Current and future Denver Pioneers helped the United States win gold in the 2010 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships earlier this month in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
The World Juniors, a tournament that features international teams of players under age 20, is generally considered a showcase for up-and-coming college and professional hockey talent.
Current DU freshman defenseman Matt Donovan of Edmond, Okla., scored three goals over seven games for the American team en route to being awarded all-tournament honors. Donovan was a major contributor for the 2008 American World Juniors team, and garnered all-tournament recognition in that tournament as well. Donovan was selected in the fourth round of the 2008 NHL entry draft by the New York Islanders.
“The World Juniors was an awesome experience, especially defeating Canada for the gold medal,” Donovan says. “We had a great group of guys playing for Team USA, and it was an incredible three weeks of hockey.”
Jason Zucker, a left winger from Las Vegas, scored two goals for the American team. Zucker plans to enroll at DU in the fall. He also became the first Nevadan ever named to the U.S. national team
Team USA defeated Team Canada 6-5 in overtime on Jan 5. The victory was the United States’ second win in the annual tournament.