Forward Ryan Hartman is in his second season with the Plymouth Whalers of the Ontario Hockey League. The native of West Dundee, Ill. helped lead the United States National Junior Team to a gold medal at the 2013 World Junior Championship in Ufa, Russia. He was one of three returning players from that team invited to the U.S. National Junior Team selection camp this week in Minneapolis, Minnesota, that will help determine the roster for the 2014 WJC in Malmo, Sweden. Hartman, selected in the first round (No. 30) by the Chicago Blackhawks at the 2013 NHL Draft, had two goals, three points and a plus-4 rating in seven games as a checking-line forward at last season's tournament. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound wing has graciously offered to maintain a blog for NHL.com during the four-day camp at Mariucci Arena on the campus of the University of Minnesota.

Hi all! We just concluded our opening exhibition game here in Mankato against Minnesota State with a 3-2 win in overtime.

I thought we started off a little sloppy but it was our first full game as a unit. I thought as the period went on we got a little better. I thought we lacked a little bit on the power play [1-for-3] and let up two penalty-kill goals [on four chances] so we need to improve special teams, but overall it was a good game.

I thought it was pretty awesome that Hudson [Fasching] was able to get the game-winner, being from the University of Minnesota. I'm sure he had family and friends at the game and to pull a move like that in overtime was pretty cool, especially when you're wearing the USA crest so it's pretty awesome. Everyone in the locker room was pretty proud of him.

Tuesday morning at practice, coach [Don] Lucia just wanted us to get our legs moving with a fast pace. We then did a little power play and penalty kill things.

At the end of practice, we had a little fun just skating around and chatting with each other. We have a good group of guys here; we can joke around with each other and we're becoming a tight group already so that's great to see.

I think I'm beginning to get good chemistry with my linemates the past few days [Jack Eichel andAdam Erne]. That's good considering it's our first time playing together, so I think we've been doing well. We've been with each other the last three practices and we were working the same power play unit on Tuesday, so maybe we can get even more chemistry while working that.

Hello everyone!

So it was disappointing to lose my last game for Plymouth [against the Peterborough Petes] before flying to Minnesota to begin U.S. selection camp Sunday afternoon. Overall, the trip over wasn't too bad, it was a quick flight. The one-hour time change saved me an hour so I didn't lose too much during the day. I got to the rink right away and kind of sat around for a little bit; I felt good really all day and wasn't too tired. I had to wake up early since I forgot to pack [Saturday night] so maybe that's why my eyes are a little bloodshot.

I'll be rooming with forward [Tyler] Motte at the hotel. At the National Team Development Program, I knew him well and worked out and skated with him over the last part during my time with the program.

Once I got on the ice [at Mariucci Arena], I felt good. The legs felt good and everyone looked pretty fast out there so it was good.

Forward Ryan Hartman is in his second season with the Plymouth Whalers of the Ontario Hockey League. The native of West Dundee, Ill. helped lead the United States National Junior Team to a gold medal at the 2013 World Junior Championship in Ufa, Russia. He was one of three returning players from that team invited to the U.S. National Junior Team selection camp this week in Minneapolis, Minnesota, that will help determine the roster for the 2014 WJC in Malmo, Sweden. Hartman, selected in the first round (No. 30) by the Chicago Blackhawks at the 2013 NHL Draft, had two goals, three points and a plus-4 rating in seven games as a checking-line forward at last season's tournament. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound wing has graciously offered to maintain a blog for NHL.com during the four-day camp at Mariucci Arena on the campus of the University of Minnesota.

Hello fans of the World Junior Tournament!

This will be my first of four blog entries for NHL.com this week from U.S. selection camp in Minnesota. I won't be arriving in Minneapolis until Sunday afternoon since I have a game with the Plymouth Whalers against the Peterborough Petes [on Saturday] in Plymouth.

Health wise, I'm fine. I had to sit out [three weeks in November] while they immobilized my wrist just for precautionary reasons. The team really didn't want me playing with a nagging injury but now I'm 100 percent and there are no problems so I'm looking forward to camp.

Everyone in my family is really excited. It's Christmas and this is when our family gathers together to watch this tournament every year; it's tradition. Especially last year, they got up and watched the games from back home and had to get up pretty early [since the tournament was in Russia]. It'll be a little easier this year, as it's not that bad of a time change. But it's a fun time of year and I'm really honored to get a chance to wear the USA sweater again. I know my family is too.