USA Hockey Announces Preliminary 2022 WJC Roster

December 12: USA Hockey has announced a slight roster change to its upcoming camp roster. Defenseman Sean Behrens (COL) of the University of Denver and forward Thomas Bordeleau (SJS) of the University of Michigan will no longer compete for a spot on the 2022 WJC roster. Defenseman Jack Peart (MIN) of St. Cloud State University will get a chance though as a late addition to the roster.

November 30: The 2022 World Junior Championship is right around the corner, set to kick off on December 26 in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta. For USA Hockey, selection camp will start in just two weeks in Plymouth, Michigan, where the final roster will need to be picked. Today 31 players were invited to that camp, a group that will be pared down to 25 that will travel to the tournament.

The invitees, with their NHL affiliation:

G Drew Commesso (CHI)
G Kaidan Mbereko (2022 draft eligible)
G Luke Pavicich (2022 draft eligible)
G Dylan Silverstein (2022 draft eligible)

D Brock Faber (LAK)
D Luke Hughes (NJD)
D Wyatt Kaiser (CHI)
D Connor Kelley (CHI)
D Tyler Kleven (OTT)
D Ian Moore (ANA)
D Scott Morrow (CAR)
D Jack Peart (MIN)
D Jake Sanderson (OTT)
D Jacob Truscott (VAN)

F Matty Beniers (SEA)
F Brett Berard (NYR)
F Logan Cooley (2022 draft eligible)
F Matt Coronato (CGY)
F Tanner Dickinson (STL)
F Dominic James (2022 draft eligible)
F Matthew Knies (TOR)
F Chaz Lucius (WPG)
F Carter Mazur (DET)
F Declan McDonnell (TBL)
F Sasha Pastujov (ANA)
F Dylan Peterson (STL)
F Mackie Samoskevich (FLA)
F Red Savage (DET)
F Landon Slaggert (CHI)
F Ty Smilanic (FLA)

While this group perhaps doesn’t inspire the same level of excitement that has been around the U.S. WJC rosters the last few years, it’s still headlined by some outstanding prospects including Sanderson, Beniers, and Hughes. All three were top-five NHL picks and are locks to make the team in key roles. The team also notably has a lot of size and length on defense, with Behrens the only invitee that comes in under 6’0″.