COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – USA Hockey announced that Kyle Palmieri (Smithtown, N.Y./New Jersey Devils/University of Notre Dame) of the New Jersey Devils has been added to the U.S. roster for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
“Kyle brings an all-around game that we’re confident will fit nicely with the framework we’re looking to build,” said Dean Lombardi, general manager of Team USA and also the general manager of the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings. “He’s coming off an outstanding year in New Jersey and will play an important role with our team.”
Palmieri has medaled three times as a member of Team USA, including winning gold at the 2010 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship and bronze at both the 2011 IIHF World Junior Championship and 2008 IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championship.
The forward last appeared for Team USA at the 2012 IIHF Men’s World Championship in Helsinki, Finland, and Stockholm, Sweden, scoring two goals in seven appearances.
Palmieri spent the 2007-08 and 2008-09 seasons as a full-time member of USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program. He scored 44 goals and added 34 assists in 99 appearances for the NTDP.
Palmieri, who will be entering his seventh NHL season and second with the New Jersey Devils in 2016-17, recorded 30 goals, 27 assists and 57 points in 2015-16, all career highs. In 280 career NHL games, he has 146 points, including 73 goals and 73 assists.
Palmieri replaces the injured Ryan Callahan (Rochester, N.Y.) on the U.S. roster.
The 2016 World Cup of Hockey will take place from Sept. 17 – Oct. 1 in Toronto and includes the U.S., Canada, Czech Republic, Europe, Finland, North America and Sweden.
NOTES: Cumulatively, members of the 23-player Team USA roster have captured 31 medals in international competition, with ten players earning gold … The players represent 16 different NHL teams (Anaheim Ducks, Chicago Blackhawks, Colorado Avalanche, Columbus Blue Jackets, Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota Wild, Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils, New York Rangers, San Jose Sharks, St. Louis Blues, Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs, Washington Capitals, Winnipeg Jets) … All players but Dustin Byfuglien have represented the U.S. in international competition previously … Seven players (Justin Abdelkader, David Backes, John Carlson, T.J. Oshie, Max Pacioretty, Joe Pavelski, Blake Wheeler) are alumni of the United States Hockey League … Seven players were full-time members of USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program (Erik Johnson, Jack Johnson, Patrick Kane, Ryan Kesler, Kyle Palmieri, Ryan Suter, James van Riemsdyk) … The U.S. management group for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey includes Dean Lombardi (Ludlow, Mass./L.A. Kings) as general manager; Paul Holmgren (St. Paul, Minn./Philadelphia Flyers) as assistant general manager; Brian Burke (Edina, Minn./Calgary Flames) as senior advisor; and Jim Johannson (Colorado Springs, Colo./USA Hockey) as director of hockey operations … John Tortorella (Boston, Mass./Columbus Blue Jackets) is the head coach of the 2016 U.S. World Cup of Hockey Team, with Mike Sullivan (Duxbury, Mass./Pittsburgh Penguins), John Hynes (Warwick, R.I./New Jersey Devils), Phil Housley (South St. Paul, Minn./Nashville Predators), Jack Capuano (Cranston, R.I./New York Islanders) and Scott Gordon (Easton, Mass./Lehigh Valley Phantoms) serving as assistant coaches … USA Hockey’s international council, chaired by Gavin Regan (Potsdam, N.Y.), vice president of USA Hockey, has oversight responsibilities for all U.S. teams that compete internationally … The World Cup of Hockey is a joint effort of the National Hockey League Players’ Association and the National Hockey League, in cooperation with the International Ice Hockey Federation and its member federations … The World Cup of Hockey has been conducted on two previous occasions (1996, 2004), with the U.S. winning the first edition in 1996.
