Gophers forwards Nick Bjugstad and Zach Budish today were named to the USA Hockey National Junior Evaluation Camp 28-man roster, to compete in a series of exhibition games against Sweden and Finland this week in Lake Placid, N.Y.

Gophers defenseman Mark Alt and 13 other Evaluation Camp hopefuls who competed in a three-game intrasquad series did not make the final cut.

Bjugstad has been the talk of camp. He had a camp-high four goals and five points in the three scrimmages, including three third-period goals to power USA White past USA Blue 8-3 Sunday.

The Gophers' incoming freshman from Blaine High School also had a goal and an assist in USA White's 4-2 win over USA Blue Saturday. "(Bjugstad) is a stud!" USA White goaltender Jack Campbell said in a Facebook private message late Sunday. "So far he has been one of the most impressive players at the camp. He has the combination of size and skill to dominate at a tournament like this." USA players are auditioning to make the U.S. National Junior team that will participate in the 2011 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship on Dec. 26-Jan. 5 in Buffalo, N.Y. "Bjugstad has really been playing great," said defenseman Derek Forbort, a Los Angeles Kings' first-round draft choice and North Dakota recruit, who made the final Evaluation Camp roster. "He uses his size so well and is so dangerous with the puck. "Scrimmages have been good — real up tempo and guys are competing hard. Sweden and Finland are both great teams, so it should be a good test." The Americans open against Sweden at 5 p.m. Tuesday. (See schedule)
"Overall, we have had a great group of players and I am excited to see who is selected to play for this team come December," Campbell said. . . . The Superior International Junior A Hockey League has accepted the Duluth Clydesdales and Wisconsin Wilderness for play starting in 2010-11. Other SIJHL teams include the Fort William North Stars, Dryden Ice Dogs, Fort Frances Lakers and Sioux Lookout Flyers. Former National Hockey Leaguer Butch Williams of Duluth will serve as coach and general manager of the Clydesdales, which will hold tryouts August 27-29 at the Duluth Heritage Sports Center. . . . Northeastern Minnesota prep teams to watch in 2010-11: Section 7AA: Duluth East, Grand Rapids, Cloquet Section 7A: Duluth Denfeld-Central, Virginia, Hibbing, Duluth Marshall Top prospects: F Garrett Hendrickson (Sr., Virginia, St. Cloud State signee), F Jack McFarlane (Sr., Cloquet), F Levi Talarico (So., Denfeld-Central), G Zach Thompson (So., Denfeld-Central), D Nate Repensky (Jr., Duluth East), F Judd Peterson (Jr., Duluth Marshall) and F Conner Valesano (So., Duluth East). Photo -- Nick Bjugstad, 2009-10 Blaine season. Howie Hanson/For StarTribune.com