Gophers Bjugstad, Holl among 44 players at nat'l junior evaluation camp

With the temperature in the 90s every day, it is hard to think about hockey.

But two Gophers will be trying to make a good impression at the national junior evaluation camp starting Saturday and going through Aug. 13 in Lake Placid, N.Y. Center Nick Bjugstad and defenseman Justin Holl of the Gophers are among the 44 players there.

They are trying to make the U.S. team which will compete in the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championships from Dec. 26-Jan. 5 in Calgary and Edmonton.

Nebraska Omaha coach Dean Blais will be the head coach of the team. One of his assistants is Minnesota Duluth coach Scott Sandelin.

Two other Minnesotans at the camp are former UMD defenseman Justin Faulk of South St. Paul and North Dakota defenseman Derek Forbort of Duluth. Faulk turned pro after UMD won the NCAA title.

Also at the camp will be two Wild prospects, forwards Jason Zucker of Denver and Charlie Coyle of Boston University.

Here is the camp schedule:

Sat., Aug. 6

USA Blue Practice 8:00 - 8:45 a.m.
USA White Practice 9:00 - 9:45 a.m.
USA Blue vs. USA White, 3:00 p.m.

Sun., Aug. 7

USA Blue vs. USA White, 3:00 p.m.

Mon., Aug. 8

Tues., Aug. 9

USA Practice 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Wed., Aug. 10

USA Practice 7:00 - 8:00 a.m.
USA vs. Sweden, 3:00 p.m.

Thurs., Aug. 11

USA Practice 8:45 - 9:45 a.m.
USA vs. Finland, 3:00 p.m.

USA Practice 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 p.m.

Sat., Aug. 13