USA Hockey on Wednesday unveiled its 26-player preliminary roster for the 2014 U.S. National Junior Team that will participate in the IIHF World Junior Championship from Dec. 26, 2013-Jan. 5, 2014, in Malmo, Sweden, defending its gold medal from 2013.
The preliminary roster includes 19 NCAA players and three players that helped the U.S. capture the gold medal at the IIHF World Junior Championship a year ago in forwards Riley Barber (Miami) and Ryan Hartman and goaltender Jon Gillies (Providence).
“We’re excited about the group of players we’ve invited to camp,” said general manager of the 2014 U.S. National Junior Team and assistant executive director of hockey operations for USA Hockey Jim Johannson in a statement. “There will be some tough decisions in getting to the final roster, but that’s certainly a good problem to have.”
The 26 players will participate in a training camp Dec. 15-18 at the University of Minnesota’s Mariucci Arena with preparations continuing in Angelholm, Sweden, before the final 23-man roster is announced on Dec. 23.
The U.S. will play three exhibition games before the start of the tournament, including Dec. 17 against Minnesota State in Mankato, Minn., and games in Angelholm versus Finland on Dec. 20 and against Sweden on Dec. 22.
NCAA CONNECTIONS
| Player's Name | Position | School |
|---|---|---|
| Riley Barber | F | Miami |
| J.T. Compher | F | Michigan |
| Andrew Copp | F | Michigan |
| Tommy DiPauli | F | Notre Dame |
| Jack Eichel | F | Boston University (commit) |
| Hudson Fasching | F | Minnesota |
| Ryan Fitzgerald | F | Boston College |
| Nic Kerdiles | F | Wisconsin |
| Tyler Motte | F | Michigan |
| Dan O'Regan | F | Boston University |
| Quentin Shore | F | Denver |
| Will Butcher | D | Denver |
| Matt Grzelyck | D | Boston University |
| Ian McCoshen | D | Boston College |
| Brett Pesce | D | New Hampshire |
| Steve Santini | D | Boston College |
| Brady Skjei | D | Minnesota |
| Thatcher Demko | G | Boston College |
| Jon Gillies | G | Providence |
