Team USA selects UM’s Moore, Howard

University of Maine right wing Greg Moore and goalie Jimmy Howard, who are both sophomores, have been selected to play for Team USA in the World Junior Championships in Finland from Dec. 26-Jan. 5.

Sixteen of the 22 players have been chosen and Moore and Howard are among 10 returnees off last year’s World Junior Championships team.

Moore and Howard played in last year’s World Junior Championships.

“It’s one thing to be chosen once in a blue-cheese moon, it’s another to be chosen consistently,” said Maine coach Tim Whitehead.

“They have played on national teams for several years and that’s a great statement about their consistency,” added Whitehead. “Both of them have elevated their games from a year ago and they’re ready to make a very positive impact for the U.S. team this winter.”

The U.S. team went 4-3 and finished fourth in last year’s tourney, which was held in Nova Scotia.

Moore was credited with an assist in seven games and Howard struggled with an 0-2 record and a 6.05 goals-against average, losing the starting job to Providence’s Bob Goepfert.

Howard, who went on to become the Hockey East Rookie of the Year, will be joined in net by Michigan’s Al Montoya.

Howard is currently 2-0 with a 1.00 goals-against average and a .959 save percentage this season while Moore has three goals and three assists in five games.

Howard was a second-round draft choice of the Detroit Red Wings this past summer and Moore was a fifth-round pick of Calgary.

They will miss Maine’s appearance in the Everblades Classic (Fla.) and its game against Vermont in Portland on Jan. 4.