Four LA Kings added to Team USA for IIHF World Championships
The LA Kings will be well represented at this year’s IIHF World Championship as Team USA adds four from LA to their roster.
The 2021 IIHF World Championship tournament is set to kick off May 21st in Riga, Latvia, and roster news for the sixteen teams in the tournament is starting to pour in. Team Canada announced their roster yesterday, and it included three LA Kings: Jaret Anderson-Dolan, Sean Walker, and Gabe Vilardi.
Team USA followed suit today, and it should make Kings fans very happy, as four players from the silver and black have been named to the team. Those four players are Matt Roy, Cal Petersen, Trevor Moore, and Christian Wolanin.
Matt Roy has developed into a top-four defenseman for the LA Kings. A seventh-round pick out of Michigan Tech in the 2015 NHL draft, Roy has become known as a “Steady Eddie” type of defenseman for his defensive prowess. He won’t put up a lot of points, but Team USA will want him on the ice when trying to protect a lead late in the game.
Cal Petersen has emerged as the LA Kings’ number one goaltender this season. Originally slated to share crease duties with Jonathan Quick, Petersen’s play has earned him that number one spot. He has a record of 9-18-5 with a .911 save percentage and a GAA of 2.85 – although his record does not reflect just how good he has been this season. He’ll share Team USA goaltending duties with Jake Oettinger and Anthony Stolarz.
Trevor Moore has been a fantastic surprise for the LA Kings this season and has far exceeded expectations. His tenacity has paid off as he has potted a career-high ten goals this season. Moore has certainly cemented himself in the bottom six of the Kings forward group.
Defenseman Christian Wolanin came to the Kings from the Ottawa Senators in a trade for Michael Amadio. In three games with the Kings, Wolanin did not register a point, but he will provide key defensive depth for Team USA.
A former member of the LA Kings was also named to the roster. Brian Boyle, who was drafted by the Kings in the first round of the 2003 NHL Draft, will be a part of Team USA’s forward group.