Over the past few years a lot of people have tried to describe Wisconsin defenseman Jake McCabe. He's been characterized as an "old soul," and "wise beyond his years" according to his head coach Mike Eaves. Terms like poise, hockey smarts, and maturity always seem to find their way on his scouting report.
The same qualities that are used to distinguish McCabe are the same ones that epitomize what you're looking for in a leader. It appears that USA hockey feels the same way.
Team USA may not have finalized their roster just yet for the 2013 World Junior Championship, but they've found their captain. On Sunday USA Hockey announced that Badger sophomore Jake McCabe will wear the "C" for the red, white, and blue at the 2013 World Junior Championship.
Alternate captains will be Jacob Trouba (Univ. of Michigan), Seth Jones (Portland, WHL), J.T. Miller (Connecticut, AHL), and Cole Bardreau (Cornell).
The annual tournament features the best under-20 born players in the world, and will take place this year in Ufa, Russia. Competition this season runs from Dec. 26, 2012-Jan. 5, 2013.
USA head coach, and former NHL legend Phil Housley spoke briefly on Sunday about why McCabe was chosen to lead this squad.
"I really liked what he brought in Lake Placid in August," Housley said. "He's just a very calm demeanor in the locker room, on the ice. He says the right things at the right time; I think he can control the locker room."
"He's very mature, probably mature beyond his years."
McCabe is the third player to be named USA captain from Wisconsin in the past four years. Two years ago in Buffalo, N.Y., current Badger captain John Ramage wore the "C" as Team USA skated to a bronze medal. Three years ago former Badger, and current New York Ranger forward Derek Stepan led USA to a gold medal in Saskatchewan, Canada.
The University of Wisconsin has a long history at the World Juniors. Before McCabe, 47 players from the University of Wisconsin had been honored to wear their nations colors at the WJC, many doing so multiple times. Now it's McCabe's turn to carry on that tradition.
McCabe survived a series of cuts along the way in this process. The Eau Claire, Wis. native participated in both the USA festival this summer in Lake Placid, N.Y., and the recent training camp at the MSG training center (home of the N.Y. Rangers).
A two-way mobile defenseman, McCabe is third on the Badgers' in scoring this season with two goals and seven assists for nine points in 16 games. McCabe logs a ton of minutes for Wisconsin, and is one of the most reliable every-night players on the UW roster.
The six-foot-one, two-hundred and five pound McCabe was selected in the NHL draft this summer. The left-handed defenseman was chosen by the Buffalo Sabres in the second round, 44th overall.
Before his time at Wisconsin, McCabe spent two seasons as a member of the U.S. NTDP in Ann Arbor. McCabe was a member of the 2011 United States Under 18 team that won a gold medal at the world championships in Germany.
Wisconsin will also be represented on the coaching staff, and in team management. Former Badger and current Ohio State head coach Mark Osiecki is one of the Team USA assistant coaches. Osiecki was an assistant on the 2010 USA club that won a gold medal in Saskatchewan, Canada. Additionally, former UW player Jim Johannson is Team USA's general manager.
All Team USA games will be broadcast live on the NHL Network, and also shown live online at NHL.com.
The NHL Nework will also broadcast all of Team Canada's preliminary round games, as well as both quarterfinals, both semifinals and both the bronze and gold-medal games, regardless of U.S. participation.
Steve Mears, who handles play-by-play for Pittsburgh Penguins HD Radio, will call all U.S. games in the tournament for the NHL Network, with E.J. Hradek serving as the analyst and Rob Simpson the rink-side reporter.
