USA Hockey announced that Florida Panthers forward Nick Bjugstad was among fifteen players named to the initial roster that will represent the U.S. Men’s National Team at the 2017 IIHF World Championship.
Joining Bjugstad on the roster will be defenseman Daniel Brickley (Minnesota State University), forward J.T. Compher (Colorado Avalanche), forward Andrew Copp (Winnipeg Jets), defenseman Danny DeKeyser (Detroit Red Wings), forward Christian Dvorak (Arizona Coyotes), forward Jordan Greenway (Boston University), goalie Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg Jets), goalie Jimmy Howard (Detroit Red Wings), forward Dylan Larkin (Detroit Red Wings), forward Anders Lee (New York Islanders), defenseman Connor Murphy (Arizona Coyotes), forward Brock Nelson (New York Islanders), goalie Cal Petersen (Notre Dame), and defenseman Jacob Trouba (Winnipeg Jets).
Bjugstad endured a difficult campaign, playing in just 54 games, posting seven goals and seven assists, his lowest totals in four NHL seasons. His minus-19 rating was also a career-worst. The big, 24-year-old pivot did finish the season on a bit of a high note, scoring twice and adding three helpers in his last ten games. Bjugstad also went plus-3 over that span.
Teams USA, coached by Detroit’s Jeff Blashill, will open Group A play on May 5, against Germany.
In last night’s playoff action, Washington edged Toronto 3-2 in overtime, Nashville shutout Chicago 1-0 and Anaheim squeaked by Calgary, 3-2.