Vanbiesbrouck has tough task in building U.S. roster for World Juniors
GM discusses goaltending, repeat chances in Q&A with NHL.com
The next step in that process for Vanbiesbrouck and Nate Leaman, who returns as coach after helping the United States win the 2021 WJC, starts following the conclusion of the World Junior Summer Showcase on Saturday. The camp, which began July 24 at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Michigan, featured 44 players taking part in practices and games against Sweden and Finland.
The last repeat champion at the WJC was Canada, which won the last of five straight in 2009.
"It's the difficulty of beating a team twice in a tournament," Vanbiesbrouck said. "Bob Motzko returned as coach the year after winning gold in 2017], did a fantastic job, but fell a bit short [third place in 2018]. Repeating is very difficult but we can't focus on one set thing. We can't say we did it this way and need to do it that way again. We have to adapt ... we might have to do it a different way."
The United States has finished first five times but never has won back-to-back championships. The 2022 WJC will be held in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta, from Dec. 26-Jan. 5.
"We're going to be in Red Deer which is a different environment," Vanbiesbrouck said. "We're going to be defending champions and we're going to have a big target on us. Teams are going to come after us hard because we're being looked at as the defending champions. If we weren't the defending champion, we'd be looking at the champion that way."
Vanbiesbrouck discussed his decision to have Leaman return as coach, his assessment of this year's team and more in a Q&A with NHL.com:
**What makes Leaman such an effective coach?**
"He's a great leader. I think he's a winner. He proved it under real tough circumstances [in 2021] and he finds ways to be innovative. He's a good fit for what we're trying to build constantly with USA Hockey and the brand, the style that we're trying to play ... he's a footprint for that. We stop and start, get to the front of the net hard and defend well. When we look at all the coaching groups we've put together, he fits like a glove."
**What impressed you about the players you've had at the WJSS? What are the strengths of the group?**
"I think we've got good team speed, which you have to have in the tournament. We have high-level thinkers and guys who can score, but I really think our strength is going to be our defense. We've got three really strong returners [defensemen
[Jake Sanderson
,
Brock Faber
and
Tyler Kleven
]. When you get a nice return group like that that, you feel strongly about it. When you start getting to the defense corps when choosing a roster
(Chicago Blackhawks) would have made the 2021 WJC] team if he didn't get coronavirus last December during camp. He would have been with our group, would have gotten a game maybe. But I think that we're OK in goal. I feel that Drew is hungry, I really do. I think he's hungry to gain the net, prove himself and win it. I feel strong about that and I think there's a competition behind him [with Tucker Tynan, Aidan Campbell and Kaiden Mbereko]."
**What impresses you about defenseman [Luke Hughes (New Jersey Devils), who will attend the University of Michigan in 2021-22?
"I see a lot more steadiness than any kind of flash. I think he's a very consistent skater. He can maintain his speed for a long shift, period of time, and it's hard to keep your energy up like that. I think that he's extremely smart and he's got his eyes up the ice all the time. Vancouver Canucks defenseman] Quinn [Hughes] is a lot like that, he's got his eyes up and makes good first outlets, looking for a guy in a stretch play. He's in a tough family to jockey for position but I see him with his head and eyes up all the time. And as a guy playing with him, you want to receive a puck from Luke because he's going to find you. I also see him as a top guy on the power play. I think he can play the point. Wherever he goes next he's going to have to adapt to their game, but at the World Juniors he's going to have to defend first, and I think he wants to do that. He adapts quickly, just like brothers [New Jersey Devils forward] Jack [Hughes
(Ottawa Senators) and
Luke Tuch
(Montreal Canadiens) are offensive but also very tough. We want to be a team that's tough on the puck. Not crashing and banging and taking lots of penalties either, so there's a fine line and we know that the international competition is officiated a little bit differently. But we do want that toughness] and we're looking at that very closely."
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