USA names 28-player WJHC camp roster ahead of gold-medal defense
USA Hockey announced a 28-player world junior camp roster Monday.
Eight players return from last year's gold-medal-winning squad, highlighted by Boston College duo Ryan Leonard and Gabe Perreault, plus Denver defenseman Zeev Buium.
James Hagens, a challenger to go first overall in next summer's NHL draft, also features on the camp roster.
San Jose Sharks first-round pick Quentin Musty is injured and unavailable for Team USA. He has eight goals and 20 points in 11 OHL games this season.
The United States has to trim the roster to 25 players before the tournament begins Dec. 26.
Forwards (15)
| Player | Age | Current Team | NHL Rights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin Burnevik | 19 | St. Cloud State (NCAA) | Ducks |
| Trevor Connelly | 18 | Providence (NCAA) | Golden Knights |
| Cole Eiserman | 18 | Boston Univ. (NCAA) | Islanders |
| James Hagens | 18 | Boston College (NCAA) | 2025 eligible |
| Ryan Leonard | 19 | Boston College (NCAA) | Capitals |
| Oliver Moore | 19 | Minnesota (NCAA) | Blackhawks |
| Danny Nelson | 19 | Notre Dame (NCAA) | Islanders |
| Chris Pelosi | 19 | Quinnipiac (NCAA) | Bruins |
| Gabe Perreault | 19 | Boston College (NCAA) | Rangers |
| AJ Spellacy | 18 | Windsor (OHL) | Blackhawks |
| Teddy Stiga | 18 | Boston College (NCAA) | Predators |
| Brandon Svoboda | 19 | Boston Univ. (NCAA) | Sharks |
| Carey Terrance | 19 | Erie (OHL) | Ducks |
| Joey Willis | 19 | Saginaw (OHL) | Predators |
| Brodie Ziemer | 18 | Minnesota (NCAA) | Sabres |
Five first-round picks make their way onto the American camp roster: Connelly, Eiserman, Leonard, Moore, and Perreault.
Leonard is tied for the NCAA lead in goals with 11 in 13 games. The 2023 eighth overall pick is the highest-drafted player on the roster.
Perreault has 20 points and ranks fifth in NCAA scoring.
Sharks forward Will Smith is eligible to play at the world juniors. However, he's been hot with seven points in his last four games and is becoming increasingly unlikely to be loaned to Team USA.
Defensemen (10)
| Player | Age | Current Team | NHL Rights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zeev Buium | 18 | Denver (NCAA) | Wild |
| EJ Emery | 18 | North Dakota (NCAA) | Rangers |
| Blake Fiddler | 17 | Edmonton (WHL) | 2025 eligible |
| Paul Fischer | 19 | Notre Dame (NCAA) | Oilers |
| Drew Fortescue | 19 | Boston College (NCAA) | Rangers |
| Logan Hensler | 18 | Wisconsin (NCAA) | 2025 eligible |
| Cole Hutson | 18 | Boston Univ. (NCAA) | Capitals |
| Adam Kleber | 18 | Minnesota-Duluth (NCAA) | Sabres |
| Aram Minnetian | 19 | Boston College (NCAA) | Stars |
| Colin Ralph | 19 | St. Cloud State (NCAA) | Blues |
Buium headlines the American group of defenders. The highest-drafted blue-liner (12th overall) on the camp roster is one of two returnees on the back end along with Fortescue.
Emery is the only other first-round pick on the list. Fiddler and Hensley are projected to go in the first round of next year's draft.
Goaltenders (3)
| Player | Age | Current Team | NHL Rights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trey Augustine | 19 | Michigan State (NCAA) | Red Wings |
| Sam Hillebrandt | 19 | Barrie (OHL) | Undrafted |
| Hampton Slukynsky | 19 | Western Michigan (NCAA) | Kings |
The three netminders for Team USA are set. Augustine returns for his third world junior after winning gold last January.
Hillebrandt returns as the third-sting goaltender, while Slukynsky is the projected backup amid a superb start to his NCAA career.