CAPE BRETON, Nova Scotia - After two days that saw members of the U.S. National Under-17 Team travel from their homes across the country to Ann Arbor, Michigan, to New York City and into northeastern Nova Scotia, it would be safe to assume that fatigue had begun to set in. Overcoming such adversity is nothing new for Team USA, as their conditioning has allowed them to be prepared to take on the world’s best when the 2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge begins on Sunday.

“Kind of got the legs out in the first practice,” said Casey Fitzgerald (North Reading, Mass.), after Team USA finished its second skating session of the day. “I felt tired, but it feels good now. The two practices were needed to get ready for the game against Quebec tomorrow.”

Michael Floodstrand (Hinsdale, Ill.) agreed with his teammate, noting that head coach Don Granato had prepared his team to handle such situations in stride.

“It was tough in the first 10 minutes of the first practice, but Coach did a great job getting us ready and getting our lungs back and we’re going to be ready to go tomorrow,” the 5-8 forward said.

The tournament pits five teams from across the Canadian provinces against some of the best under-17 players from the Czech Republic, Germany, Russia, Sweden and the United States and serves as the elite international competition for the age group. Such significance is not lost on the U.S. players, who feel they will thrive under the bright lights of the international stage.

“It’s different, because we get to play totally within our age group,” said Luke Kunin (Chesterfield, Mo.). “We're used to facing tough, older competition in the USHL. So this will be a great test for us and a measuring stick of where we rank as athletes.”

Floodstrand also acknowledged the weight of the tournament and its competition, but believes the U.S. squad has the fortitude to do battle with anyone in the world.

“Obviously it’s special whenever you get to put on the USA jersey and play another country,” the Harvard University commit said. “It will be great to see some different levels of competition, but we’ve been preparing for this all year and we’re confident in our game.”

Despite the intimidating travel itinerary and looming contests against multiple Canadian squads and a familiar Russian team, the U.S. has experience overcoming even more difficult obstacles to achieve success.

Kunin offered his own outlook on how the team can be successful, commenting that representing the country fuels even the most tired of athletes.

“At the end of the day, pulling on the USA jersey is the greatest motivator in the world,” the right-handed forward said. “We’ll help each other pull together and compete, no question about it.”

In response to the ever-present possibility of falling victim to over-confidence, Fitzgerald quickly asserted that respect for the opponent must be paramount in a tournament like the World U17 Challenge if a team hopes to have success.

“Again, we know who we’re playing against but we also know what it takes to win. Hard work, giving everything we have,” the Boston College commit said. “Playing together and working hard for everyone else in that locker room is what we need to do.”

Team unity has remained a pillar for the U.S. National Under-17 Team throughout the long season. From the first game of the season against the North American Hockey League’s Janesville Jets, it was apparent each member of Team USA was playing for 21 others.

“Clicking so early was huge for our confidence and chemistry as a team,” Floodstrand said. “Obviously coming in we had never played with each other before but everyone got along and we have a bunch of great hockey players on this team and we’ve progressed greatly through the season.”

Ultimately, the U.S. knows it will take a team effort to be successful. Falling back on a cohesive unit, and trusting each player and coach in the locker room in times of need, will set the foundation on which Team USA will launch its campaign when it squares off with Quebec tomorrow night.

“We’re working for each other, we're working for the coaches and we're working for our country,” Fitzgerald said. “United we play, united we win.”