Good news for the first morning in Texas: nobody needed to set an alarm. The bad news: that was due to a 6:00 a.m. wake-up via a loud door knock for COVID-19 testing. The team and staff are regularly tested to ensure the safety of all players and participants at the world championship.
After a morning stretch, with some accommodations made to avoid the Texas rain, and a couple of meals at the hotel, the team was back to Comerica Center – but this time, ‘celly season’ was upon us. The staff at Comerica Center, along with the Dallas Stars Ice Girls and the legendary mascot, Victor E. Green, had a socially-distanced welcome celebration for Team USA as they entered the facility. After the fun entry, it was all business for a two-hour ice session. The players sported some of the latest TRUE Hockey gloves in a slick new red and blue pattern.
The squad, led by head coach Dan Muse (Canton, Mass.), who is making his IIHF head coaching debut, will practice at least once every day up until a two-day quarantine period beginning the night of Monday, April 19. For the latest news on the Under-18 Men’s World Championship, be sure to follow @USAHockey on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.
