James Van Riemsdyk - International Play

International Play

Van Riemsdyk's first international experience came in the 2007 World Under-18 Championships (U18) in which he played a limited role in winning the gold medal with the United States. In 2006–07, he scored 33 goals and 30 assists for the US Under-18 National Team, and represented the United States at the 2007 World Junior Championships (WJC) in Sweden. He followed up his inaugural WJC by winning the scoring title at the 2007 U18 with 5 goals and 7 assists. He was named to the tournament all-star team, named the top forward, and garnered MVP honours, as the United States won silver, losing against the Russians in the final.

He had a great showing at the 2008 WJC where he led the entire tourney in scoring with five goals and six assists. Despite his efforts, USA did not medal, finishing fourth. However, he was named to the WJC all-star team in 2008. He continued his strong international play with six goals and four assists at the 2009 WJC as the US finished fifth in his final international tournament to date.

Most recently, van Riemsdyk suffered a hit to the head against the Ottawa Senators, by Bobby Butler, a former University of New Hampshire teammate. He played the game, after stating that he wasn't feeling himself. After failing the test, it has been stated that he has gained a concussion after already sustaining two injuries this season, he is out indefinitely. Aside from van Riemsdyk, multiple Flyers players were plagued with concussions during the 2011-2012 season: Claude Giroux, rookies Brayden Schenn and Sean Couturier, and captain Chris Pronger, who missed the majority of the season.