Olczyk, Grier named coaches for AAPG

Wednesday, 09.03.2014 / 11:00 AM

By Mike G. Morreale - NHL.com Staff Writer / 2015 NHL Draft blog

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2015 NHL Draft blog
Olczyk, Grier named coaches for AAPG

NHL on NBC analyst Eddie Olczyk and former NHL player Mike Grier will serve as coaches in the third annual CCM/USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game, which will be held Sept. 25 at First Niagara Center in Buffalo.

Each team will feature some of the top American-born players eligible for the 2015 NHL Draft. Team rosters will be announced at a later date.

Grier spent four of his 14 NHL seasons with the Sabres, including his final two, 2009-11. In 241 games he had 23 goals and 70 points and also 11 points in 31 Stanley Cup Playoff games with the team.

In all Grier, a 1993 ninth-round pick (No. 219) of the St. Louis Blues had 162 goals and 383 points in 1,060 games with the Edmonton Oilers, Washington Capitals, Sabres and San Jose Sharks.

Grier, a native of Detroit, also played three seasons at Boston University. That's the same college where top 2015 draft prospect Jack Eichel will play this season. Eichel, a center, is expected to be one of the top two picks at the 2015 draft and also play a prominent role for the United States at the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship.

Prior to his job with NBC, Olczyk was coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins for two seasons, 2003-04 and 2005-06.

The players selected to compete in the All-American Prospects Game were chosen by USA Hockey in conjunction with NHL Central Scouting.

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CCM/USA HOCKEY ALL-AMERICAN PROSPECTS GAME ROSTER

GOALIES: Ryan Bednard, Johnstown (NAHL); Mike Lackey, USA U-18 (USHL); Ryan Larkin, Michigan (NAHL); Luke Opilka, USA U-18 (USHL)

DEFENSEMEN: Doug Blaisdell, Kitchener (OHL); Nick Boka, USA U-18 (USHL); Brandon Carlo, Tri-City (WHL); Joseph Cecconi, Muskegon (USHL); Tory Dello, Tri-City (USHL); Christian Evers, USA U-18 (USHL); Casey Fitzgerald, USA U-18 (USHL); Grant Gabriele, USA U-18 (USHL); Noah Hanifin, Boston College (H-EAST); Caleb Jones, USA U-18 (USHL); Jack McNeely, Lakeville North (HIGH-MN); Steven Ruggiero, USA U-18 (USHL); Zachary Werenski, Michigan (BIG 10); Spenser Young, Dubuque (USHL)

FORWARDS: Cameron Askew, Moncton (QMJHL); Karch Bachman, Culver Academy (HIGH-IN); Alec Baer, Vancouver (WHL); Paul Bittner, Portland (WHL); Brock Boeser, Waterloo (USHL); Jeremy Bracco, USA U-18 (USHL); Kyle Connor, Youngstown (USHL); Taggert Corriveau, Westminster (HIGH-CT); Jack Eichel, Boston University (H-EAST); Christian Fischer, USA U-18 (USHL); Mike Floodstrand, USA U-18 (USHL); Erik Foley, Cedar Rapids (USHL); Brent Gates, Green Bay (USHL); Jordan Greenway, USA U-18 (USHL); Tanner Laczynski, Chicago (USHL); Connor Moynihan, Halifax (QMJHL); Thomas Novak, Waterloo (USHL); Chase Pearson, Youngstown (USHL); Jack Roslovic, USA U-18 (USHL); Ryan Smith, Green Bay (USHL); Troy Terry, USA U-18 (USHL); Brendan Warren, USA U-18 (USHL); Colin White, USA U-18 (USHL); Dennis Yan, Shawinigan (QMJHL)

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