Make 4 for 4

In case you missed it Ranger fans got an early Christmas present when a record 4 New York Ranger prospects were named to Team USA Under-20 roster.

Luke Walker of the Portland Winterhawks, Derek Stepan of the Wisconsin Badgers, Ryan Bourque of the Quebec Remparts and Chris Kreider of the Boston College Eagles were all a part of the roster announced earlier today by USA Hockey.

Here is the press release from USA Hockey:

SASKATOON, Sask. - USA Hockey today announced its 22-player roster the 2010 U.S. National Junior Team that will compete at the International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship Dec. 26, 2009-Jan. 5, 2010, in Saskatoon and Regina, Sask.

"This roster includes a significant number of players who have had success in international competition, which will help us as we prepare to play here in Canada," said Jim Johannson, general manager of the 2010 U.S. National Junior Team. "We had some really tough choices to make to get down to 22, but, in the end, that's a positive sign for the state of hockey in our country."

"I'm really excited about this team," said Dean Blais, head coach of the 2010 U.S. National Junior Team. "We have a good mixture of speed and grit, and we look forward to the challenge ahead of us."

Among those named to the 2010 roster are three returning forwards from the 2009 U.S. National Junior Team, including Tyler Johnson (Spokane, Wash.), Danny Kristo (Eden Prairie, Minn./University of North Dakota) and Jordan Schroeder (Prior Lake, Minn./University of Minnesota).

Also highlighting the roster are seven players from the gold medal-winning 2009 U.S. National Under-18 Team, including forwards Ryan Bourque (Boxford, Mass.), Jerry D'Amigo (Binghamton, N.Y./Rensselaer), Jeremy Morin (Auburn, N.Y.) and Jason Zucker (Las Vegas, Nev./U.S. National Under-18 Team); defensemen Cam Fowler (Farmington Hills, Mich.) and John Ramage (St. Louis, Mo./University of Wisconsin); and goalie Jack Campbell(Port Huron, Mich./U.S. National Under-18 Team)

We are still awaiting word as to whether or not Roman Horak has been named to the Czech Republic Under-20 team which would give the Rangers 5 prospects.

Team USA will open the World Under-20 championships against Slovakia on Saturday December 26th at 8PM EDT in a game scheduled to be televised by the NHL Network in the USA.

(Walker /Portland Winterhawks, Stepan/Melody Hasse, Kreider/Dennis Pause, Bourque/Kay Ep)