Franklin, Knutson, Kravchenko Named To U.S. Junior Select Team

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO -- USA Hockey has announced their 22-man roster for the 2013 World Junior A Challenge, November 2-10 in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. The roster includes the Sioux Falls Stampede’s top line of C.J. Franklin, Zeb Knutson and Dennis Kravchenko. The trio has combined for 30 points in the first seven games of the season. All 22 players on the roster play in the USHL.

Franklin is tied with Knutson for the team lead with 11 points and a plus-7 rating. The Maple Grove, MN native posted two goals, including the game winner, in last Saturday’s 4-3 overtime win Lincoln. He has eight assists go along with his three goals on the season. Last year, Franklin led the team with 32 goals and a plus-30 rating and finished second the team in points with 60.  He has already committed to play collegiate hockey at Minnesota State-Mankato next season.

Knutson also has 11 points on the season and turned heads around the league when tallied eight goals in his first three games to start the season. He became just the second ever Stampede player ever to record four goals in a game when the tallied four against the Indiana Ice in a 6-5 victory on September 27th. The Sioux Falls native posted 51 points (26g, 25a) in 61 games last season. He has also already committed to Minnesota State-Mankato for the 2014-15 season.

Kravchenko is the Stampede’s top returning scorer for a season ago, recording 63 points (22g, 41a) in 56 games while also posting a plus-14 rating. The San Clemente, CA native has eight points (1g, 7a) and is a plus-4 through the first seven games of this season. The center is committed to the University of Massachusetts.

Team USA has taken home the gold medal in four of the last five years at the World Junior A Challenge and will be coached by Green Bay Gamblers head coach Derek Lalonde. The assistants are Anthony Noreen (head coach of the Youngstown Phantoms) and Mark Abalan (assistant coach at Sioux City).

Team USA faces Canada West in an exhibition game Nov. 2 at 7:00 p.m. ADT. Tournament play begins for the U.S. Nov. 5 vs. Russia at 8:00 p.m. AST. The complete schedule is listed below. All the games can be viewed online via www.fasthockey.com.

DATE  OPPONENT  TIME
Nov. 2 Canada West (exhibition) 6 p.m. ET

Nov. 5 Russia 7 p.m. ET

Nov. 6 Canada East 7 p.m. ET

Nov. 7 Quarterfinals TBD

Nov. 8 Semifinals TBD

Nov. 9 5th/3rd place games TBD

Nov. 10 Championship game 1 p.m. ET

Courtesy:  Sioux Falls Stampede