Sieloff and Gillies in contention to make USA World Junior team.
Patrick Sieloff grants Team USA another option and another guy who brings a bad attitude to the ice, and that is a compliment. He’s already delivered a host of devastating checks as a part of the Windsor Spitfires and did it a bunch last year at the NTDP. One thing that stands out about Sieloff is how he somewhat altered his game at the Under-18s last season. He made a bigger commitment to sound defensive play than trying to destroy every guy as he crossed the blue line. That allowed him to be a big part of shutting down opposing forwards, and he never really lost his physical edge in the process, just harnessed it.
Jon Gillies has been mostly terrific in his freshman season at Providence. He’s played all but one period for the Friars, and has registered a 5-4-1 record, 2.05 goals-against average and .924 save percentage. He’s also a 1994-born player, which means he’s eligible for the next World Juniors and with a relatively shallow goaltending crop among American 1994 and 1995-borns, the U.S. is likely to need him in 2014. Getting that WJC experience is important, especially when Gibson is the clear guy and the No. 2 goalie might just be along for the ride.
http://unitedstatesofhockey.com/2012...-competitions/