Bullfrog Defenseman Cook Named to National In-Line Hockey Team

Joe Cook, a defenseman with the Bullfrogs, is among 13 players named to the U.S. national team for the in-line hockey world championships beginning next week in Anaheim.

Cook is one of three Roller Hockey International players on the team. Also selected were Scott Drevitch, a defenseman with the Blades, and Joe Bonvie, a goaltender with the San Jose Rhinos.

Also on the team is former NHL all-star Brian Mullen, who retired in 1994. He and his brother, Joe, the first U.S.-born player to score 500 goals in the NHL, began playing the game on roller skates as kids growing up in the Hell’s Kitchen section of Manhattan.

The U.S. team begins play in the 12-team world championships July 17 against Switzerland. The United States will play Russia July 18, Germany July 19, Canada July 20 and Finland July 21. Those games start at 7:30 p.m. at Disney ICE in Anaheim.

Play continues July 23-25 at the Pond for the top six teams, with the gold-medal game at 7:30 p.m. July 25.