Tambellini, Hunwick Added to Final World Junior Rosters
12/16/2003 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Sophomore forward Jeff Tambellini (Port Moody, B.C.) and freshman defenseman Matt Hunwick (Sterling Heights, Mich.) of the University of Michigan ice hockey team will join their respective countries at the 2004 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championships scheduled for Dec. 26, 2003-Jan. 5, 2004, in Helsinki and Hameenlinna, Finland.
Tambellini is the lone U.S. college player on Canada's final 22-man roster, released Tuesday morning (Dec. 16). Tambellini, who has been practicing with Team Canada since Dec. 12, scored three goals during two exhibition contests, as the Canadian team was pared down to 22 players from 34.
Hunwick, added to the U.S. World Junior roster Monday (Dec. 15), will replace Harvard defenseman Dylan Reese, who cannot attend the tournament due to injury. Hunwick joins Wolverine sophomore goaltender Al Montoya (Glenview, Ill.) on the U.S. squad.
This season, Tambellini leads the Wolverines with nine goals in 16 games. He was the Maize and Blue's leading scorer in 2002-03 with 26-19-45 totals en route to earning Central Collegiate Hockey Association Rookie of the Year laurels. One of just nine players to play in all 18 games this season, Hunwick has tallied four assists as part of Michigan's top blue line pairing.
The Canadian Junior National team will play two exhibition contests prior to the championship, facing Sweden's junior team on Dec. 21 in Marsta, Sweden, before challenging Austria on Dec. 23 in Riihimaki, Finland. Canada opens the 2004 World Junior Championship against Finland on Dec. 26.
Players on the U.S. team will gather in New York City on Dec. 18 before travelling to Finland for an exhibition game against the host country's junior team on Dec. 23 in Hameenlinna. Team USA will open World Junior Championship play against Austria on Dec. 26. USA Hockey's website will carry live audio of every U.S. game during the tournament.
N O T E S
Jeff Tambellini is part of the first father-son duo to represent Canada at the World Junior Championship. Jeff's father, Steve, played in the 1978 World Junior tournament in Prague.
Jeff Tambellini is the third generation of his family to represent Canada in major international competition. His grandfather Addie was a member of the last Canadian amateur squad to win a world championship with the Trail Smoke Eaters in 1961. Jeff also represented Canada in the 2001 World Under-18 Championship.
Matt Hunwick, a product of the U.S. National Team Development Program, participated in the IIHF World Under-18 Championship, and in 2002 won the gold medal with Team USA at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.
Sophomore Al Montoya is poised to start in goal for the U.S. team after Maine goaltender Jimmy Howard was forced to withdraw from the U.S. roster due to injury. Howard, who was a member of last year's World Junior Championship squad, was replaced by Michigan State freshman Dominic Vicari.
Team USA has five representatives from the CCHA: Matt Hunwick (Michigan), Al Montoya (Michigan), Dominic Vicari (Michigan State), Corey Potter (Michigan State) and David Booth (Michigan State).
Hockey Canada WJC Site
USA Hockey WJC Site
Contact: Andrew Ladd (734) 763-4423
