COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- USA Hockey announced today the first 22 players who will comprise the U.S. Men's National Team for the 2023 IIHF Men's World Championship, May 12-28, in Tampere, Finland, and Riga, Latvia. Former Western Michigan defenseman Ronnie Attard was among those selected for the international competition.

Attard is one of five players making their IIHF World Championship debut. He is joined by Casey DeSmith, Drew O'Connor, Luke Tuch and Sammy Walker. Attard will be part of a rich history of winning when competing for the U.S Men's National Team. The U.S. has finished in the top four of the IIHF Men's World Championship in six of the last nine tournaments with four bronze medals to its credit during that span (2013, 2015, 2018, 2021).

"The depth of our player pool is reflected with our team and we're excited about the group we have to represent our country at the world championship," said Chris Clark, general manager of the 2023 U.S. Men's National Team and also the director of player personnel for the Columbus Blue Jackets and general manager of the Cleveland Monsters. "We've got a great mix of experience and youth and most of our players have represented the U.S. before and know what it takes to be successful at a world championship."

Attard had a phenomenal WMU career, as he played in 94 games while totaling 72 points on 27 goals and 45 assists. In his time with the Broncos, he was named an AHCA All-American on two occasions and was a three-time All NCHC selection, including two First Team honors in 2020-21 and 2021-22. Furthermore, Attard earned the NCHC's Offensive Defenseman of the Year Award in back-to-back seasons (2021 & 2022). 

Now in his professional career, Attard has split time with the Philadelphia Flyers and Lehigh Valley Phantoms. In 17 career NHL games, Attard has tallied four points on two goals and two assists. During the 2022-23 AHL season, Attard was named an All-Star and finished the regular season with 32 points (12 goals and 20 assists) in 68 games. 

Team USA will train in Munich starting Saturday (May 6) and play a pre-tournament game there against Germany on May 9. The U.S. will open play in the IIHF Men's World Championship against host Finland on May 12 in Tampere, Finland, at 4:20 p.m. local time/9:20 a.m. ET. All U.S. games in the tournament will air live on NHL Network.
 

Date	Opponent	Round	Location	Time (Local/ET)
May 9	Germany	Pre-Tournament	Munich, Germany	7:30 p.m./1:30 p.m.
May 12	Finland	Preliminary	Tampere, Finland	4:20 p.m./9:20 a.m.
May 14	Hungary	Preliminary	Tampere, Finland	12:20 p.m./5:20 a.m.
May 15	Germany	Preliminary	Tampere, Finland	4:20 p.m./9:20 a.m.
May 17	Austria	Preliminary	Tampere, Finland	4:20 p.m./9:20 a.m.
May 20	Denmark	Preliminary	Tampere, Finland	12:20 p.m./5:20 a.m.
May 21	France	Preliminary	Tampere, Finland	8:20 p.m./1:20 p.m.
May 23	Sweden	Preliminary	Tampere, Finland	4:20 p.m./9:20 a.m.
May 25	TBD	Quarterfinals	TBD	TBD
May 27	TBD	Semifinals	Tampere, Finland	2:20 p.m./7:20 a.m. OR 6:20 p.m./11:20 a.m.
May 28	TBD	Bronze-Medal Game	Tampere, Finland	3:20 p.m./8:20 a.m.
May 28	TBD	Gold-Medal Game	Tampere, Finland	8:20 p.m./1:20 p.m.