Leaverton chosen for Team USA

The Mahoning Valley defenseman is a native of Painesville.
BOARDMAN -- Mahoning Valley Phantoms defenseman Doug Leaverton has been selected to play for Team USA at the Four Nations Cup, from Nov. 10-14 in Slovakia.
The round-robin format includes the best players, ages 17 and under, from the U.S., Russia, Slovakia, and Switzerland.
The U.S. National Under-17 Team will represent the United States as the defending tournament champions. With one of their defenseman injured, U.S. National Under-17 Coach Ron Rolston had a roster spot to fill.
Attributes
"Doug's been on our radar for awhile. He's big and strong and is really developing well with the Phantoms," Rolston said.
"We wanted him because he makes the right decisions and for his strong positional play."
For Leaverton, a native of Painesville, it's an opportunity to prove that he's deserving to represent his country, and that he can skate with the top junior players in the world at his age.
Rolston's perception of the 6-foot-4 blue liner was reconfirmed three weeks ago, when Leaverton recorded a goal and a fight in the Phantoms win over Rolston's Under-17 team.
Leaverton, a junior at Mooney High, has always felt confident in comparing his talent to those currently on the U.S. squad, and viewed it as a personal challenge to perform well against the U.S. earlier this season.
"I think I felt that [pressure] in my first game against them," he said.
His numbers
In 11 games with the Phantoms, Leaverton has a goal and 11 penalty minutes.
"He's worked hard and earned it. It's always nice when guys get recognized individually," Phantoms coach Bob Mainhardt said.
With right wing Matt Quigley out indefinitely with a dislocated shoulder, and left wing Chris Fairbanks (probable) also battling a sore shoulder, the Phantoms have acquired three forwards for this weekend, including Boardman native Zack Skook.
The team has also added Pittsburgh natives Dustin Roux and Tyler Murovich to its roster.