BUFFALO - -Joseph Woll is well aware of what is at stake going forward at the World Junior Hockey Championship.
Not only are the Americans trying to win back-to-back gold medals for the first time in the history of the tournament, but strong performances by Woll between the pipes could mean another invitation from USA Hockey.
On Monday the Americans announced 23 of 25 roster spots for the upcoming Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang next month. Among the players named was just one goaltender, Ryan Zapolski.
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As many as five goaltenders are believed to be in the mix to join Team USA at the Olympics including Woll and his World Junior teammate Jake Oettinger.
“That’s something that’s kind of in the back of your head and obviously when you get a chance to represent your country, at the Olympics, it’s one of the greatest honours you can have in any sport,” Woll said on Wednesday. “That’s something I’m trying not to focus on too much. I’m focusing on the World Juniors right now and I want to get a gold medal here. We’ll leave that for the next couple months.”
The St. Louis, Mo. native is no stranger to wearing his country’s colours. The 19-year-old appeared in two games at last year’s Under-20 tournament posting a1.50 goals against average and .934 save percentage in a pair of wins.
He also helped the Americans win bronze at the 2016 Under-18 Men’s World Championship in Grand Forks, ND.
As he looks to get the start in Thursday’s semifinal meeting with the Swedes, Woll admitted last year’s World Junior experience has helped him through this tournament.
“Having the experience playing in those high pressure games and obviously last year having the experience of winning and what it takes to kind of win those tight games, it’s definitely helped me along the way,” he said.
Woll also has the adversity of the preliminarily round loss to the Slovaks to lean on. He didn’t dress at all the following day as the U.S. edged Canada 4-3 outdoors at New Era Field.
He is 3-1 in the tournament to go along with a .905 save percentage and a 2.26 goals-against average.
“He’s a heck of a goalie talent-wise. He’s really athletic – those are the first things that I draw and I liked how he’s bounced back,” said U.S. coach Bob Motzko. “We’re not dodging any bullets, there’s been a couple, but only a couple, but in a tournament like this, that can change. He’s hunkered right back down and given us a chance in each game. He’s a battler and he’s fighting. He’s fighting tooth and nail to give us a chance to win every night.”
Drafted in the third round (62nd overall) at the 2016 NHL Draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs, Woll is currently in his second season with the Boston College Eagles.
Though his numbers are down this season (.898 save percentage and a 2.90 G.A.A.) through 15 games compared to last season (.913 save percentage and a 2.64 G.A.A.), Woll has seen steady growth in his game.
“I think I’ve gotten a little bit better in the technical aspects of the game,” he said. “Always improving those pieces of the game, but I think I’ve worked to kind of calm my game down a lot and worked on details like reading the play - things are more mental skills in things like that.
“I take as much as I can from what the Leafs want me to work on at development camp and with Mike Ayers at Boston College and Kevin Reiter with the U.S. national program. I think I’ve taken a lot from them.”
The six-foot-four, 202-pound puck stopper hasn’t yet decided on his major, but since he’s taking classes in the school of business at BC, he plans on majoring in finance or leadership management.
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Woll is making his college decisions with life after hockey firmly in mind.
“I think I’m trying to set myself up to stay in the game as much as I can,” said Woll. “Would eventually love to be a general manager or something. The perfect situation would be having a career in hockey and staying in the game after that somewhere in management or something like that. That’d be really cool to experience that side of the game too.”
Woll isn’t too focused on signing with the Leafs and turning pro anytime soon and the Leafs, for the most part, allow Woll to go about his business during the season with little contact.
It helps that Woll plays for Jerry York at BC – a long time friend of Maple Leafs GM Lou Lamoriello.
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“They understand kind of the college process and how the different timing and that takes, how beneficial it is playing college hockey so they’ve been great about that and kind of understanding that path,” Woll said. “They watch and every now and then they’ll reach out. I think they’re good about letting me stay focused on what I need to do in the season. They understand I need to play my game and not think too much.”
Despite not being too worried about turning pro and joining the Leafs, Woll has allowed himself to envision what it would be like to play with his U.S. National Under-18 teammate Auston Matthews in the NHL.
“I think you dream a little bit, and think about the future,” he said. “It’s something you think about. I think it’d be a huge honour to play for one of the most historical teams in the National Hockey League and playing with some of the best young players in the world. Again, it’s something to look at in the future.”