2014 WJC Primers: World Juniors General Preview — Full Team USA Preview

It’s Christmas Day across the world, but it’s World Juniors Eve for those that love the tournament, so that means there’s some news to report. The U.S. National Junior Team has finalized its roster, down to the requisite 20 skaters and three goaltenders that will make up the squad that will attempt to defend gold for the USA at the 2014 IIHF World Junior Championship.

University of Michigan forward Tyler Motte was the final cut. He had been battling injury since the team traveled to Sweden and did not play in either exhibition game. Motte did practice with the squad recently, but either the staff didn’t feel confidently enough in his readiness after little ice time the last few days or he’s still not 100 percent. It’s tough to be the last cut and Motte probably would have helped, but Team USA does have some really solid players that can play a similar role.

So, officially, here is Team USA’s roster for the 2014 IIHF World Junior Championship as submitted to the IIHF today:

Goaltenders: Thatcher Demko (2014), Jon Gillies (CGY), Anthony Stolarz (PHI)

Defense: Will Butcher (COL), Connor Carrick (WSH), Matt Grzelcyk (BOS), Ian McCoshen (FLA), Steven Santini (NJD), Brady Skjei (NYR), Jaccob Slavin (CAR)

Forwards: Riley Barber (WSH), Andrew Copp (WPG), Thomas Di Pauli (WSH), Jack Eichel (2015), Adam Erne (TBL), Hudson Fasching (LAK), Ryan Hartman (CHI), Vince Hinostroza (CHI), Nic Kerdiles (ANA), Stefan Matteau (NJD), Danny O’Regan (SJS), Quentin Shore (OTT), Zach Stepan (NSH)

You can get season stats to date and a brief report on each player here.

More on Team USA after the jump.

Here’s how the final roster breaks down for Team USA.

Returning Players
3 – Riley Barber, Jon Gillies, Ryan Hartman

Birth Years
1994: 16 – 1995: 6 – 1996: 1

States Represented
Illinois: 5 – Massachusetts: 3 – Minnesota: 3  – Colorado: 2 – California: 2 – Wisconsin: 2 – Connecticut: 1 – Maine: 1 – Michigan: 1 – New Jersey: 1 – New York: 1 – Pennsylvania: 1

Leagues Represented
Hockey East: 8 – Big Ten: 4 – NCHC: 4 – AHL: 2 – OHL: 2 – QMJHL – 1 – WCHA – 1

NHL Teams Represented
Washington Capitals: 3; Chicago Blackhawks: 2; New Jersey Devils: 2 — Everyone else: 1

Oldest Player – Youngest Player
Matt Grzelcyk — Jan. 5, 1994
Jack Eichel — Oct. 28, 1996

Current Teammates
5 Sets: Boston College (3): Thatcher Demko, Steven Santini, Ian McCoshen; Denver: Will Butcher, Quentin Shore; Notre Dame: Thomas Di Pauli, Vince Hinostroza; Minnesota: Brady Skjei, Hudson Fasching; Boston University: Danny O’Regan, Matt Grzelcyk.

Former IIHF Gold Medalists
12: Riley Barber (2013 WJC, 2012 U18), Will Butcher (2012 U18), Connor Carrick (2012 U18), Andrew Copp (2012 U18), Thomas Di Pauli (2012 U18), Jon Gillies (2013 WJC), Matt Grzelcyk (2012 U18), Ryan Hartman (2013 WJC, 2012 U18), Nic Kerdiles (2012 U18, 2011 U18), Danny O’Regan (2012 U18), Quentin Shore (2012 U18), Brady Skjei (2012 U18).

Coaching Staff
Head Coach: Don Lucia — University of Minnesota
Assistant Coach: Bob Motzko — St. Cloud State University
Assistant Coach: Greg Brown — Boston College
Assistant Coach: David Lassonde — University of Denver
Video Coach: Dan Muse — Yale University

USofH on the Air
I helped Guy Flaming of The Pipeline Show preview Team USA on their annual World Junior preview show. You can listen to the segment in full (which was recorded prior to final cuts) here.

Enjoy the rest of your Christmas Day, but be sure to come back later tonight for a full USA-Czech Republic Preview tonight.