What is the goal of Team USA during the four day training camp in Budapest?
Last year it really helped us to play the Hungarian U20 team, a bigger and stronger team. It was a really good game that was really usefull for us, the score did not really matter. We just wanted our guys to face a bigger and stronger team, and to execute the game plan. We wanted to play the Hungarian U20 team again, we really love the rink and really love Budapest, Hungary treats us great.
How much of an advantage is it to have a training camp in Hungary opposed to in the U.S.?
We had a three day camp in Washington before coming over here. We can get over and become acclimated, this a great facility for us, the city is great for us to bond. We can get them out of their comfort zone. We will play a game against Hungary and then against Slovakia before we start the tournament.
What is the strength of your roster?
I would say the defenceman unit is our strength, our forwards are good as well, we don’t know which line will lead us or have a prolific scorer. However we will have an excellent defence and great goaltending. We know we will need to hustle and out work everyone if we want to win.
Last season you had two excellent goalies, what is the goaltending duo like this time around?
Both goaltenders are really solid, they do not give up too many weak goals, so we are very happy in that area.
Would it be safe to say that the goal of the Ivan Hlinka tournament this season would be to take home the gold?
Yes we can say that. USA hockey has come a long way in recent years for us to say that the goal at any international tournament is to take the gold medal. We have a team that can compete and if things go right we can win the gold and all started here with our first practice.
