Former Salt Lake resident Steve Konowalchuk has been selected as the team captain for the 2002 U.S. men's national team by USA Hockey.
Team USA begins competition at the 2002 International Ice Hockey Federation world championships today in Sweden against Italy at 7:15 a.m. MDT.
Well-versed in international competition, Konowalchuk most recently represented the United States as a member of the 2000 U.S. men's national team that competed at the IIHF Men's world championship in St. Petersburg, Russia, where he scored two goals and added an assist for three points in seven games.
Last fall, he was invited to the 2001 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Orientation Camp, held Sept. 4-7 in Colorado Springs. He also skated with the championship-winning U.S. squad at the 19 96 World Cup of Hockey. Konowalchuk helped the 1992 U.S. national junior team capture the bronze medal at the 1992 IIHF world junior championship in Germany, scoring four goals in six games.
An 11-year veteran of the National Hockey League, Konowalchuk recorded two goals and 12 assists for 14 points for the Washington Capitals during 2001-02.
Konowalchuk grew up in West Valley City, and attended Kennedy Jr. High before his family moved to Canada to help him further his chances of becoming a professional hockey player. His mother and other family members reside in Utah.