U.S. team snaps up Vees alumni

The Penticton Vees are once again congratulating their alumni as two more crack the U.S. roster.

Mario Lucia of the Notre Dame Wild and Mike Reilly of the Minnesota Blue Jackets were named to U.S.A. Hockey's 23-man roster for the 2013 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship (WJHC) in Ufa, Russia. The two Vees alumni will battle Germany in their first tournament game for the team.

Last season, the two played their first and only season in the BCHL, helping guide the Vees to their second national championship and first in 26 years. Lucia and Reilly are the first Vees alumni to play for the United States at the WJHC.

The 2013 IIHG World Junior Hockey Championship runs Dec. 26 to Jan. 5. Team U.S.A. is in Group B, joined by Canada, Russia, Germany and Slovakia. TSN will air every round-robin game live including their clash with Canada on New Year's eve. Those living outside the country can watch every game live on the NHL Network.