Helminen, Nystrom Named to U.S. National Junior Team

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- A pair of University of Michigan ice hockey players -- sophomore forwards Dwight Helminen (Brighton, Mich.) and Eric Nystrom (Syosset, N.Y.) -- have been named to the 22-player roster for the 2003 United States National Junior Team that will compete in the 2003 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Junior Championship, USA Hockey announced today (Wednesday, Dec. 4). The World Junior Championship, which features the world's top players under 20 years old, is scheduled for Dec. 26, 2002-Jan. 5, 2003, in Halifax and Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada.

	Helminen		Nystrom

Helminen and Nystrom, two of the three players from the Central Collegiate Hockey Association on the squad, are making a return trip to the World Juniors after helping the U.S. to a fifth-place finish last year in the Czech Republic. Helminen tallied a goal in seven games during the 2002 World Juniors, while Nystrom, who was a late addition to last year's roster, saw action in each contest. The selection of Nystrom and Helminen marks the fifth straight year at least two Michigan players will compete for the U.S. at the World Juniors.

Helminen, an eighth-round draft pick of the Edmonton Oilers in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, currently leads Michigan with six goals and a team-high eight assists for 14 points and paces the nation with a career-high three shorthanded goals. Nystrom, who was selected 10th overall by Calgary in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, has recorded 5-5-10 totals this season and paces the team with four power-play markers.

The duo will be absent for four Michigan games while skating for Team USA, missing two games at the 38th annual Great Lakes Invitational in Detroit (Dec. 28-29) and a two-game CCHA series against Miami (Ohio) at Yost Ice Arena (Jan. 4-5).

The U.S. National Junior Team will open competition in the 2003 IIHF World Junior Championship against the defending champion, Russia, on Dec. 26 at Centre 200 in Sydney.

Following is the schedule for the United States at the 2003 IIHF World Junior Championship:

   Thursday, Dec. 26
   United States vs. Russia, 6 p.m. AST (Centre 200 - Sydney)

   Saturday, Dec. 28
   United States vs. Suitzerland, 4 p.m. AST (Centre 200 - Sydney)

   Monday, Dec. 30
   United States vs. Belarus, 2 p.m. AST (Centre 200 - Sydney)

   Tuesday, Dec. 31
   United States vs. Slovakia, 2 p.m. AST (Centre 200 - Sydney)

Note: Relegation and medal rounds will be conducted from Jan. 2-5 at the Halifax Metro Centre in Halifax.

Contact: Paul Thomas (734) 763-4423

University of Michigan Athletics

Players Mentioned

Dwight Helminen

Eric Nystrom

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