VICTORIA, B.C. – Penn State will be well represented on the international hockey scene later this month as sophomore Evan Barratt (Bristol, Pa.) and freshman Aarne Talvitie (Espoo, Finland) have each been named to their countries final rosters for the 2019 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship becoming the first duo in program history to earn a spot at the prestigious tournament.
"For the first time ever Penn State fans can watch a pair of Nittany Lions participate in the World Junior Championship," stated head coach Guy Gadowsky. "We're very proud of Evan and Aarne and on behalf of Nittany Nation wish them both the best of luck."
Barratt had a strong camp for Team USA, splitting time between wing and center, he played in one of the two exhibition contests and registered a primary assist as well as a shootout goal as the Americans defeated Russia, 3-2, on December 20. The sophomore was a healthy scratch during USA's 6-2 victory over the Czech Republic on Saturday.
NHL Tonight Preview: Team USA Forwards (Video)
Barratt is one of 18 NCAA players on Team USA's final roster and one of four from Big Ten schools joining Wisconsin's K'Andre Miller and Michigan's Quinn Hughes and Josh Norris.
Barratt is currently tied with teammate Alex Limoges (Winchester, Va.) for the national scoring lead with 29 points on 13 goals and 16 assists in 17 games so far this season.The Pennsylvania native is averaging 1.70 points per game with 11 multi-point efforts and has registered at least one point in all, but three games to begin the 2018-19 season.
Full Team USA Release
Talvitie not only made the Finn's roster, but he will serve as team captain when the puck drops tomorrow evening for the Blue and White. Talvitie joins NCAA standouts Sampo Ranta (Minnesota) and Filip Lindberg (UMass) on Finland's final roster.
"As impressive as it is for Aarne to be selected as captain of team Finland, no one in our program is at all surprised," commented Gadowsky. "Aarne has made an immediate impact on our team as a tough, talented, honest team player, a great teammate and a really fun guy to be around."
The rookie has impressed early in his Penn State career after taking a few games to adjust to the smaller ice and North American style of play, he is currently second among all Big Ten rookies, tied for third nationally, with 16 points in 17 games on five goals and 11 assists.
Both USA and Finland are paired together as part of group B in Victoria, B.C. and begin play on Wednesday, December 26, 2018. Team USA will faceoff with Slovakia at 6:30 p.m. ET before Finland opens with Sweden at 10:30 p.m. ET. Both games will air live on the NHL Network. Barratt and Talvitie will get a taste of each other in the final game of pool play when USA and Finland do battle on New Year's Eve (Dec. 31) with puck drop slated for 10:30 p.m. ET live on the NHL Network.
Full 2019 IIHF WJC Schedule
Penn State returns to action when they travel to Minnesota for a pair of Big Ten contests against the Gophers on January 4-5.