Iles Named to U.S. Preliminary Roster for World Juniors

ITHACA, N.Y. -- Cornell men's hockey freshman goaltender Andy Iles has been named to the preliminary roster for the United States team for the 2011 World Junior Championships, USA Hockey announced on Tuesday morning. Iles is one of two goaltenders included on the preliminary roster for the United States, making it likely he will make the final cut for the tournament. 

A total of 29 players were named to the preliminary roster, which will be cut down to 22 on either Dec. 22 or 23 in advance of the United States' pre-tournament game against Norway. Should Iles be included in the final roster, which will become the first Cornell player to take part in the World Junior Championships since Sasha Pokulok was named to Canada's squad in 2006, and the first Cornell player to represent the United States at the tournament since Jean-Marc Pelletier in 1998.

The United States camp convenes on Friday, Dec. 17, in Troy, N.Y. Team USA will practice for two days before playing an exhibition game against Rensselaer, before the camp moves to Rochester, N.Y., for a pair of days, culminating with a pre-tournament game against the Czech Republic on Dec. 21. The Americans will then head to Jamestown, N.Y., to face Norway two days later. The final tournament roster will be announced prior to the exhibition against Norway.

The 2011 World Junior Championships will begin on Sunday, Dec. 26, with four games, including the United States taking on Finland at HSBC Arena, the home of the NHL's Buffalo Sabres. All of Team USA's games will be played at HSBC Arena, with Niagara University's Dwyer Arena also serving as a site for competition during the tournament, which wraps up on Jan. 5, 2011. Yale head coach Keith Allain will serve as head coach for Team USA.

Iles has gotten off to a strong start for the Big Red this season, appearing in seven games, starting six of those, and posting a 2.38 goals-against average and a .907 save percentage to go along with his 2-3-1 record. His inclusion with Team USA for the World Junior Championships means he will miss the Big Red's two games at the Florida College Classic on Dec. 29-30 in Estero, Fla. Mike Garman will backstop the Big Red in those contests, when Cornell faces St. Cloud State on the tournament's opening day before battling either Maine or Miami on day two.