The 2019 World Junior Championship in Vancouver, British Columbia is less than two months away. That's when the U.S., winners in 2010, 2013 and 2017, will seek a fourth straight medal in the event.
The U.S. will be coached by Minnesota State head coach Mike Hastings. The assistants will be Minnesota Duluth head coach Scott Sandelin, Northeastern associate head coach Jerry Keefe, Dartmouth associate head coach Dave Lassonde and Ohio State associate head coach Steve Miller.
The Americans will have a significantly different roster than it did in 2018. Most notably, former Boston University left wing Brady Tkachuk won’t be on the roster, despite still being young enough. After being selected fourth overall by the Ottawa Senators, he turned pro.
Other players who aged out include forwards Joey Anderson, Casey Mittelstadt, Trent Frederic, Max Jones, Logan Brown, Kieffer Bellows, Patrick Harper and Riley Tufte. Defensemen Adam Fox, Ryan Lindgren, Scott Perunovich and Andrew Peeke, plus goaltenders Joe Woll, Jake Oettinger and Jeremy Swayman all fall into that category.
Perhaps most significantly, all three goaltenders will be first-timers. However, between the pipes could be a strength for the Americans with Northeastern sophomore Cayden Primeau and U.S. NTDP U18’s Spencer Knight (Darien, Conn.) apparent frontrunners for the starting job.
USA Hockey has shied away from underage players in the past, but it'll be hard to follow that precedent when players the caliber of Jack Hughes and Knight are waiting in the wings. The ’01 class at the NTDP is considered to be the best ever, surpassing the ‘97s that included numerous NHLers, including Auston Matthews, Matthew Tkachuk, Charlie McCoy and Noah Hanifin.
The U.S. has three players returning on the blue line, led by Michigan sophomore Quinn Hughes, the seventh-overall pick of the Vancouver Canucks. Also back are Minnesota Duluth teammates Mikey Anderson and Dylan Samberg.
Recognizing there are still 50 days or so until the roster has to be finalized, below is a look at the leading U.S. candidates to compete at World Juniors, held Dec. 26, 2018 to Jan. 5, 2019. There will be another look at this in December, when there’s a greater sample size from the 2018-19 season. Returning players are denoted by an asterisk.
Forwards
1. Josh Norris *
Michigan (Big Ten), 5/5/99, Center, Left Shot, 6-1/194
NHL: San Jose Sharks, 2017, 1st Rd., #19 overall
Norris is a fierce competitor who will likely find himself in a middle-six role for this team. He’s a playmaker when it comes to his offensive production, but he’s can be relied upon to backcheck, kill penalties and block shots.
2. Ryan Poehling *
St. Cloud State (NCHC), 1/3/99, Center, Left Shot, 6-2/193
NHL: Montreal Canadiens, 2017, 1st Rd., #25 overall
Poehling is a big, two-way center who will likely lead the American's second line. He’s a power forward with good hockey sense. He can control play down low and along the walls, all while protecting pucks. He’s not much of a goalscorer, but he does a good job facilitating offense by recovering pucks and fending off opposing defenders until his linemates can get open.
3. Jack Hughes
U.S. NTDP U18 (USHL), 5/14/01, Center, Left Shot, 5-10/161
NHL: 2019 draft eligible
The Orlando, Fla., native is listed in back of Norris and Poehling solely because they're returners. Hughes is already famous in the hockey world, but (for those that don’t know) he’s the projected first-overall pick in the 2019 NHL Draft. His dad, Jim, played at Providence College and his mom, Ellen, played soccer and hockey at UNH. His older brother, Quinn, is Vancouver’s first-round pick from 2018 and a sophomore defenseman at Michigan. He'll be on the team, too. He has a younger brother, ’03 Luke of Little Caesars 15U, who's committed to Michigan.
Hughes is undersized, but he’s dynamic. He’s dangerous every time he climbs over the boards. He’s got the skating to accelerate and create time and space. He has the hands and stick skills to make things happen with the puck. Simply put, he’s a game-changer.
4. Oliver Wahlstrom
Boston College (Hockey East), 6/13/00, Right Wing, Right Shot, 6-1/205
NHL: New York Islanders, 2018, 1st Rd., #11 overall
The Eagles are struggling as a team, and Wahlstrom has just one goal through four games. He’s obviously got a lethal shot that he can get off from anywhere. He’s got the size and strength to bull his way to the net, but he’s struggling some to adjust to the pace of college hockey. At this level, he’ll be a huge asset as a goalscorer. Don’t expect Wahlstrom to be held in check for long at the NCAA level.
