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Princeton University Athletics
Halpern Named to U.S. World Cup Team
June 23, 2004 | Men's Ice Hockey
June 23, 2004
Princeton, N.J. - Former Princeton men's hockey great Jeff Halpern dominated the college ice, thrived in the pros with the Washington Capitals and will now represent America in the 2004 World Cup of Hockey this summer. The Potomac, Md. native was named to Team USA in May and will begin training camp on August 20 at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
Team USA is the defending World Cup champion, winning in 1996 over Canada. This year's tournament begins August 30 and culminates with the championship game held at Air Canada Centre in Toronto on Sept. 14.
"Making this team is such a huge honor," Halpern said. "The World Cup is a tournament that I've followed my whole life. To see what happened in 1996, with the U.S. beating Canada, and to now be a part of that is so special to me.
"The biggest thrill is that I will be playing with the best players in this country and against the best in the world," he continued. "It's another new situation for me so, as clich? as it sounds, I'm hoping just to get in and contribute anyway possible."
A four-year letterwinner and three-time team MVP at Princeton, Halpern ranks first on the school's career games played list, third on the career points list (141) and career assists list (81) and tied for fifth on the career goals list (60). After graduating in 1998, he signed with Washington as a free agent on March 30, 1999. Last season, he led the Capitals in scoring with 19 goals and had career-highs in assists (27) and points (46). It will be Halpern's first appearance in the World Cup although he has represented his country in three World Championships, leading the U.S. to a bronze medal just months ago.