USA Hockey announced their 30-man preliminary roster for the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship to be held in Montreal & Toronto. Players will report to selection camp in Boston which starts Tuesday, December 16th.
Forwards: JT Compher - Michigan Nick Schmaltz - North Dakota Jack Eichel*- Boston University Anthony Louis - Miami Miles Wood - Noble & Greenough (HS) Michael McCarron - London Sonny Milano - Plymouth Tyler Motte - Michigan John Hayden - Yale Alex Tuch - Boston College Chase De Leo - Portland Cole Cassels - Oshawa Jeremy Bracco - USNTDP Dylan Larkin - Michigan Hudson Fasching*- Minnesota Adam Erne* - Quebec Auston Matthews - USNTDP
Defensemen: Noah Hanifin - Boston College Ian McCoshen* - Boston College Will Butcher* - Denver Michael Downing - Michigan Ryan Collins - Minnesota Steve Santini* - Boston College Zach Werenski - Michigan Anthony DeAngelo - Sarnia Jack Dougherty - Wisconsin Brandon Carlo - Tri-Cities
Goalies: Brandon Halverson - Sault St Marie Thatcher Demko* - Boston College Alex Nedeljkovic - Plymouth
* member of Team USA at 2014 IIHF WJC
Some general thoughts.... (which I also posted via twitter)
Very happy to see Hanifin, Werenski and DeAngelo on this preliminary roster. None were invited to evaluation camp in Lake Placid this summer. DeAngelo went in the first round of this year's draft to Tampa Bay, Hanifin is expected to go right behind Jack Eichel & Connor McDavid with Werenski not far behind in the upcoming draft.
Steve Santini had wrist surgery last month and was expected to be out the rest of 2014, but we all know wrist injuries usually heal quicker than expected and we also know Santini is a BAMF, stay-at-home, shotblocking, shut-down-the-opposition stud and has never been known for his hands. If he can hold a stick, he's on this team.
Love seeing McCarron make this list. Not making last year's team and then being sent home halfway through evaluation camp this summer lot a fire in him and he was determined to earn an invite to this camp and make the most of his opportunity. He's a big body who needs to be able to use it effectively - without getting into penalty trouble - and contribute offensively, if the Habs first round selection two years ago wants to play in Montreal and give the locals a little preview.
Love seeing Bracco & Matthews, who both play for the USNTDP U18s. Matthews, draft eligible in 2016, looked outstanding in Lake Placid.
Finally, how about Miles Wood?!? The 19-year-old NJD prospect currently plays in a high school prep league and is committed to BC in the fall.
Over the next two weeks, I'll have some features on various players for you, plus full coverage of selection camp leading up to opening day of the tournament. If you have question, let me hear them!
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Julie
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