Not all the Blues are stopping with the whole hockey thing just yet: Backes, Oshie Added to 2009 U.S. Men's National Team Roster

Forwards David Backes (Minneapolis, Minn./St. Louis Blues/Minnesota State University Mankato) and T.J. Oshie (Warroad, Minn./St. Louis Blues/University of North Dakota) have been added to the 2009 U.S. Men’s National Team roster it was announced today by USA Hockey.

The U.S. Men’s National Team will compete at the 2009 International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship in Berne and Zurich-Kloten, Switzerland, April 24-May 10.

In his third National Hockey League season, Backes skated in all 82 regular-season games for the St. Louis Blues in 2008-09. He compiled career bests in points (54), goals (31), assists (23), power-play goals (6), shorthanded goals (2) and shots (208). Backes also added one goal and two assists in four playoff games.

Backes is making his third consecutive IIHF Men's World Championship appearance, having played in the tournament in 2007 and 2008. In 2008, he tallied one assist in six games, while he notched three points (1-2) in in seven games in 2007.

Oshie skated in 57 regular-season games with the Blues during his rookie NHL season in 2008-09. His 39 points (14-25) ranked ninth among all NHL rookies and he finished third among rookies in points per game. Additionally, Oshie skated in all four Blues playoff games.

Oshie will be making his first IIHF Men's World Championship appearance. Oshie previously represented the U.S. at the 2006 IIHF World Junior Championship, scoring one goal in seven games.

Team USA will begin play in the 2009 IIHF Men's World Championship Saturday (April 25) at 10:15 a.m. EDT against Latvia. The United States will play two additional preliminary-round games against Austria (April 27) and Sweden (April 29) before the qualification round begins.

Good for the guys.  Now we all have even more reason to follow events in Switzerland (as if following the exploits of Dutchie wasn't enough.)

GO USA!!!!!!!!!