International Hockey Competition has been an entertaining part of the hockey universe for the last decade or so.  Whether it be a dramatic gold medal game in the Olympics, or the anticipation of the ‘World Cup of Hockey’ coming soon, there is always a form of international hockey being played on many levels at one time or another.  

It is a privilege to represent one’s country on the ice competing with your countrymen in search of a victory that not only singles out a talented team, but solidifies a great country.  This is exactly what Vermont Lumberjacks’ Elite Kieran Webster, and Lynden Lodge will hope to achieve when they leave on January 7th to participate in the IIHF World Junior Tournament taking place in Novi Sad, Serbia.  

“To get to represent your country is a really big honor,” Lodge said.  

“Coming here [to the Lumberjacks] has really changed my game, taught me to be better, and to be tough on the puck.”

Lodge also spoke about his Australian teammates, as well as Kieran Webster, his Lumberjack’s teammate and friend who will be joining him in Serbia.

“We work really well together, and we have a nice team, a great team and I think we have a lot of potential when we play well,” Lodge said.

This will be Kieran Webster’s second IIHF World Junior Tournament appearance, and he is confident that his veteran status will pay dividends.  

“Playing from last year, I have got some experience,” Webster said.  “Coming over to America has taught me some things. Coach Mosso has taught me to be physical, keep my head up, make tight turns and to just be more physical around the puck.”

Webster is excited to make his second tournament appearance.

“I have been waiting all year to represent my country again.  It’s a lot of fun to play at the international level and I’m really looking forward to it,” Webster said.

Head Coach of Vermont Lumberjacks Elite, Jim Mosso, is equally excited for his players to compete on the big stage.

“It’s a great honor for me as their coach to be able to say that I have had an impact on their training, and that he can take that with him to represent his nation,” Mosso said.  “It’s nice to be able to say we have players representing our club on a big stage.  It is going to be a challenge to lose them for the time they are in Serbia, they are good players.”

The IIHF World Junior Tournament will take place on January 17-23, 2016 in Novi Sad, Serbia.