Bensenville, IL (October 29th, 2007) -- The Chicago Steel have announced that defenseman Max Nicastro and forward Drew LeBlanc have been named by USA Hockey for Team USA’s entry at the World Junior A Challenge to be held in British Columbia. They are two of twenty USHL players named to the team.

"On behalf of the USHL and its members, I am honored to congratulate these 20 players on their selection to participate in the World Junior A Challenge.  It is always an honor to represent one's country, and I have no doubt that the players chosen will represent themselves, their teams, the USHL and their country with honor and class," said USHL President Gino Gasparini.

Nicastro is in his first season with the Steel, posting four points (1g, 3a) in seven games.  The Thousand Oaks, CA native was acquired in a trade with the Indiana Ice at the trade deadline last season and previously played for the LA Jr. Kings AAA team.  Nicastro has already committed to Boston University for the 2009-10 season.

LeBlanc was one of the Steel’s Futures Draft selections last October (2006) and joined the Steel late last season after winning a state championship with his high school in Hermantown, MN.  In seven games with the Steel this season, LeBlanc has five points (2g, 3a).  LeBlanc has already committed to St. Cloud State for the 2008-09 season.

"We have a great blend of skill and size and should be a fun team to watch," said P.K. O'Handley, Head Coach of the Waterloo Black Hawks who will be the head coach of the team. "We'll be going against some great competition and our expectations are high." 

O'Handley will be assisted by Des Moines Buccaneers' Head Coach Regg Simon.

The event will be played November 5-11 in Trail, British Columbia and Nelson, British Columbia.  The 2007 World Junior A Challenge will include teams from Belarus, Germany, Russia, the United States and two teams from Canada (East and West).

The United States team will see their first action on Tuesday, November 6 when they play Belarus.  This is the first time that the United States has taken part in the two-year-old event. 

To buy your season tickets, group packages, birthday packages, and individual game tickets in advance please contact the Box Office at (630) 594-1165.