James Van Riemsdyk a Staple for Team USA

At only 19 years old James van Riemsdyk is a staple for Team USA's hockey team. The World Junior Championship is an international hockey event where countries come to compete against the best in the world. The 2008 USA Hockey National Team Evaluation Camp began in the beginning of August, and van Riemsdyk is there to hone his skills for this year's tournament. The tournament will feature teams from Russia, Finland, and Sweden, among others. Van Riemsdyk is a virtual lock to compete in his third tournament, which only a few other Americans have other accomplished.

Most of the time, the tournament is a one and done kind of deal, but for young van Riemsdyk, the experience is invaluable. The tournament takes place this winter, where van Riemsdyk will have the chance to play with some of the best players in the world. Van Riemsdyk is the only player to have played for the 2007 World Junior Championship, and only one of eight players returning from last year's team.

Van Riemsdyk understands his role on the team as a leader. Van Riemsdyk's gritty and physical game will give the US a much needed boost going into the games. He will also be a leader by example as well as in the locker room. Van Riemsdyk was awarded the captain C for the games in Lake Placid where they lost 3-2 to Sweden. He netted a power play goal off of a rebound and played hard all night. Van Riemsdyk knows he has to play at a high level to prove his worth. Every little thing he does right will be seen by the younger players, and his positive influence makes the team play just that much better.

Although van Riemsdyk isn't the only vet in the crew, he plays a huge roll in bringing up the younger players. Defensemen Cam Fowler is playing in his first World Junior Championship, and is just one player who looks up to van Riemsdyk for advice and motivation. Drafted in 2007 2^nd overall by the Philadelphia Flyers, van Riemsdyk is the example for all of the young players to look at.

Coach Ron Rolston knows the importance of van Riemsdyk's play in the tournament. In last year's tournament van Riemsdyk led the team and all other players in the tournament, with 11 points and was named to the tournament all-star team. Coach Rolston will look for the more experienced players to push the pace during this years training camp, giving the young players an idea of how the actual competition may be. Rolston expects great thing out of Team USA this year, and with van Riemsdyk leading the team the US are in good hands.