Former Badgers Named to U.S. Select Team
November 04, 2003 | Men's Hockey
Three former Badger men's hockey defensemen, Barry Richter, Jeff Dessner and Dan Bjornlie, have each been named to the 20-man roster for the 2003 United States Men 's National Select Team. The team will play in the 2003 Deutschland Cup, set for Nov. 7-9 in Hannover, Germany. The tournament will also feature national teams from Canada, Germany and Switzerland.
Richter, son of curent UW athletic director Pat Richter, currently skates for EV Zug in Switzerland. A 1993 All-American, Richter played for the Badgers from 1989'93, collecting 156 points in 170 games on the blue line.
Dessner, a 2000 All-American and WCHA Defensive Player of the Year, currently plays for the Cologne Sharks in Germany. In his 135 games played for the UW from 1997'01, Dessner posted 70 points.
Bjornlie, a Badger from 1996'00, calls the German team Riessersee SC his current home. He played 146 games on defense for Wisconsin, recording 10 goals and 50 points during his career.
The team is made up of men playing professionally in Europe and the U.S. minor leagues. Former New York Islander head coach Peter Laviolette has been chosen to coach the team for the tournament.
In 2002, which marked Team USA's inaugural appearance in the event, the U.S. finished in second place with a 2-1-0 mark.
For more information on the team and the tournament, visit www.usahockey.com.
