August 7, 2009

By Alex Clark
USAHockey.com

When the 2010 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship rolls around this winter, Team USA’s blue line will have a whole new look. Of the 15 defensemen invited to the 2009 USA Hockey National Junior Evaluation Camp, none were members of last year’s U.S. National Junior Team that finished fifth in Ottawa, Ont.

The new defensive corps here in Lake Placid possesses a strong two-way acumen that could lead to an exciting, quick-striking Team USA in Saskatchewan this December. In fact, several camp invitees converted to the defense position just a few years ago and still carry the offensive know-how of a top forward.

Under-18 gold medalist Cam Fowler is one of the defensemen in the Evaluation Camp.

Aaron Ness (Roseau, Minn. / University of Minnesota) made the switch as a Pee Wee when his dad, former Chicago Blackhawks second-round draft pick Jay Ness, asked him to help out his team’s faltering back end.

“I had to learn where everyone was going to be entering the zone and on breakouts,” said Ness. “It was a pretty big adjustment in the corners, too.”

The move paid off for Ness, who would be named Minnesota’s “Mr. Hockey” in 2008 and who was selected by the New York Islanders in the second round of that year’s NHL Entry Draft.

Meanwhile, John Carlson (Colonia, N.J.) collected big dividends from transitioning to defense as well. The Washington Capitals selected the former Indiana Ice (United States Hockey League) star 27th overall in the 2008 draft, and Carlson earned a spot on the team’s minor-league affiliate, the Hershey Bears, during the 2009 American Hockey League playoffs.

Sacrificing goal-scoring glory for the good of a team doesn’t always seem like a great move for a young teenager.

“I was maybe a little bit disappointed,” said Carlson, who was asked to play defense due to his Pee Wee Major team’s forward depth. “I was young and didn’t know what I was talking about. But I listened to the coach and, obviously, now I’m really happy on defense.”

The offensive knowledge that both players gained at the youth hockey level helped them raise eyebrows among professional scouts.

“That’s always been a big part of my game,” said Ness. “I’m an offensive defenseman, and I want to be that fourth forward jumping up into a play.”

“I like to think that I have a little edge over other defensemen around the net and jumping into the rush,” added Carlson. “Obviously if you play forward you’re offensively gifted, and I think that part helps my game.”

While this year’s National Junior Evaluation Camp includes strong stay-at-home types such as Sean Lorenz (Littleton, Colo. / University of Notre Dame) and Philip Samuelsson (Scottsdale, Ariz.) as well, offensively talented blueliners such as Carlson and Ness hope to ignite Team USA’s scoring rushes and counterattacks this winter. The new 2010 U.S. National Junior Team defense may look a lot like its offense: explosive and dynamic.