e public record, Merrill was suspended for the first 12 games of

Jon Merrills rocky road to redemption looks as though it will run right through the 2012 World Junior Championship in Edmonton and Calgary. Jalen Saunders Jersey. The big (6-3, 210-pound) American defenceman, a standout freshman at the University of Michigan last season and a 2010 second-round pick of the New Jersey Devils, is one of 29 players invited to try out this weekend for the U.S. national junior team. And since he is one of eight returnees from last years team, theres every reason to believe hell be on the Americans 22-man official final roster submitted on Christmas Day. Except theres one big difference between Jon Merrill and every other player wholl be at the U.S. camp in Camrose, Alta. -- he hasnt played a single hockey game this season. Merrill has been in a heap of disciplinary trouble that dates back to the end of the 2010-11 school year. For the public record, Merrill was suspended for the first 12 games of this season by the University of Michigan for "violating team rules." But when Merrills 12-game suspension was believed to be over at the end of October -- and it was expected he would begin playing games again -- he was only reinstated to the Wolverines as a practice player. Technically, hes currently a member of the team, able to attend all team functions, workouts and practices but he is still not permitted to play games amid a cloud of uncertainty that involves when or if hell be able to see game action again and exactly what "team rules" he violated. While no one is prepared to publicly specify the nature of the "violations," it is common knowledge within the NHL community that Merrill has been dealing with some off-ice issues. And, in fact, one of the violations occurred while he was already under suspension (during the first 12 games) for a prior violation. The secondary violation is apparently the reason hes still not being permitted, for now, to play any games for Michigan. "Jon is working with the University of Michigan and USA Hockey to get his hockey career, his life and his school work back on track," Merrills family advisor Alec Schall told TSN. Some were surprised when USA Hockey included Merrill on its 29-man invitation list for the final selection camp for the WJC. Merrill hasnt played a game this season because of the disciplinary violations, though hes been practising with the Wolverines since Nov. 1 and doing extra skating with Michigan head coach Red Berenson a few mornings each week Obviously, USA Hockey doesnt perceive Merrill as any sort of risk or threat to the program. USA Hockey is well familiar with him as he was part of its national development program for two years. That said, he was suspended for two weeks in his second year of the U.S. program for an off-ice incident at school. But hes also a big, strong mobile blueliner who can be a standout and impact player at both ends of the ice. "Like all 29 players coming to camp, we feel Jon is a candidate for our team," USA Hockey assistant executive director, hockey operations, Jim Johansson told TSN. "Jon has been reinstated to participate in (University of Michigan) activities...it just happens to not include games yet, but he is an active member of his team." At an earlier Team USA media conference call, Johansson responded to questions about Merrills inclusion as follows: "Weve been in communication with Red Berenson and the University of Michigan. Jons situation at Michigan is that hes being supported by Michigan and his participation with us is being supported by Red and Michigan. That was important for us in Jons involvement and his continued development as a student-athlete. "With us, Jons got a long history in our programs and has performed extremely well for us and carried himself well in everything hes done with us. For him to be involved with us, we, number one, wanted to make sure Michigan was on board with it and they are. Second, can he help our team? We think he can help our hockey team. So that led to his involvment with us. Hes been skating and hes in great shape and should be ready to go, if his playing history carries with him, we expect him to be a big part of this team." What appears to be happening here is both Michigan head coach Berenson and  Team USAs Johansson are apparently rallying around and showing some support for a 19 year old who obviously has had some off-ice problems, perhaps in part because the player himself has shown a commitment to the Michigan program and a desire to work through the issues as opposed to taking the easy way out and quit school. Many players in a similar situation simply would have left Michigan to sign a professional contract with the Devils. Merrill, who had an impressive seven goals and 25 points in 42 games as a freshman for a Michigan team that lost in overtime of the NCAA national championship, is considered a blue-chip NHL prospect. Devils GM Lou Lamoriello has been quoted as being supportive of Michigans disciplinary action against Merrill and Merrills decision to stay in school, but theres no question if he