The United States World Junior team announced that three players have been cut from the team before they fly off to Sweden for the tournament later this afternoon.
Forwards Ryan Fitzgerald and JT Compher and defenseman Anthony DeAngelo were sent home.
Compher being cut is a result of injury. He blocked a shot during practice on Monday, and was seen wearing a walking boot after Tuesday night's exhibition game. The fact that he was cut so early in the process means there was no hope he'd have been able to play for the US team in this tournament, and would seem to confirm rumors that his foot is broken.
This is bad news, obviously. Compher has been a huge part of Michigan's success and was presumably a large part of Team USA's plans for the World Juniors. You hate to see a kid get injured, but this piece of news is better:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Compher's teammate, Tyler Motte, told me J.T. sustained a broken left foot and will be out possibly 3-4 weeks. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23wjc&src=hash">#wjc</a></p>— Mike Morreale (@mikemorrealeNHL) <a href="https://twitter.com/mikemorrealeNHL/statuses/413357500637777920">December 18, 2013</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
I have to say, Michigan is having two of the worst months of sporting results in recent memory. Losses, both on the field/court and off, injuries and the whims of 17 year old kids have been cruel to us. It is the exact opposite feeling during and directly after Notre Dame Weekend. Welcome 2014, bring good times with, please.