Breaking down USA’s 2025 World Junior Championship selection camp roster
USA Hockey always wants to win – thanks, Captain Obvious. But there’s something special about doing it on Canadian ice – just like they did when they won in Edmonton back in 2021.
The Americans are looking to win consecutive gold for the first time in team history. History hasn’t been on their side, though: they’ve never qualified for the gold medal game the year after winning it all. Fortunately, they’ll have 10 players eligible to return this year, with many – including Gabe Perreault and Ryan Leonard – looking to have a leading role this time around.
With today’s roster announcement, USA is bringing 28 players to camp later this month. That means only three will go home early thanks to the increased 25-player roster this year. Training camp will take part at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth from Dec. 16-17, which is smaller than usual. Fortunately, it feels like there won’t be a ton of difficult decisions to make this time around: they’ve got a solid group with plenty of experience playing together, primarily due to the existence of the USA Hockey National Team Development Program.
Here’s a breakdown of all the major storylines heading to camp:
Introducing the preliminary roster for the 2025 U.S. National Junior Team! 🇺🇸 #WorldJuniors
— USA Hockey (@usahockey) December 2, 2024Well-Balanced Offense
Between high-scoring college stars to energetic bottom-sixers, this is a strong, deep American forward group. The top line should be composed of the Boston College trio – Gabe Perreault (New York Rangers), James Hagens (2025 NHL Draft) and Ryan Leonard (Washington Capitals). Don’t swap them, don’t try and overthink it. They’re going to be the best line in the tournament, and they’re going to rip teams apart on the power play. Be warned.
I like the idea of pairing two goal-scoring threats, Cole Eiserman (New York Islanders) and Trevor Connelly (Vegas Golden Knights). We saw them together at the All-American Prospects Game last year, and they brought energy and offense to every shift. Having Oliver Moore (Chicago Blackhawks) bring his speed and work ethic between them will make for a dynamic line with the power to overpower just about anyone.
They’ve got players that can play roles quite effectively, too. Chris Pelosi (Boston Bruins) is a solid two-way centerman who made a name for himself at the World Junior Summer Showcase. He’ll likely be in competition with Anaheim Ducks prospect Carey Terrance for the final center spot, with Terrance looking to return after serving as a reserve last year. I think it’s close – but if it’s really close, I imagine they’ll give the edge to the guy who joined the Americans for this event a year ago.
Three players I’m really excited to see: AJ Spellacy (Chicago Blackhawks), Teddy Stiga (Nashville Predators) and Brodie Ziemer (Buffalo Sabres). All are exceptionally versatile, and while they won’t be high-end producers in the NHL, you can throw them into so many different situations and get positive results. Could their similarities as energetic, hard-working wingers make one or two of them redundant? Perhaps, but all three are guys that scouts get excited about each year because coaches love them.
Rock-Solid Defense
There were no real surprises on USA’s back end. All have ties to USA Hockey in some way, including 2025 NHL Draft’s Blake Fiddler. It’s rare to see a non-USNTDP draft eligible get invited to camp, but given his experience playing for Canada and USA in international play, you have to wonder if this was a bid to outright win his services.
The Americans will bring back three players from last year – Minnesota Wild’s Zeev Buium, New York Rangers’ Drew Fortescue and Dallas Stars prospect Aram Minnetian. Minnetian was a reserve player last year, but could slide into a bottom-pairing or seventh-D role this time around. Buium and Fortescue, meanwhile, should lock out the top pair this year.
Look for Cole Hutson (Washington Capitals) and EJ Emery (New York Rangers) to line up together like they did with the U-18 team last year. They were rock solid all season long and complemented each other in different ways. Like his brother Lane, Cole loves to move the puck and is incredibly dynamic. Emery, meanwhile, is probably the best pure defenseman on this team.
I’ve liked Adam Kleber’s game for a while now, and I think the Buffalo Sabres defenseman would be perfect in a third-pairing role. Edmonton Oilers prospect Paul Fischer would be my last player to make it, edging out Colin Ralph (St. Louis Blues) and Logan Hensler (2025 NHL Draft). I’d say that any combination of those guys not making it wouldn’t surprise me (same goes for Minnetian) – I think they all have a legitimate case to make USA.
So, while Canada might have more pure skill to choose from on the blueline, I do think the USA has plenty of weapons at its disposal. No concerns there whatsoever – I’d give them the edge here over Canada.
Goaltending Set in Stone
With just three goaltenders, After being the United States’ starter the past two years – and his continued play as one of the top goalies in the NCAA this year – Trey Augustine (Detroit Red Wings) has the crease on lockdown this year. He’s the top goaltender in the tournament, and is one of the best goalie prospects across the NHL, period.
Hampton Slukynsky is a solid backup who was arguably the best goaltender at the World Junior Summer Showcase. He hasn’t played a ton in the NCAA this year, but the Los Angeles Kings prospect has performed well enough in his starts to make it an easy choice to crown him the backup this year. Undrafted goaltender Sam Hillebrandt will return for a second go-around, but he’s not expected to play again this year after making it as a surprise third choice in 2024.
If everything goes according to plan, the Americans should have the best goaltending duo in the tournament, Augustine and Aslukynsky. That should make things a lot easier for the team in front to get the job done.
Notable Omissions
Unlike Canada, this list is short. I was a bit surprised that New York Islanders’ Zach Schulz wasn’t given a shot to stand out after a decent showing at the World Junior Summer Showcase. Max Plante also felt like a guy you’d want to have in a bottom-line playmaking role (with the ability to set things up on the power play), but an injury has limited the Detroit Red Wings prospect to just three games this season – and only two in November.
Speaking of injuries, San Jose Sharks prospect Quentin Musty broke his wrist late last month and wasn’t going to be ready in time for the World Juniors. But word spread midway through November that Musty wasn’t getting an invite to the team in the first place. Sure, they had plenty of scoring options to choose from, but he was on pace for his second 100-point season in Sudbury.
Pre-Camp Projected Roster
Gabe Perreault (NYR) – James Hagens (C) – Ryan Leonard (WSH)
Cole Eiserman (NYI) – Oliver Moore (CHI) – Trevor Connelly (VGK)
Austin Burnevik (ANA) – Danny Nelson (NYI) – Brodie Ziemer (BUF)
AJ Spellacy (CHI) – Carey Terrance (ANA) – Teddy Stiga (NSH)
Brandon Svoboda (SJS)
Extra: Chris Pelosi (BOS)
Zeev Buium (MIN) – Drew Fortescue (NYR)
Cole Hutson (WSH) – EJ Emery (NYR)
Aram Minnetian (DAL) – Adam Kleber (BUF)
Paul Fischer (EDM)
Extra: Colin Ralph (STL)
Trey Augustine (DET)
Hampton Slukynsky (LAK)
Sam Hillebrandt (Undrafted)
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