International Play
Initially Liles was selected to play for Team USA in the 2000 World Junior Championships in Umea, Sweden but suffered an injured shoulder in the last minute of the last exhibition game to rule him out of the tournament. During the 2004–05 NHL Lockout, Liles finally made his international debut when he was recalled prior to his European stint with Islerhohn Roosters as an injury replacement for Hal Gill for the 2004 World Cup. After scoring in his first exhibition game against Russia, he played in 2 games during the World Cup.
His place was retained within Team USA when he was named, along side future teammate Jordan Leopold, as a part of the young nucleus in the squad to appear at the 2005 World Championships. Liles went pointless in 7 games before finishing in 6th place after elimination in the quarterfinals to eventual Gold medalists, the Czech Republic.
During the 2005–06 season, John-Michael was named to the United States Olympic team for the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy. He appeared in all 6 games for the underwhelming United States team recording 2 assists before suffering elimination in a quarterfinal loss to Finland 4-3.
Three years later he returned to the National Team when he was added to play in the 2009 World Championships following Colorado's cellar dwelling season in 2008–09. He finished the tournament with the most points on the team, and second most points for a defenseman in the entire tournament, earning nine points in nine games. Team USA ended up fourth overall, losing the bronze medal to Sweden.
Read more about this topic: John-Michael Liles
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