were to leave school, the Devils consider him a valued asset. As long there are no further issues or violations, some believe Merrill could be permitted to play college games at Michigan upon completion of the WJC in early January. But its also believed the final call on allowing him to play games again doesnt rest solely with Berenson but the Michigan athletic department and university administrators as well. In the meantime, Merrill will fly to Canmore tomorrow to join the U.S. team and if, as expected, hes named to the national junior team, hell play his first game of this season on Dec. 26 in Edmonton against Denmark. That, and take his first on-ice strides towards getting his life and career back on track. Calvin Pryor Jets Jersey . The team has signed three-time Pro Bowl free safety Jairus Byrd to a six-year contract worth a reported $54 million with $28 million being guaranteed. nfljetsus.com/Womens-Jace-Amaro-Authentic-Jersey/ . 98 jersey in a game yet, and already its a big seller.CLEVELAND -- The Kansas City Royals needed a big hit. Mike Moustakas delivered it in an 8-2 win Tuesday night over the Cleveland Indians. Moustakas three-run homer was the key blow in a four-run fourth inning as the Royals raised their record to 10-0 when scoring at least four runs. The burst was more than enough for James Shields (2-2), who allowed two runs and struck out nine in six innings in winning his second straight start. "Moose drove one in the seats," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "It was good to see to get on the board like that." "Thats huge," said Shields, who has 21 strikeouts in his last two starts. "Were down 1-0 right there. Moose put a good swing on it and got us the lead." Yost knew his team was in good shape with his ace in charge. "Youve got James Shields on the mound throwing his usual game," Yost said. "Nine punch-outs and combine that with what he did his last start, thats pretty impressive work." Eric Hosmer had four hits, including an RBI double in the seventh. "I really didnt have my best stuff, but I located my fastball when I needed to and I got some early outs," Shields said. "Overall, it was a good outing." Cleveland manager Terry Francona turned 55 years old Tuesday, but the Indians were unable to win a third straight game for the first time this season. "Unfortunately, Shields is pretty much the same every time we see him. With his command and aggressiveness, hes one of the best," Francona said. Danny Salazar (0-3) didnt allow a hit until the fourth, but unraveled quickly when Hosmer led off with a single, the first of five hits in the inning. Billy Butler followed with another single before Salazar retired the next two hitters. Moustakas drove a 1-1 pitch into Kansas Citys bullpen in right field, breaking a 2 for 15 slump. Alcides Escobar followed with another single, stole second and went to third on catcher Yan Gomes throwing error. Jarrod Dysons bunt hit made it 4-1. Salazar didnt get through the fifth. Hosmer doubled with onee out and scored on Butlers double. Calvin Pryor Kids Jersey. Hosmer was 4 for 5. His seventh-inning double gave Kansas City a four-run lead and he added a single in the ninth. "After that big swing from Moose, it loosened everybody up," Hosmer said. "We know anytime Shields is on the mound its not going to take very many runs to get a win." Salazar, who pitched well in 10 starts after being called up last season, hasnt been able to find the same consistency in his first four starts. The right-hander allowed five runs and seven hits in 4 1-3 innings. He struck out six. Shields allowed an unearned run in the second, but held the Indians in check until the sixth. Bourns bases-loaded single put Cleveland ahead. Second baseman Omar Infantes fielding error on Asdrubal Cabreras ground ball started the rally. David Murphy singled and Lonnie Chisenhall was hit by a pitch with two outs. Bourns sharp single to right scored Cabrera. Royals catcher Salvador Perez was 0 for 5 and is hitless in his last 22 at-bats. Cleveland third baseman Carlos Santana is in a 2 for 43 skid after going hitless in four at-bats. The game-time temperature was announced at 50 degrees, but a strong wind made it feel much colder. The crowd of 8,848 barely surpassed the all-time low at Progressive Field of 8,726. NOTES: Royals 1B coach Rusty Kuntz, who suffered a broken left arm during batting practice Monday, will undergo surgery Wednesday at Cleveland Clinic. Kuntz was struck by a line drive hit by Perez. Major league coach Mike Jirschele will fill in for Kuntz for at least the remainder of the series. ... The squirrel that ran on the field during Mondays game brought back memories for Francona when he was managing winter ball in the Dominican Republic. "It was about 15 minutes before the game and there was a goat, a dog and a chicken in centre field," he said. Francona said the intruders were removed by the time the game began. ... Royals LHP Jason Vargas (2-0) faces Indians RHP Justin Masterson (0-0) in the third game of the four-game set Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. ' ' '