6 Ducks, 1 King to Play for U.S. at World Event

Six Mighty Ducks and one King--goalie Robb Stauber--will play for the United States at ice hockey’s World Championships in Italy beginning next week.

The Americans will be coached by the Ducks’ Ron Wilson, who said Saturday that Duck goalie Guy Hebert, defensemen Sean Hill and Don McSween and forwards John Lilley, Joe Sacco and Tim Sweeney will be in Italy for the tournament April 25-May 8. Stauber is the only King on the team because left wing Mike Donnelly decided not to play.

Wilson will be assisted by Duck assistant Tim Army.

Several King players--left wing Luc Robitaille and defensemen Darryl Sydor and Rob Blake--will play for Canada, as is unsigned Duck draft pick Paul Kariya.

The Kings’ Jari Kurri will play for Finland and defenseman Alexei Zhitnik is to play for Russia, as might Duck goalie Mikhail Shtalenkov.

Duck center Patrik Carnback said he will play for Sweden.

Wilson said the U.S. team faces an uphill battle. “A lot of these teams are still together from the Olympics,” he said. “We get about 2 1/2 hours of practice together before our first game.”