5. Joel Farabee
Boston University (Hockey East), 2/25/00, Left Wing, Left Shot, 6-0/168
NHL: Philadelphia Flyers, 2018, 1st Rd., #14 overall
Farabee is a smart, 200-foot player who can create offense on the rush. He goes to the net and plays in the greasy areas. A goal he scored Thursday night against Northeastern was a great example of that. He just camped out in front before getting a pass from Patrick Harper. He also has the hands to make really nice passes and rip wrist shots.
6. Jay O’Brien
Providence (Hockey East), 11/4/99, Center, Right Shot, 5-11/176
NHL: Philadelphia Flyers, 2018, 1st Rd., #19 overall
The Hingham, Mass., native and former Thayer star has been hampered by injuries, but was off to a tough start with the Friars before that. However, his compete level, skating and hockey sense are too good to be left off this team. He’ll probably slot into the third-line center, but could play wing for this team.
7. Ivan Lodnia
Niagara IceDogs (OHL), 8/31/99, Right Wing, Right Shot, 6-0/192
NHL: Minnesota Wild, 2017, 3rd Rd., #85 overall
Lodnia is a special offensive talent who played for Erie before heading to Niagara in the OHL. His game is about using his speed and stick-handling ability to make plays. He protect pucks by throwing out his hip and putting the puck on the right side of his body, despite his lack of size. He has a quick release. He has strong hockey IQ and knows where his teammates are on the ice.
8. Jack Drury
Harvard (ECAC), 2/3/00, Center, Left Shot, 5-11/174
NHL: Carolina Hurricanes, 2nd Rd., #42 overall
Drury had three assists in the Crimson’s first game, a 7-6 overtime loss at Dartmouth. While he can produce offensively, his role on this team, should he make it, will be as a two-way, bottom-six center. He’s the type of kid who will do anything to win. He’ll block shots and get in passing and shooting lanes in the ‘D’ zone. He’s the son of Ted Druy, who played at Harvard and the NHL, and the nephew of Chris Drury, who played in the NHL after winning the Hobey Baker Award at BU.
9. Brandon Kruse
Bowling Green (WCHA), 3/26/99, Left Wing, Left Shot, 5-9/154
NHL: Vegas Golden Knights, 2018, 5th Rd., #135 overall
Kruse was a little bit under the radar, coming up through the Belle Tire system. After a season in Brookings of the NAHL, he’s taken his game to BGSU. Vegas picked him after a solid freshman season for the Falcons. He’s off to an even better sophomore campaign, which includes team victories over Ohio State and Western Michigan. Kruse is a terrific skater who can hunt pucks and looks to pass. He’ll also backcheck and competes hard.
10. Evan Barratt
Penn State (Big Ten), 2/18/99, Center, Left Shot, 6-0/187
NHL: Chicago Blackhawks, 2017, 3rd Rd., #90 overall
Barratt is producing more in his second season as a Nittany Lion, but his skating and compete in the defensive zone have always stood out. A NTDP product, he’s got a good shot to make this team in a bottom-six, energy-type role.
11. Cole Guttman
Denver (NCHC), 4/6/99, Center, Right Shot, 5-9/168
NHL: Tampa Bay Lightning, 2017, 6th Rd., #180 overall
There is a lot to like about Guttman’s game, despite him being on the smaller side. He’s smart and does a lot of the little things well. He’s a leader, wearing a letter for two seasons in junior hockey. He has two goals and three assists through four games for the Pioneers.
12. Noah Cates
Minnesota Duluth (NCHC), 2/5/99, Left Wing, Left Shot, 6-1/165
NHL: Philadelphia Flyers, 2017, 5th Rd., #137 overall
Cates has good size and skating ability, and is the type of player who can create offense on the rush. He makes a lot of really good passes and is a playmaker.
13. Jason Robertson
Kingston Frontenacs (OHL), 7/22/99, Left Wing, Left Shot, 6-2/201
NHL: Dallas Stars, 2017, 2nd Rd., #39 overall
Robertson has recorded well over a point per game for three seasons in the OHL. This year, he has 14 goals in the first 16 games. His skating, especially his first step, is an issue. USA Hockey has put a huge emphasis, rightfully so, on skating, but he’s still got a shot to make the team due to his pure goalscoring ability.
14. Matt Boldy
U.S. NTDP U18, 4/5/01, Left Wing, Left Shot, 6-2/187
NHL: 2019 draft eligible
Boldy has come out of nowhere to carry potential as a top-10 pick in Vancouver. His skating was often questioned as he grew up in the Jr. Eagles' system and at Dexter. However, his hockey sense is immense, and his footwork has improved. He’s big and can protect pucks. He’s surged to the position where many scouts consider him the second-best forward on the NTDP. He’s committed to Boston College.
