T.J. Galiardi, Former Big Green Forward Joins Team USA

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - Colorado Avalanche forward T.J. Galiardi, who played at Dartmouth, is among 11 players who have been added to the 2010 U.S. Men's National Team that will compete at the International Ice Hockey Federation World Men's Championship, May 7-23, in Cologne, Gelsenkirchen and Mannheim, Germany, it was announced by USA Hockey.

For Galiardi, it will be his first foray into international competition. He previously attended USA Hockey's 2007 U.S. National Junior Evaluation Camp in Lake Placid, N.Y., but was not named to the United States' roster for the 2007 World Junior Championship.

The 6-foot-2, 190-pound forward was born and grew up in Calgary, but is a dual citizen, as his mother is from Phoenix.

Galiardi was one of many young Avalanche players who helped the squad return to the postseason in 2009-10. During his first full NHL campaign, Galiardi tallied 39 points (15g/24a) with a +6 plus/minus rating in 70 contests. Playing many different roles - from penalty killer and defensive stopper to top-line left wing - the forward finished sixth among NHL rookies in points and ranked fifth in both goals (tied) and assists.

He paced all Colorado forwards in short-handed time on ice (3:01) and led all NHL rookies with four short-handed points (1g/3a) - the most by an Avalanche player since 2000-01, when Peter Forsberg and Joe Sakic each recorded six points on the penalty kill.

Galiardi aims to help the United States claim its first medal at the IIHF World Championship since 2004, when Team USA took home the bronze.

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