 22.
Short of the Stanley Cup and the Olympics, the WJC commands the brightest spotlight on the world’s hockey stage.
— Contact Dan Hickling at dhickling@journaltribune.com.
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
