NTDP Under-18 Team ready to take on the world at the Five Nations tourney in Plymouth

By @MichaelCaples –

PLYMOUTH – Dylan St. Cyr said his USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program Under-18 Team has been itching to get back to international competition.

The NTDP U18s get that chance next week when the puck drops on the Under-18 Five Nations tournament at their home in Plymouth.

“We had a long offseason, and I think everybody put in the work,” said St. Cyr, a Northville native and Michigan commit. “We’re excited to see how much it’s going to pay off. First tournament’s at home, so that’s always nice, and we’re really excited to see and showcase what we have here.”

For John Wroblewski, the Five Nations tournament will be his first international experience as head coach of a NTDP squad. The new bench boss for the Under-18 Team – a former NTDP player and assistant coach – is excited for the opportunity.

“I played in a few as a player, I was fortunate enough to also come back and coach in a number of them as an assistant coach, but this one’s special – I think just being on home ice is the newest wrinkle for me and the most special part,” Wroblewski said. “It’s always fun to go to another country and represent yours, but this one, it’s a new level because we’re defending our home soil here.”

The U.S. will welcome Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Finland and Sweden to town for the tournament, which runs from Nov. 1-5. It will be the second Five Nations tournament hosted by USA Hockey Arena, and the second for this particular set of NTDP players.

This year’s U18 Team posted an 11-5 record in international play last year, including a 3-2 record in the Five Nations in Plymouth in February. However, a loss to Russia kept them from winning the tournament, and they placed third in a Four Nations tournament in Slovakia earlier in the season.

The 2016-17 season offers plenty of international opportunities for redemption.

“Obviously we’re excited – we’ve been working for this the whole year now,” said U18 forward Jacob Tortora, a Boston College commit and native of Victor, N.Y. “Last year, we didn’t do good in international tournaments; we want to do better this year.”

Wroblewski said his team is approaching a different set of challenges for the international tournament, as it compares to their USHL and NCAA schedule.

“That’s going to be something that we learn going forward – there’s definitely an ebb and flow to the game that is different,” the NTDP head coach said. “Teams are going to wait on you at some points, they’re going to be real patient with their games in the neutral zone, they’re going to try to slow things down and then jump on you. All these teams can play with pace, whereas usually in the USHL there’s a lot of, “go, go, go.” Same with the NCAA – it’s a big, heavy style of play, whereas in this one, there’s going to be a lot of speed and a lot of dynamic that we’re going to encounter.

“Those are the differences that we’re going to have to master. It’s very interesting how a penalty-ridden game can start to frustrate teams, so we have to be real disciplined with our play as well.”

St. Cyr acknowledged that the stakes are raised when national pride is on the line.

“Any time you can have that international tournament at home, in front of your home fans, and having everybody chanting USA for you, it’s a pretty cool feeling,” the U18 goaltender said. “Any time we have an international tournament, it’s a special moment – I think honestly this time around, it’s going to be a big refresher, and I think we’re going to out here with big hearts and compete for the fans.

“It’s bigger, everything – the chances to the big plays you have to make – everything is scrutinized and put in the spotlight, so I think for sure it’s going to be a lot more special fighting for your country and playing against others.”