15. Trevor Zegras
U.S. NTDP U18, 3/20/01, Center, Left Shot, 6-0/159
NHL: 2019 draft eligible
Zegras is a natural center, but he can play the wing. He likely doesn’t have a spot on the team down the middle, but he could play the wing. He’s fast and has good hands after tracking down pucks. Being a little light could hurt his consideration, but he’s played well against older college teams. He’s committed to Boston University.
16. Sam Hentges
St. Cloud (NCHC), 7/26/99, Center, Right Shot, 6-0/174
NHL: Minnesota Wild, 2018, 7th Rd., #210 overall
Hentges had a hat trick against BC and is off to a good start, despite a shooting percentage that likely won’t hold up. The Wild picked him after an injury-riddled season in the USHL. He’s not going to score flashy goals or toe-drag opposing defensemen, but he’ll go to the dirty areas and muck up rebounds. He’s a good skater.
17. Alex Turcotte
U.S. NTDP U18, 2/26/01, Center, Left Shot, 5-11/194
NHL: 2019 draft eligible
Turcotte has been injured for a good chunk of this fall, so his inclusion is likely a long shot. However, if you asked just about any scout last season, he was the second-best forward on the NTDP U17, only behind Hughes. He’s an explosive skater who can hunt pucks and impact all 200 feet of the ice. His father, Alfie Turcotte, played in the NHL.
Defensemen
1. Quinn Hughes *
Michigan (NCAA), 10/14/99, Left Shot, 5-10/174
NHL: Vancouver Canucks, 2018, 1st Rd., #7 overall
Very little introduction is needed. His skating is incredible. His stride looks effortless as he glides all over the ice. He can be a possession machine and get things going on the power play. For anyone who’s been living under a rock, he’s the older brother of Jack Hughes.
2. Dylan Samberg *
Minnesota Duluth (NCHC), 1/24/99, Left Shot, 6-4/214
NHL: Winnipeg Jets, 2017, 2nd Rd., #43 overall
Samberg played on last year’s team, despite being a true freshman out of Hermantown High School. He’s got the size and length to defend. He’s an above-average skater who can chip in offensively on occasion.
3. Mikey Anderson *
Minnesota Duluth (NCHC), 5/25/99, Left Shot, 6-0/196
NHL: Los Angeles Kings, 2017, 4th Rd., #103 overall
The UMD sophomore is the younger brother of last year’s captain, Joey Anderson, who' now in the New Jersey Devils organization. He’s not overly big, but he does a really good job of getting shots through from the point and he’s a competitor.
4. K’Andre Miller
Wisconsin (Big Ten), 1/21/00, Left Shot, 6-4/205
NHL: New York Rangers, 2018, 1st Rd., #22 overall
The Minnetonka, Minn., native is off to a hot start in his rookie season in Madison, Wis., after playing for the NTDP. He has two goals and five assists through six games. He has good size and can skate.
5. Jack St. Ivany
Yale (ECAC), 7/22/99, Right Shot, 6-3/198
NHL: Philadelphia Flyers, 2018, 4th Rd., #112 overall
The Manhattan Beach, Calif., native was never much of an offensive threat before last season in Sioux Falls. He’s always been a big, rangy defenseman who could be reliable in his own zone with his length. He was picked by the Flyers in his second year of eligibility because of how well he fared in the USHL. According to reports, he was solid in Yale’s opener against Brown.
6. Clayton Phillips
Minnesota (Big Ten), 9/9/99, Left Shot, 5-11/183
NHL: Pittsburgh Penguins, 2017, 3rd Rd., #93 overall
Phillips didn’t produce much offensively last season after joining the Gophers at the semester break. He’s off to a better start this season, posting four assists through three games. He’s not overly physical and doesn’t have great size, but he defends with an active stick and makes good first passes to get pucks heading north.
7. Jordan Harris
Northeastern (Hockey East), 7/7/00, Left Shot, 5-11/179
NHL: Montreal Canadiens, 2018, 3rd Rd., #71 overall
The Haverhill, Mass., native is a smooth-skating defenseman who retrieves pucks and transition up ice quickly. He doesn’t look big, but he’s tough to play against because of how good his feet are and being deceptively strong. He’s logged a ton of minutes for the Huskies after going to college straight out of prep school.
8. Mattias Samuelsson
Western Michigan (NCHC), 3/14/00, Left Shot, 6-4/218
NHL: Buffalo Sabres, 2018, 2nd Rd., #32 overall
Samuelsson was a really good value pick for the Sabres at the beginning of the second round. He has a lot of upside, but it might be tough for him to play at the pace of the World Juniors this early. He’ll certainly have a good chance to make it in 2020.
