Chicago Blackhawks prospect Nick Schmaltz scored the opening goal for Team USA against Czech Republic in the 2016 World Junior Championships in Helsinki, Finland.
ROOF DADDY SCHMALTZ. U-S-A! https://t.co/QG8rQvEUwP
— Chief (@BarstoolChief) January 2, 2016
It’s Schmaltz’s second goal in the WJC tournament. He also scored in Team USA’s 10-1 rout of Switzerland on Wednesday.
Schmaltz, a 2014 first-round pick by the Hawks, posted one assist in five tournament games for Team USA, who finished a disappointing fifth in the 2015 tournament. The 19-year-old North Dakota sophomore has tallied three goals and 23 assists in 20 games this season.
Team USA will look to repeat the 2004 team’s feat, winning WJC gold in Helsinki. Team USA has medaled in three of the last six WJCs, winning bronze in 2011 and gold in 2010 and 2013.
Schmaltz isn’t the only Hawks prospect in the tournament. Joni Tuulola (FIN), Gustav Forsling (SWE) and Radovan Bondra (SVK) are also playing. Forsling and Sweden beat the Americans and Schmaltz, 1-0, on Monday.