Mueller hoping for World turn

EVERETT – Peter Mueller is looking for a different result this time around.

The Everett Silvertips center said he’s hoping for bigger and better things for himself and Team USA at this year’s World Junior Hockey Championships.

Mueller was a member of the U.S. team that was the pre-tournament favorite at last year’s World Juniors. However, the U.S. faltered, finishing fourth and failing to even earn a medal.

Meanwhile, Mueller, as a 17-year-old, saw limited ice time, primarily being used on the penalty kill. This time around, the Bloomington, Minn., native is determined to make sure the outcome is different.

“It’s a lot bigger for me personally,” Mueller said before departing Sunday, first for two days in Chicago, then for Sweden, where the tournament is being held. “I think it’s going to be a big thing for me, as well as the other guys returning.

“It was very disappointing last year, it still leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. We want to go in there and take it game by game and focus on the little things, not the big things.”

Mueller is being counted on as a team leader this year and is expected to center one of Team USA’s top two lines. His offense will be even more important considering the way the U.S. team was selected this season. Team USA spurned some of its top offensive talent in favor of role players. Among those not invited was winger Bobby Ryan, arguably the best offensive forward available.

“It’s a little different from last year,” Mueller said. “But the World Juniors for the USA hasn’t been doing well. Maybe we’ll go into it with a new role, more gritty and more of an energy-type team. We’ll see what happens.”

Mueller could end up going head-to-head with his Everett teammate as goaltender Leland Irving will play for Canada.

The tournament ends on Jan. 5, and both Mueller and Irving will be given some time off before having to report back to Everett, meaning they won’t play for Everett again until mid-January.