The 2012 U.S.National Junior Evaluation Camp came to a close this past Saturday with the United States dropping a 3-2 overtime decision to Finland. Team USA posted a 2-0-1 record in playing twice against Finland's junior team and once against the junior squad from Sweden, following a series of intrasquad scrimmages and an early week scrimmage against Sweden.
In Saturday's defeat defenseman Brady Skjei (pictured), the Rangers first round selection in the 2012 NHL Draft, assisted on the third period goal by Tyler Biggs which forced overtime. Skjei earned the lone assist on the goal, which was scored with just 2:44 left to play in the third period.
The 18 year-old Skjei, who will attend The University of Minnesota this year, played in all three games this past week, recording his lone point on Saturday.
Forward JT Miller, the Rangers top pick in the 2011 NHL Draft, did not play in Saturday's loss to Finland. He did, however, notch a goal and an assist in Thursday's 10-2 trouncing of Sweden. His goal was a power play marker late in the second period. Earlier Miller had earned a secondary assist on an even strength goal. Miller totaled two points (1-1-2) and four penalty minutes in two games last week, as he looks to secure a spot on Team USA's 2013 World Junior Championships roster, one year after representing the United States in the 2012 World Juniors.
Forward Steven Fogarty, who was selected by the Rangers in the third round of the 2011 draft, also played in Saturday's contest with Finland, but was held without a point---though he did get whistled for a slashing penalty late in the game. In the two games he played last week Fogarty was scoreless and had those two penalty minutes. He did score a highlight-reel goal during one of the scrimmages to start camp, however.
Fogarty will be a freshman at The University of Notre Dame this year, while Miller has several options on where he could play. Miller might return to his junior team in Plymouth, play for the Rangers minor league affilate---the Connecticut Whale, or quite possibly could earn a spot on the Rangers NHL roster.
All three Rangers prospects will be further evaluated in the coming months and will learn if they made Team USA's 2013 World Junior Championship roster in mid-December.
Share your thoughts below on the importance of this past week for JT Miller, Brady Skjei, and Steven Fogarty.
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