Ranger prospect Brady Skjei and USA teammate Connor Patrick.
zimbio.com

Team USA will cut down to one roster by Wednesday. Will that include Ranger defenseman Brady Skjei? The 2012 first round pick has yet to register a point but has been steady defensively. Last year, he was one of the final cuts on a team who won gold in Ufa, Russia. Skjei hopes that’s not the case this time around. He discussed that and more in a USA Hockey exclusive interview.

“I think getting that close last year showed me how badly I want to be on the team this year. I think I need to play solid defensively. I don’t think they’re expecting me to put up a bunch of points. But definitely be a shutdown guy. Be hard to play against in the D zone. So be physical and just go and play my game. Hopefully things work out.”

Skjei enters his sophomore year at the University Of Minnesota. He’ll also look to improve on his first season when he posted a goal and two assists with 14 penalty minutes in 36 contests playing in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHL). Getting this experience should only help his development. He can also be followed on Twitter.