2023 World Junior Championship: Projecting Team USA’s roster

Credit: (Photo by Steven Ellis/The Hocke

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Given how dominant they were during the summer tournament, it looked like the United States was on the verge of a perfect result in Edmonton.

That was, until the games began to matter.

USA entered the elimination stage as the top seed in Group B, facing a Czechia team fresh off a loss to Latvia, of all teams, just a few days prior. Easy win, right? Wrong. Czechia shocked everyone with a 4-2 win, taking advantage of an injured Luke Hughes and some questionable goaltending at the other end.

Instantly, the tournament favorites were out of it. They’re back this year with a vengeance, with many key pieces from the summer team returning. Like usual, they’re one of the favorites for gold and have some solid depth, for the most part. The same concerns from August remain, mainly in net, but barring any major hiccups, they should still be involved when medals are handed out on Jan. 5.

With USA’s camp roster set to get announced on Dec. 5, here’s a look at what the final squad could end up looking like:

Goaltending

Once again, this is a position of concern for the United States. Long gone are the sacred days of a solid 1-2 punch with Spencer Knight and Dustin Wolf. Kaidan Mbereko was USA’s starter a few months back but he’s far from a solid No. 1 choice. Even though he’s 17, you have to feel like Trey Augustine will take the starter’s role given how dominant he’s been with the U-18 USNTDP with a 12-0-1 record.

It’ll be interesting to see how long Augustine’s leash is given his age, especially with Mbereko already established at this tournament. And to Mbereko’s credit, he’s had a few standout performances at Colorado College this year. His experience will give him more runway, but I’m not sure he’s the best fit for the job.

In this case, it’s more of who I THINK should be the starter. Augustine’s age plays against him – but, to be fair, he was a standout at the u-18 World Championship as an underager. So who knows?

Defensemen

After finishing the quarterfinal on one foot, Luke Hughes is ready to keep things moving along as the leader of the blueline – and perhaps a tournament MVP candidate. The smooth-skating two-way defenseman is one of the best prospects in the world, period, and his season at the University of Michigan has been incredible to watch.

Then there’s Lane Hutson, who felt more like a longshot candidate to make the team before the season. The Montreal Canadiens prospect has put everything together this season: speed, skill and offensive production with 14 points in 12 games to make him one of the best freshmen in the NCAA. Hutson’s skill was never doubted, given he had one of the highest point outputs ever by a USNTDP defenseman last year, but his 5-foot-8 frame scared many scouts. That plays to Montreal’s benefit, though, and now he’ll showcase his skills at the World Junior Championship.

Those two are the flashiest, and New Jersey Devils prospect Seamus Casey could join the fray too as one of the more fun defenders to watch, albeit in a more limited role. I like Ryan Chesley, Jack Peart, Shai Buium and Sean Behrens as the more grounded options. I think, with guys like Hughes and Hutson playing more of a two-way game, this group is balanced enough with a nice mix of puck-movers and shutdown options – it’s all about finding the perfect lineup mix, and I think coach Rand Pecknold will experiment depending on the specific matchup.

Forwards

One of the beauties of USA’s development system is the program familiarity. Most players on the front end have at least a few teammates they’ve played with before, which should help get up to speed quickly.

While there isn’t a future franchise-changing prospect on this group, they do have Logan Cooley, who went third overall to Arizona last summer. The skill is there – that lacrosse goal against Austria in August was awesome – and the experience, too. He’ll be counted on in a big way to lead the charge alongside Jimmy Snuggerud and Cutter Gauthier, who made a fantastic top line with the USNTDP in the past.

Sasha Pastujov and Red Savage were on the summer team, and that experience will be relied on in different roles later this month. I’m also a bit Rutger McGroarty fan – I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s challenging for the team’s scoring lead once things finish up.

Perhaps the most exciting name is Ty Voit. There aren’t a ton of big forwards on this team, and Voit stands at 5-foot-9. But the 19-year-old has cleaned house in the OHL with 40 points through 24 games, good for first in league scoring, so it’s hard to say no to him. He has never represented USA in international competition, instead taking the Canadian major junior route, but I think he needs to be in Moncton based on how hot his play has been on a weak Sarnia team.

In terms of 2023 NHL Draft prospects, Charlie Stramel will return after serving as an extra forward in August. He’s having an OK season in the NCAA, but his 6-foot-3 frame will be a welcome addition. He just needs to do a bit more than hit guys out there. There’s also Will Smith, who feels like a lock despite being the youngest forward. He’s been incredible for the U-18 team this year and can fit a variety of roles if needed. I put him on the fourth line to give them a bit of extra speed and skill, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Savage is bumped down instead.

Projected lineup

Cutter Gauthier (PHI) – Logan Cooley (ARI) – Jimmy Snuggerud (STL)
Rutger McGroarty (WPG) – Chaz Lucius (WPG) – Dylan Duke (TBL)
Sasha Pastujov (ANA) – Red Savage (DET) – Ty Voit (TOR)
Tyler Boucher (OTT) – Will Smith (2023) – Cameron Lund (SJS)
Charlie Stramel (2023)

Sean Behrens (COL) – Luke Hughes (NJD)
Lane Hutson (MTL) – Ryan Chesley (WSH)
Jack Peart (MIN) – Shai Buium (DET)
Seamus Casey (NJD)

Trey Augustine (2023)
Kaidan Mbereko (2023)
Tyler Muszelik (FLA)

Notable omissions: Ryan Leonard (F, 2023), Ty Gallagher (D, BOS), Ryan Ufko (D, NSH), Roman Schmidt (D, TBL), Jackson Blake (F, CAR).