USA Hockey announced their preliminary roster for the National Junior Team to defend gold at the 2014 World Junior Championship in Malmo, Sweden late this month.
Here's the complete roster set to start training camp December 15th in Minneapolis. Of note, the team will play Minnesota State on the 17th before leaving for Europe on the 18th where they will take on Finland and Sweden in pre-tournament exhibition games.
This is how I see Team USA looking once they cross the pond.
Riley Barber Ryan Hartman Nic Kerdiles Thomas DiPauli JT Compher Andrew Copp Ryan Fitzgerald Stefan Matteau Danny O'Regan Hudson Fasching Henrik Samuelsson Adam Erne Jack Eichel/Quintin Shore
Connor Carrick Matt Grzelyck Ian McCoshen Steve Santini Brady Skjei Anthony DeAngelo Brett Pesce/Will Butcher
Jon Gillies Thatcher Demko
Goaltender Anthony Stolarz could always go an an emergency goaltender like Garrett Sparks did last year, but it's USA Hockey tradition that the heir apparent fills the back-up role.
Up front, Eichel is an under-ager who wasn't in Lake Placid for Evaluation Camp, but with 17 goals and 18 assists for 35 points in 19 games, he can certainly hold his own. At first blush, I was surprised Sonny Milano didn't also get an invite, but while he can certainly put the puck in the net, he's more of a playmaker and this team needs guys with a scoring touch. No worries though….he'll be in the mix next year and the year after that. In regards to Shore, he had a great showing in Lake Placid, but has been just ok at Denver so far this year. He's got a shot, but he's going to have to prove his worth and carve a spot out on this team for himself rather quickly if he wants to make this team.
On the back end, With three BAMFs and three puck movers, I see the decision on the 7th defenseman coming down to the wire just like it did last year depending on what they feel they need most. If it's another puck mover, it's Butcher. If it's another BAMF, it's Pesce.
In general, I don't think there are any surprises as to who is on this list, but despite only nine points in 25 games with the London Knights, I thought I'd see Montreal's 1st round selection from this past summer, Michael McCarron, at least invited to camp. That said, no matter how big you are or how physical you can be, if you can't contribute offensively, there's no room for you on this team.
Julie
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