9. Bode Wilde
Saginaw Spirit (OHL), 1/24/00, Right Shot, 6-4/198
NHL: New York Islanders, 2018, 2nd Rd., #41 overall
Wilde was physically mature at a young age and could dominate games by using his size and strength. He’s still a big, puck-moving defenseman who likes to jump into the offense. He’s a high-risk, high-reward player. He had committed to Harvard and Michigan before opting for the major junior route. That could hurt him when it comes to the decision makers at USA Hockey.
10. Ben Mirageas
Providence (Hockey East), 5/8/99, Left Shot, 6-1/181
NHL: New York Islanders, 2017, 3rd Rd., #77 overall
The Newburyport, Mass., native is a really smooth skater with a great shot from the point. He had an up-and-down freshman season, especially in his own zone, but he’s gotten better and looked good in a 5-0 Providence win over BU.
11. Alex Vlasic
U.S. NTDP U18, 6/5/01, Left Shot, 6-6/192
NHL: 2019 draft eligible
Vlasic has soared into being a projected first-round pick in Vancouver. He’s huge and defends well with his length and closing ability. He’s a Boston University commit.
12. Cam York
U.S. NTDP U18, 1/5/01, Left Shot, 5-11/172
NHL: 2019 draft eligible
York isn’t flashy, but he’s a terrific skater who can control possession for his team by defending with his feet and retrieving pucks. He’s adept at quickly transitioning up ice with smart breakout passes and having the ability to escape oncoming forecheckers. A Californian, York de-committed from BC earlier this year. His college destination is rumored to be between North Dakota, Denver and Michigan.
13. Spencer Meier
St. Cloud (NCHC), 4/15/99, Right Shot, 6-2/161
NHL: 2019 draft eligible
Meier has twice gone undrafted into the NHL, but he’s a solid two-way defender. He always was a little in the shadows, playing for a smaller Minnesota high school. He won a USHL Clark Cup last season with Fargo and is off to a good start with the Huskies.
14. Reilly Walsh
Harvard (ECAC), 4/21/99, Right Shot, 5-11/181
NHL: New Jersey Devils, 2017, 3rd Rd., #81 overall
The North Falmouth, Mass., native would bring a good amount of offensive flare to the team, but he has limitations, especially in his own zone. With the team being heavy on left-shots, the fact Walsh is a righty gives him a bump.
Goaltenders
1. Spencer Knight
U.S. NTDP U18, 4/19/01, Catches Left, 6-3/194
NHL: 2019 draft eligible
It might be a risky move to rely on an underage goaltender, but Knight is an exception to the rule. He’s got all the tools to be an elite goaltender and is basically a lock to be selected in the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft. The future BC goaltender is potentially a generational talent in the crease.
2. Cayden Primeau
Northeastern (Hockey East), 8/11/99, Catches Left, 6-4/188
NHL: Montreal Canadiens, 2017, 7th Rd., #199 overall
Cayden’s father is Keith Primeau and his uncle is Wayne Primeau, both former NHL players. The Voorhees, N.J., native took home Hockey East Goaltender of the Year in 2017-18, and was named to the Hockey East All-Rookie Team and Hockey East First Team. He’s a good goaltender whose only fault is he sometimes goes down too early.
3. Keith Petruzzelli
Quinnipiac (ECAC), 2/9/99, Catches Left, 6-5/195
NHL: Detroit Red Wings, 2017, 3rd Rd., #88 overall
After a mediocre freshman season, Petruzzelli has a .922 save percentage for the undefeated Bobcats. He’s big and has the benefit of having played for USA GM John Vanbiesbrouck when he held the same position with the Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL).
4. Kyle Keyser
Oshawa Generals (OHL), 3/8/99, Catches Left, 6-2/180
NHL: Boston Bruins
The Floridian has a .926 save percentage to start the season — his fourth in the OHL. He certainly has the skill and experience to be a candidate to man the crease.
Projected Line Chart
FW1: Joel Farabee - Jack Hughes - Oliver Wahlstrom
FW2: Brandon Kruse - Ryan Poehling - Ivan Lodnia
FW3: Noah Cates - Josh Norris - Jay O’Brien
FW4: Evan Barratt - Jack Drury - Cole Guttman
XF - Jason Robertson
D1: Quinn Hughes - K’Andre Miller
D2: Mikey Anderson - Dylan Samberg
D3: Clayton Phillips - Jack St. Ivany
XD - Jordan Harris
Goaltender: Spencer Knight - Cayden Primeau - Keith Petruzzelli
