Three Massachusetts-born players make USA’s World Junior Championship Camp roster

Three Massachusetts-born forwards have made USA Hockey’s roster for the World Championship Camp later this month, it was announced Monday. The evaluation camp will help USA Hockey brass select the final roster for the 2023 U.S. National Junior Team.

The 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship takes place December 26-January 5 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Moncton, New Brunswick, in the Canadian maritimes. Quinnipiac bench boss Rand Pecknold (Bedford, N.H.) will be the head coach for the United States. Two of his assistants, Dartmouth head coach Reid Cashman and Tampa Bay Lightning goaltending scout Jared Waimon (New Milford, Conn.), have local ties.

Players must be born in 2003 or after to be eligible to compete in the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship. USA Hockey’s camp will consist of players born between 2003 and 2005. In the past, USA Hockey has often valued age and experience over skillful youngsters.

Northeastern freshman right wing Cam Lund (Bridgewater, Mass.) and USA Hockey NTDP U18 linemates, Ryan Leonard (Amherst, Mass.) and Will Smith (Lexington, Mass.) will all be at the tryout camp with hopes of making the final roster.

Lund, an '04 who played for the Green Bay Gamblers last season, has five goals and seven assists through 16 college games with the Huskies. He’s played center and wing, but would likely be on the right side if he makes the American team for the WJC. Lund was the 34th overall draft pick of the San Jose Sharks in July.

Leonard has 19 goals and 14 assists in 22 games this season for the NTDP U18 team. The winger, committed to Boston College, played for Pope Francis before heading to Plymouth, Mich., to join the NTDP for the 2021-22 campaign.

Smith is the NTDP U18 team’s leading scorer. Also committed to Boston College, the former Junior Eagles and St. Sebastian’s star has 17 goals and 28 assists in 24 games. Both Smith and Leonard are '05s projected to be selected in the first round of the 2023 NHL draft.

Joining the aforementioned trio of local forwards are seven other players with connections to the region. Ottawa 67s right wing Tyler Boucher formerly played for Avon Old Farms and Boston University before heading to major junior. UMass freshman center Kenny Connors, a Mount Saint Charles alum, UMass sophomore defenseman Ryan Ufko, Boston University freshman defenseman Lane Hutson, Boston College sophomore defenseman Aidan Hreschuk, Quinnipiac freshman center Sam Lipkin, and New Hampshire freshman goaltender Tyler Muszelik are also vying for spots on the coveted roster.