USA Hockey has revealed the 31 players on its preliminary roster for the 2022 World Junior Championship, a group that includes several first-round NHL picks.
Headlined by Matty Beniers, who was drafted by the Seattle Kraken with the second-overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, and Luke Hughes — taken fourth by the New Jersey Devils in 2021 — the roster also features defenceman Jake Sanderson (Ottawa Senators, No. 5, 2020), and forwards Matthew Coronato (Calgary Flames, No. 13, 2021), Chaz Lucius (Winnipeg Jets, No. 18, 2021) and Mackie Samoskevich (Florida Panthers, No. 24, 2021).
A total of 17 forwards, 10 defencemen and four goalies have been named to the selection camp, which will be held from Dec. 13-15.
After defeating Canada 2-0 in the 2021 championship game, the United States will be looking to win back-to-back titles for the first time. Canada was the last team to repeat, winning five straight from 2005-09.
Canada is the host country for the tournament, which is slated to take place from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5 in Red Deer and Edmonton.
“We’re excited about the group we’ve named to the preliminary roster,” John Vanbiesbrouck, general manager of the 2022 U.S. National Junior Team, said in a statement. “Thanks to the efforts of so many coaches and volunteers across the country, our talent pool is deep, and we’ll have some very difficult decisions to make to get to our final roster.”
USA selection camp roster
Goalies
Drew Commesso (Chicago Blackhawks)
Kaidan Mbereko (2022 NHL Draft eligible)
Luke Pavicich (2022 NHL Draft eligible)
Dylan Silverstein (2022 NHL Draft eligible)
Defencemen
Sean Behrens (Colorado Avalanche)
Brock Faber (Los Angeles Kings)
Luke Hughes (New Jersey Devils)
Wyatt Kaiser (Chicago Blackhawks)
Connor Kelley (Chicago Blackhawks)
Tyler Kleven (Ottawa Senators)
Ian Moore (Anaheim Ducks)
Scott Morrow (Carolina Hurricanes)
Jake Sanderson (Ottawa Senators)
Jacob Truscott (Vancouver Canucks)
Forwards
Matty Beniers (Seattle Kraken)
Brett Berard (New York Rangers)
Thomas Bordeleau (San Jose Sharks)
Logan Cooley (2022 draft eligible)
Matthew Coronato (Calgary Flames)
Tanner Dickinson (St. Louis Blues)
Dominic James (2022 draft eligible)
Matthew Knies (Toronto Maple Leafs)
Chaz Lucius (Winnipeg Jets)
Carter Mazur (Detroit Red Wings)
Declan McDonnell (Tampa Bay Lightning)
Sasha Pastujov (Anaheim Ducks)
Dylan Peterson (St. Louis Blues)
Mackie Samoskevich (Florida Panthers)
Redmond Savage (Detroit Red Wings)
Landon Slaggert (Chicago Blackhawks)
Ty Smilanic (Florida Panthers)
