EVERETT, Wash. -- United States national junior team coach Mike Hastings learned plenty in a scrimmage that highlighted the afternoon session of USA Hockey selection camp that will determine the roster for the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship at Angel of the Winds Arena on Monday.
"Our defense can move, and I thought we did a good job inside of our structure," Hastings said. "It wasn't a real loose scrimmage where there were a lot of opportunities on either end.
"On the flip side of that coin, I think we can start to get a little bit harder at trying to get more pucks to the net and look for second and third opportunities. That's something we'll try and address and make sure the guys understand this is a difficult tournament to score in, so you got to get pucks into the right areas, and often."
Hastings had brothers Quinn Hughes (Vancouver Canucks) and Jack Hughes (2019 NHL Draft-eligible) on opposite teams during the scrimmage. Jack Hughes was the center on a line with left wing Noah Cates (Philadelphia Flyers) and Tyler Madden (Vancouver Canucks). Quinn Hughes was paired with defenseman Ty Emberson (Arizona Coyotes).
"I thought (Jack) was really good out there," Quinn Hughes said. "I know he's trying to get going. This is the hardest part of the camp; getting to know everyone and getting a feel for everyone's game. Everyone is excited to start playing some games, so the scrimmage was fun."
The camp shifts to Sandman Centre in Kamloops, British Columbia, beginning Tuesday through Thursday. The U.S. will play exhibition games against Russia at Sandman Centre on Thursday (10 p.m. ET), and Czech Republic at George Preston Recreation Centre in Langley, B.C., on Saturday (10 p.m. ET). Hastings will determine his 23-player roster by Sunday.
"To get out there and get our feet under us I think was really fun," Quinn Hughes said. "It's a really good first step for us. I think we have a really smart group of guys, just watching from the bench. I think we're going to have a really smart group."