The 2016 World Cup of Hockey is coming up in September, and it looks like at least two Eagles will be participating. On Wednesday, all 8 participating teams released their initial 16-man rosters, with more players to be named later. Cory Schneider was named one of the goalies for the United States team, while Johnny Gaudreau was named to "Team North America," one of the U23 All Star teams that are being used to fill out the field on top of hockey powers USA, Canada, Sweden, Finland, Russia and the Czech Republic.
Schneider, who played at BC from 2004-2007 and now stars for the New Jersey Devils, was one of three goaltenders named to the USA initial roster. The other two were also Hockey East alums: Maine's Ben Bishop, and UMass-Amherst's Jonathan Quick. Given Schneider's success this season he may well have a chance to earn the starting job, though you have to think Quick might have the initial edge.
A number of former college hockey stars highlight the initial USA roster, including Ryan Kesler, TJ Oshie, Max Pacioretty, Zach Parise, Joe Pavelski, Derek Stepan and Blake Wheeler. The core of the team is the same group that went to the Olympics in 2014 and disappointed slightly with a loss in the bronze medal game.
Gaudreau was a bit of a long shot to be named to the full national team. You could argue he would have brought a jolt of new energy to the group, with a game well-suited to international competition. But alas, he'll be on the U23 squad, and they should be incredibly fun to watch. Gaudreau will be teamed up with Jack Eichel, Connor McDavid and a number of other young stars, including former UMass-Lowell goalie Connor Hellebuyck.
The World Cup begins on September 17 and will be broadcast on ESPN.