USA Hockey names 19 current NCAA players to 2018 World Junior team

University of Wisconsin (Tim Brule)
Wisconsin sophomore Trent Frederic is one of 13 forwards named to the U.S. entry at the 2018 World Junior Championship (photo: Dan & Margaret Hickling/Hickling Images).

USA Hockey announced Saturday the final 23-player roster for the 2018 U.S. National Junior Team that will compete in the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship in Buffalo from Dec. 26, 2017 to Jan. 5, 2018.

Of the 23 players named, 19 currently play NCAA hockey.

Player's NamePositionTeam
Jake OettingerGBoston University
Jeremy SwaymanGMaine
Joseph WollGBoston College
Mikey AndersonDMinnesota Duluth
Adam FoxDHarvard
Quinn HughesDMichigan
Ryan LindgrenDMinnesota
Andrew PeekeDNotre Dame
Scott PerunovichDMinnesota Duluth
Dylan SambergDMinnesota Duluth
Joey AndersonFMinnesota Duluth
Kieffer BellowsFPortland (WHL)
Logan BrownFWindsor (OHL)
Trent FredericFWisconsin
Patrick HarperFBoston University
Max JonesFLondon (OHL)
Will LockwoodFMichigan
Casey MittelstadtFMinnesota
Josh NorrisFMichigan
Ryan PoehlingFSt. Cloud State
Brady TkachukFBoston University
Riley TufteFMinnesota Duluth
Kailer YamamotoFSpokane (WHL)

“We’re excited about these 23 players that will represent the United States on home ice in Buffalo,” said Jim Johannson, general manager of the 2018 U.S. National Junior Team and also the assistant executive director of hockey operations for USA Hockey, in a statement. “With depth at every position, the decisions we made today were very difficult and that is a credit to development of talent throughout the country. Our players and staff are excited to be in Buffalo and for the tournament to get underway.”

In addition, forward Kieffer Bellows (WHL’s Portland Winterhawks, spent ’16-17 at Boston University) and defensemen Adam Fox (Harvard) and Ryan Lindgren (Minnesota) have been tabbed alternate captains of the squad. Forward Joey Anderson (Minnesota Duluth) was named captain on Dec. 18.

“We’re excited about our veteran leadership group here in Buffalo,” said Bob Motzko, head coach of the 2018 U.S. National Junior Team, in a news release. “Joey, Kieffer, Ryan and Adam have the respect of everybody in the room and we have complete confidence that they can lead this group of players to a gold medal here on home ice.”

Team USA will begin play next Tuesday, Dec. 26, against Denmark at 8 p.m. EST and can be seen live on the NHL Network.