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Four with ‘U’ Ties Named to U.S. Olympic Squad
1/13/2022 2:03:00 PM | Men's Hockey
Ben Meyers, Brock Faber and Matthew Knies along with 'U' alum Aaron Ness will represent the U.S.
MINNEAPOLIS – The Gopher men's hockey program will once again be well represented at the Winter Olympics as USA Hockey has named current University of Minnesota skaters Ben Meyers, Brock Faber and Matthew Knies along with Pride on Ice alum Aaron Ness to the 2022 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team.
The 2022 Olympic Winter Games will take place Feb. 3-20 in Beijing, China. The U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team opens play on Feb. 10 when it faces host China in its first preliminary round game at 7:10 a.m. ECT.
The University of Minnesota has a long and storied presence at the highest level of international hockey with representation at each of the last 21 Winter Olympic Games dating back to 1936. The Maroon & Gold have helped USA Hockey to eight Olympic medals (gold in 1960 and 1980; silver in 1952, 1956, 1972, 2002 and 2010; bronze in 1936).
"There's no greater honor than representing your country at the Olympics, and we're certainly proud that four players from the University of Minnesota are going to get that opportunity this year," Minnesota head coach Bob Motzko said. "Gopher Hockey has a tremendous legacy over the last century, and part of that history is our connection to USA Hockey and some of the most iconic moments in U.S. Olympic history. We look forward to watching this group add to that legacy."
A native of Delano, Minn., Meyers currently leads the Gophers with 23 points (nine goals, 14 assists) in 20 games this season. The junior forward was elevated to serve as a team captain this season after acting as an alternate captain last year as a sophomore. In 88 career games, Meyers has tallied 77 points (31 goals, 46 assists). This will be Meyers' first international competition with USA Hockey.
"With this being my first opportunity to represent the United States at the international level, this is certainly an honor and a dream come true," Meyers said. "It's hard to put into words just how thankful I am, but I'm looking forward to putting on that U.S. jersey and representing my country."
A native of Maple Grove, Minn., Faber is a USA Hockey veteran including back-to-back appearances at the IIHF World Junior Championship. The sophomore defenseman served as an alternate captain for the U.S. National Junior Team this year after helping the team capture a gold medal last year. Faber has tallied 11 points (two goals, nine assists) in 20 games this season and has 23 points (three goals, 20 assists) in 47 career games with Minnesota.
"Playing for the United States at the Olympics is a dream come true, and it is a tremendous honor to be selected by USA Hockey," Faber said. "Representing my country is something I've always been proud of, and I'm excited to fulfill a life-long dream at the Olympics."
A native of Phoenix, Ariz., Knies joined Faber on the U.S. National Junior Team at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship while the forward is in his freshman season with the Maroon & Gold. In 20 games with the Gophers this season, Knies has recorded 20 points (seven goals, 13 assists) to rank second on the team in scoring behind Meyers.
"It's a surreal feeling to be given this opportunity, and I feel very fortunate to have another chance to wear the colors and the crest after the World Junior Championship event was canceled. It's an honor to represent the United States as well as Gopher Hockey at the highest level of international competition, and I'm excited to do so alongside two of my teammates in Brock Faber and Ben Meyers."
A native of Roseau, Minn., Ness spent three seasons with the Gophers and served as an alternate captain in 2010-11. The defenseman played in 111 career games with Minnesota and notched 43 points (six goals, 37 assists) before embarking on a professional career that includes 72 NHL games with the New York Islanders, the Washington Capitals and the Arizona Coyotes. Ness, currently competes with the Providence Bruins in the AHL, previously won a bronze medal with the U.S. National Junior Team at the 2008 IIHF World Junior Championship.
In addition to four players on the U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team, Gophers Strength & Conditioning Coach Cal Dietz will serve in the same role with the U.S. Olympic Women's Ice Hockey Team.
The 2022 Olympic Winter Games will take place Feb. 3-20 in Beijing, China. The U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team opens play on Feb. 10 when it faces host China in its first preliminary round game at 7:10 a.m. ECT.
The University of Minnesota has a long and storied presence at the highest level of international hockey with representation at each of the last 21 Winter Olympic Games dating back to 1936. The Maroon & Gold have helped USA Hockey to eight Olympic medals (gold in 1960 and 1980; silver in 1952, 1956, 1972, 2002 and 2010; bronze in 1936).
"There's no greater honor than representing your country at the Olympics, and we're certainly proud that four players from the University of Minnesota are going to get that opportunity this year," Minnesota head coach Bob Motzko said. "Gopher Hockey has a tremendous legacy over the last century, and part of that history is our connection to USA Hockey and some of the most iconic moments in U.S. Olympic history. We look forward to watching this group add to that legacy."
A native of Delano, Minn., Meyers currently leads the Gophers with 23 points (nine goals, 14 assists) in 20 games this season. The junior forward was elevated to serve as a team captain this season after acting as an alternate captain last year as a sophomore. In 88 career games, Meyers has tallied 77 points (31 goals, 46 assists). This will be Meyers' first international competition with USA Hockey.
"With this being my first opportunity to represent the United States at the international level, this is certainly an honor and a dream come true," Meyers said. "It's hard to put into words just how thankful I am, but I'm looking forward to putting on that U.S. jersey and representing my country."
A native of Maple Grove, Minn., Faber is a USA Hockey veteran including back-to-back appearances at the IIHF World Junior Championship. The sophomore defenseman served as an alternate captain for the U.S. National Junior Team this year after helping the team capture a gold medal last year. Faber has tallied 11 points (two goals, nine assists) in 20 games this season and has 23 points (three goals, 20 assists) in 47 career games with Minnesota.
"Playing for the United States at the Olympics is a dream come true, and it is a tremendous honor to be selected by USA Hockey," Faber said. "Representing my country is something I've always been proud of, and I'm excited to fulfill a life-long dream at the Olympics."
A native of Phoenix, Ariz., Knies joined Faber on the U.S. National Junior Team at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship while the forward is in his freshman season with the Maroon & Gold. In 20 games with the Gophers this season, Knies has recorded 20 points (seven goals, 13 assists) to rank second on the team in scoring behind Meyers.
"It's a surreal feeling to be given this opportunity, and I feel very fortunate to have another chance to wear the colors and the crest after the World Junior Championship event was canceled. It's an honor to represent the United States as well as Gopher Hockey at the highest level of international competition, and I'm excited to do so alongside two of my teammates in Brock Faber and Ben Meyers."
A native of Roseau, Minn., Ness spent three seasons with the Gophers and served as an alternate captain in 2010-11. The defenseman played in 111 career games with Minnesota and notched 43 points (six goals, 37 assists) before embarking on a professional career that includes 72 NHL games with the New York Islanders, the Washington Capitals and the Arizona Coyotes. Ness, currently competes with the Providence Bruins in the AHL, previously won a bronze medal with the U.S. National Junior Team at the 2008 IIHF World Junior Championship.
In addition to four players on the U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team, Gophers Strength & Conditioning Coach Cal Dietz will serve in the same role with the U.S. Olympic Women's Ice Hockey Team.
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