USA Hockey has added defencemen Tyler Kleven and Hunter Skinner and goaltender Logan Stein to its preliminary roster for the upcoming world junior tournament, the team announced Sunday.
Kleven was selected by the Ottawa Senators in the second round of the 2020 NHL Draft (44th overall), while Skinner was taken in the fourth round (112th overall) of the 2019 draft. Stein is undrafted out of Ferris State University.
The additions were made to replace forward Robert Mastrosimone, defenceman Alex Vlasic and netminder Drew Commesso, all from Boston University, who are not available to participate.
“It’s certainly heartbreaking for Robert, Alex and Drew to not have the chance to make our team and we feel for them,” said John Vanbiesbrouck, general manager of the 2021 U.S. national junior team, in a press release.
“But it’s great to have the depth we do and we’re pleased to welcome Tyler, Hunter and Logan. We’re excited to get our camp underway and continue to work with our medical staff, the IIHF and the government of Alberta to help provide the safest possible environment for everyone associated with our team.”
The U.S. kicked off its week-long camp ahead of the world juniors on Sunday at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Mich. Twenty-nine players are participating in the camp, but the country will trim its roster to 25 on Dec. 13.
The world juniors run from Dec. 25 to Jan. 6 in Edmonton.
