| Top American prospects eligible for the 2020 NHL Draft to compete at USA Hockey Arena Jan. 20 COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – USA Hockey announced today that Scott Gomez (Anchorage, Alaska) and Mike Knuble (Kentwood, Mich.) — both who played on multiple U.S. men’s national teams, including together on the 2006 U.S. Men’s Olympic Team, will serve as the honorary head coaches for the 2020 BioSteel All-American Game. The contest is set for Jan. 20 at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Michigan, with puck drop slated for 7 p.m. ET.The game features top American players eligible for the 2020 NHL Entry Draft and this season, for the first time, the format has players from the U.S. National Under-18 Team of USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program — Team Knuble, taking on the top draft-eligible American-born players from the USHL, the lone Tier I junior league in the United States — Team Gomez.”We’re excited to have Scott and Mike as honorary coaches for this game,” said John Vanbiesbrouck, assistant executive director of hockey operations for USA Hockey. “They both had exceptional careers, and while their playing days are behind them, this game gives us a chance to bring back our former greats and have them involved with the next generation of the top players in our nation.” ABOUT GOMEZ A two-time Stanley Cup champion, Gomez skated 16 seasons in the NHL with the New Jersey Devils (1999-2007, 2014-15), New York Rangers (2007-09), Montreal Canadiens (2009-12), San Jose Sharks (2012-13), Florida Panthers (2013-14), St. Louis Blues (2015-16) and Ottawa Senators (2015-16). Drafted by the Devils in the first round (27th overall) of the 1998 NHL Draft, Gomez helped the franchise to two Stanley Cup titles (2000, 2003) and was awarded the Calder Memorial Trophy his rookie season. During his tenure, Gomez racked up 756 career points (181-575) in 1,079 NHL appearances. A key playoff contender, Gomez tallied 29 goals and 72 assists for 101 points in 149 playoff appearances. Following his playing career, Gomez spent two seasons as an assistant coach with the New York Islanders (2017-19). Along with playing for the 2006 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team, Gomez also represented the U.S. on the international stage in two IIHF World Junior Championships (1998, 1999), and played for Team USA in the 2004 World Cup of Hockey. ABOUT KNUBLE A Stanley Cup champion with the Detroit Red Wings, Knuble enjoyed a 16-year NHL career with the Detroit Red Wings (1996-98), New York Rangers (1998-2000), Boston Bruins (2000-04), Philadelphia Flyers (2005-09, 2012-13) and Washington Capitals (2009-12). Drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the fourth round (76th overall) of the 1991 NHL Draft, Knuble helped the franchise to a Stanley Cup title in 1998, his first full season in the league. In his 16-year stint in the NHL, Knuble registered 548 career points (278-270) in 1,068 NHL appearances. Knuble skated in 10 Stanley Cup Playoffs, registering 14 goals and 16 assists for 30 points in 65 career playoff games. Knuble currently serves as an assistant coach with the Grand Rapids Griffins, the AHL affiliate of the Detroit Red Wings. In addition to being a member of Team USA in the 2006 Olympic Winter Games, Knuble also played in four IIHF Men’s World Chamionships (1995, 1999, 2001, 2005).Joining Gomez behind the bench will be will be a pair of USHL head coaches in Sioux Falls’ Scott Owens and Muskegon’s Mike Hamilton.The U.S. National Under-18 coaching staff will join Knuble behind the bench, including head coach Seth Appert and assistants Brent Darnell, Nick Fohr and Mike Leone.Tickets for the BioSteel All-American Game are currently on sale at the USA Hockey Arena box office or online, here. NOTES: Media wishing to cover the 2020 BioSteel All-American Game should complete the online credential form, found here … To date, 188 alumni of the All-American Prospects Game have been drafted in the NHL, including 44 total first-round selections and a record 31 picks in last year’s NHL Draft … Standouts Jack Eichel (Buffalo Sabres), Noah Hanifin (Carolina Hurricanes), Dylan Larkin (Detroit Red Wings), Seth Jones (Columbus Blue Jackets) and Zach Werenski (Columbus Blue Jackets) are among the current NHL stars that have played in the game previously … The BioSteel All-American Game takes the place of both the USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game and the USHL Top Prospects Game … Previous coaches for the game include Phil Housley and Rob McClanahan in 2012; Mark Johnson and Joe Mullen in 2013;Mike Grier and Eddie Olczyk in 2014; Derek Plante and Jeremy Roenick in 2015; Mark Howe and John LeClair in 2016; Chris Chelios and Brian Leetch in 2017 and Jamie Langenbrunner and Jordan Leopold last year … Previous host sites have included Buffalo, New York, (2012, 2014, 2015, 2017), Minnesota (2018), Pittsburgh (2013) and Philadelphia (2016) … For more information on the BioSteel All-American Game click here. |
