Headlining the first major international tournament of the new league year, the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup will run from July 31st-August 5th in both Czechia and Slovakia. Almost two weeks ago, Hockey Canada announced their roster for the tournament, and today, USA Hockey announces there’s. In this tournament, they will have much to prove, as the United States team has not medaled since 2016, losing in the Gold Medal game to then-Czech Republic. The team did receive a fourth-place finish in 2018 but has failed to reach a semi-final game since that year.
The United States full roster for the tournament is as follows:
F Euro Betalla (Chicago, HPHL)
F Trevor Connelly (Tri-City, USHL)
F Colin Frank (Anaheim, T1EHL)
F Callum Hughes (Mount St.Charles, NEPACK)
*F Ryker Lee (Shattucks-St.Mary’s, USHS)
F John McNelis (Long Island, NEPACK)
F JJ Monteiro (Mount St.Charles, NEPACK)
F Aidan Park (Shattucks-St.Mary’s, USHS)
F AJ Spellacy (Windsor, OHL)
F Chase Stefanek (Mount St.Charles, NEPACK)
F Mac Swanson (Fargo, USHL)
F Grant Young (Long Island, NEPACK)
F Will Zellers (Shattuck-St.Mary’s, USHS)
D Alex Bales (Yale, BEAST)
D William Felicio (Madison, USHL)
D Tanner Henricks (Anaheim, T1EHL)
D Owen Keefe (Muskegon, USHL)
D Adam Kleber (Lincoln, USHL)
D Finn McLaughlin (Canmore, AJHL)
D Tory Pitner (Youngstown, USHL)
G Thatcher Bernstein (Noble & Greenough, USHL)
G Caleb Heil (Sioux Falls, USHL)
G Kam Henrickson (Chanhassen High, USHS)
* not draft-eligible until 2025
Forwards Connelly and Swanson are projected to be two of the better options at the United States disposal for the tournament, as both are currently projected to be second round picks in the 2024 NHL Draft. Next season, Connelly will be headed to the Hockey East division joining Providence College, while Swanson will head to the NCHC joining North Dakota. On defense, Felicio will likely be relied upon plenty by the Americans, being one of the better defenseman in the USHL last season. Felicio is set to join on with the NCAA powerhouse, Denver University Pioneers, for the 2023-24 season.
Look for the Shattuck’s forwards to make an impact in this tournament.
Glad to see 3 kids from the Mount on the team
Asking because someone will know better than me. Why is Cole Eiserman not playing on the team. Is there a roster stipulation that makes him ineligible?