Petry, Hunwick named to Team USA roster for World Championship

By Michael Caples – 

USA Hockey announced the first members of their team for the International Ice Hockey Federation Men’s World Championship today, and two Michigan natives were on the list.

Ann Arbor native Jeff Petry and Warren native Matt Hunwick were two of the 15 players named to the Team USA squad for the prestigious international tournament, which takes place from May 3-19 in Helsinki, Finland and Stockholm, Sweden.

In addition to the two Michigan natives named to the playing roster, Pontiac native and U.S. National Team Development Program coach Danton Cole will be behind the bench as an assistant coach for the American team.

Petry, 25, is in his second full season with the Edmonton Oilers. The former Orchard Lake St. Mary’s and Michigan State star has three goals and nine assists in 46 games with the Oilers this season. Last year, his first full season at the NHL level, Petry recorded two goals and 23 assists in 73 games. Petry played on the U.S. Men’s National Team last season, as well.

Hunwick, 27, is in his fifth full NHL season. After being drafted by the Bruins and playing in parts of four seasons with the club, the former Wolverines star was acquired by the Colorado Avalanche in 2010. This season, Hunwick has six assists in 42 contests, along with a +3 rating. In 290 career NHL games, Hunwick, also a product of the NTDP, has recorded 16 goals and 51 assists, along with 114 penalty minutes.

Cole will be an assistant coach for the National Team for the first time. The Michigan State alum recently completed his third season as head coach of the NTDP squad. Cole coached Team USA to gold in the 2012 IIHF Men’s Under-18 World Championship in Brno, Czech Republic.

More players will be named to the roster as the NHL playoff picture is settled.