Coach of U-23 USA Team Mike Malloy: Every game will be a battle

How challenging was it for you and your colleagues to put together the final roster for the 2023 Junior World Championship in Liberec?'
There are a lot of really talented players, so when it comes to assembling the final roster, tough decisions will always have to be made. The men's tournament circuit A and the NBHL, which has the highest levels in all these different regions, have helped the boys stay at the top of their game. Conditioning and strength are key, and we have emphasized that to the players. All the skills don't matter if you can't get to the ball and win important matches.

How did you select the right players for your team? Were you looking for players who meet certain skills, where the team will focus on playing specific styles? Or do you rely on the individual abilities of your players?
Skills certainly come into play, but there are many other factors to consider. Athletic abilities and fitness are a big part of it. We also take into account how they behave on and off the field, whether they will be good teammates, and what role they can play as part of this team. Winning at the international level requires team chemistry. Every player must be willing to play their role and contribute to the team's success.

How is your team's preparation going so far? What are you focusing on? Is it about tactics or building the sports abilities of your players, such as speed and endurance? What are the strengths of your team?
Team preparation is ongoing. It's a bit challenging to put the whole team together when they are spread out in different areas of the country. The men's tournament circuit and especially the NBHL, which has the highest levels in all these different areas, are helping the boys stay at the top of their game. Conditioning and strength are key, and we have emphasized that to the players. All the skills don't matter if you can't get to the ball and win important matches.

There will be no easy opponents in the tournament. What do you expect from the other participants?
I expect that every team we face will give us their absolute best. We expect that every match will be a battle. Nothing will be easy, and we have told the players to prepare for that. None of these players have won a gold medal before. We have told them that if you want something you've never had, you must be willing to do something you've never done. Preparation for previous tournaments has clearly not been enough. If you want to be better, you have to do more.

What are your ambitions for the tournament? Do you aim to win a medal? What are you willing to sacrifice for a medal?
Our ambition for the tournament is to play disciplined team ball hockey. Our goal is to win a medal in Liberec. We want our players to be willing to sacrifice individual accolades for team success.

Overall, how excited are you about the tournament? What is the mood like in your team?
This is the first world junior tournament in the last 5 years, so it is even more exciting to be a part of it. Most of these players have missed out on opportunities to play in this time frame, and they are hungry to show what they can do on the world stage.

How is this team different compared to the last team your country fielded in the 2018 Junior World Championship in St. Johns?
This team has a deeper roster than the one in 2018, with representation from more areas of the country. I fully expect this group to be a more disciplined team than in 2018. I believe we have emphasized to the players that their ice time depends on it.