If you missed it, the United States won the World Under-18 Championships last night. They defeated the Russians 5-0 in the Gold Medal contest.
My question is did Ron Rolston save his job with the victory? He was the bench boss for the Under-20 team which had a disappointing finish.
The United States does very well at the Under-18’s because the team is basically intact all season long. I consider that an advantage to every other team in the tournament.
If we look at this tournament, it was the almost the exact situation at the World Juniors. The tournament started off with bad goaltending with Adam Murray (Denver Recruit) having a rocky game against Russia in pool play where the Americans won 6-5.
Unlike the World Juniors, Rolston made a goaltending change and put in the Under-17 goalie Jack Campbell in. Campbell was excellent in the semi-finals against Canada in the 2-1 victory.
Some experts believe the reason why the team won was Campbell. You have to give props to Rolston for putting the less experience goalie in the biggest tournament of the age group.
What’s next for Rolston? He won’t coach the World Junior team next season as USA Hockey has been going back and forth with John Hynes and Rolston the last few years. It will be Hynes’ turn next year. Well he will be coaching the Under-17 next season. I think the biggest thing for Rolston is trying to make sure the top available 1993 born players join the National Program.
The 1993 age group according to every scout across the world is a weak age group in recent years. USA has already lost Colin Jacobs and Shane McColgan to the WHL. Seth Ambroz plays for the Omaha Lancers of the USHL and can’t play for the NTDP because the NTDP is joining the USHL. Rocco Grimaldi, Vince Trocheck, and Cason Hohman also could play in major juniors next season.
If he can’t get these players to commit; I think he will be skating on thin ice.
That’s My Take
