PHOTO BY SCOTT VANKOUGHNETT
KINGSTON – Christmas came early for Guelph Storm goalie Thomas McCollum when he was named the starter for Team USA at this year’s world junior hockey championship tournament in Ottawa.
The first-round draft pick of the Detroit Red Wings, who was cut from last year’s U.S. junior team, beat out fellow Ontario Hockey League goalie and former under-18 teammate Josh Unice for the starting role.
“Tommy has done a great job this year in the OHL,” Team USA goalie coach Jeff Blashill said. “That track record of success leading up to the tournament certainly makes us feel comfortable that given the opportunity to step in, he can do a great job.”
McCollum is excited to be getting his opportunity to play in front of the 18,000-plus fans expected in Ottawa.
“It’s definitely a great feeling being named starter,” McCollum said. “Any time you get to represent your country on a huge stage like this it’s a big honour.”
“That’s something that, for any top goalie, you have to be level headed enough to handle the pressure situations that you’re given.”
Blashill said that the 6-foot-2 McCollum helped his cause by drastically improving his play since he attended the goalie coach’s camp in June.
“Over the course of the summer from that time in June, all the way through the junior camp to now, I think he’s done a great job of improving,” Blashill said. “That has allowed him to become a better goaltender. He has a lot of natural ability and size that he plays really well.”
McCollum is second in the OHL in both goals-against average and save percentage. Blashill feels that it’s McCollum’s ability to stay calm that has contributed to his success.
“That’s something that, for any top goalie, you have to be level headed enough to handle the pressure situations that you’re given,” Blashill said. “Certainly it’s going to be a pressure situation in Ottawa. The fact that he remains very calm through all the ups and downs of a hockey game is very important for us.”
Team USA is attempting to get back into the medals this year after finishing a disappointing fourth last year in the Czech Republic. McCollum has one goal in mind for the tournament.
“Personally, I want to win the gold medal,” he said.
In their first exhibition game, the U.S. dropped Latvia 13-2. McCollum stopped six of the seven shots he faced in his two periods of work.
The U.S. opens the tournament Friday at 3:30 p.m. against Germany.
McCollum and the U.S. will face Team Canada with John Tavares and Cody Hodgson to complete the preliminary round Dec. 31. Tavares and Hodgson combined for four goals and four assists in Canada’s first two exhibition games.
“I know that they’re great players in their own regard so I’ll definitely keep an eye on them when they’re on the ice,” McCollum said.
The U.S. also plays the Czech Republic Sunday and Kazakhstan Dec. 30.
From the Guelph Mercury
Topics: Guelph Storm, Team USA, Thomas McCollum, World Junior Hockey Championships
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