Wisconsin Badgers to play in the WJC
Jake McCabe (USA) |
2013 |
John Ramage (USA) |
2010 (Gold), 2011 (Bronze) |
Derek Stepan (USA) |
2010 (Gold) |
Jake Gardiner (USA) |
2010 (Gold) |
Ryan McDonagh (USA) |
2009 |
Cody Goloubef (Canada) |
2009 (Gold) |
Kyle Turris (Canada) |
2008 |
Jamie McBain (USA) |
2007 (Bronze), 2008 |
Blake Geoffrion (USA) |
2007 (Bronze), 2008 |
Jack Skille (USA) |
2006, 2007 (Bronze) |
Jake Dowell (USA) |
2004 (Gold), 2005 |
Jeff Likens (USA) |
2004 (Gold), 2005 |
Ryan Suter (USA) |
2003, 2004 (Gold), 2005 |
Dany Heatley (Canada) |
2000 (Bronze), 2001 (Bronze) |
Brad Winchester (USA) |
2000 |
David Tanabe (USA) |
1999 |
Matt Doman (USA) |
1999 |
Dustin Kuk (USA) |
1998 |
Dan Tompkins (USA) |
1995 |
Jim Carey (USA) |
1993 |
Mark Strobel (USA) |
1993 |
Brian Rafalski (USA) |
1992 (Bronze), 1993 |
Chris Tucker (USA) |
1992 (Bronze) |
Sean Hill (USA) |
1990 |
Jason Zent (USA) |
1990 |
Barry Richter (USA) |
1989, 1990 |
Rodger Sykes (USA) |
1989 |
Rob Mendel (USA) |
1988 |
Paul Ranheim (USA) |
1986 (Bronze) |
Scott Mellanby (USA) |
1986 (Silver) |
Mike Richter (USA) |
1985, 1986 (Bronze) |
Gary Suter (USA) |
1984 |
Marty Wiitala (USA) |
1984 |
Tony Granato (USA) |
1983, 1984 |
Jim Johannson (USA) |
1983, 1984 |
Ernie Vargas (USA) |
1983 |
Pat Flatley (Canada) |
1983 (Bronze) |
Tim Thomas (USA) |
1982, 1983 |
Chris Chelios (USA) |
1982 |
Charlie Lundeen (USA) |
1982 |
John Johannson (USA) |
1981 |
Pat Ethier (USA) |
1980, 1981 |
Brian Mullen (USA) |
1980, 1981 |
Lexi Doner (USA) |
1980 |
Todd Lecy (USA) |
1980 |
Peter Johnson (USA) |
1979 |
Ron Griffin (USA) |
1978 |
Scott Lecy (USA) |
1978 |
2013 IIHF World Junior Championship NHL Network-U.S. Schedule
Dec. 26, 2012-Jan. 5, 2013 • Ufa, Russia • Ufa Arena
Date
|
Matchup
|
Time (EST)
|
Replay Time (EST)
|
Live Streaming
|
---|---|---|---|---|
Thurs., Dec. 20
|
USA vs. Sweden* | 12:30 p.m. | -- | -- |
Sat., Dec. 22
|
Finland vs. USA* | 6:00 a.m. | -- | -- |
Wed., Dec. 26
|
Canada vs. Germany Russia vs. Slovakia |
4:30 a.m. 9:00 a.m. |
6:30 p.m. 8:00 p.m. |
|
Thurs., Dec. 27
|
USA vs. Germany | 9:00 a.m. | 8:00 p.m. | NHL.com |
Fri., Dec. 28
|
Slovakia vs. Canada USA vs. Russia |
4:30 a.m. 9:00 a.m. |
5:30 p.m. 8:00 p.m. |
NHL.com |
Sat., Dec. 29
|
Russia vs. Germany | 9:00 a.m. | 5:30 p.m. |
|
Sun., Dec. 30
|
USA vs. Canada Germany vs. Slovakia |
4:30 a.m. 9:00 a.m. |
8:00 p.m. 5:30 p.m. |
NHL.com |
Mon., Dec. 31 |
USA vs. Slovakia Canada vs. Russia |
5:00 a.m. 9:00 a.m. |
8:00 p.m. 5:30 p.m. |
NHL.com |
Wed., Jan. 2
|
Quarterfinal #1 Quarterfinal #2 |
4:00 a.m. 8:00 a.m. |
TBA | TBA |
Thurs., Jan. 3
|
Semifinal #1 Semifinal #2 |
4:00 a.m. 8:00 a.m. |
TBA | TBA |
Sat., Jan. 5
|
Bronze Medal Game Gold Medal Game |
4:00 a.m. 8:00 a.m. |
TBA | TBA |
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