USA announces final 25-man roster for 2025 World Juniors

USA Hockey has announced its 25-man roster for the upcoming 2025 World Juniors held in Ottawa from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5.

USA’s final cuts are New York Rangers prospect EJ Emery, Boston Bruins prospect, Chris Pelosi, Chicago Blackhawks prospect AJ Spellacy and 2025 Draft prospect Blake Fiddler.

“It’s always tough to get through the selection process as we have so many great players in our country,” said John Vanbiesbrouck, general manager of the 2025 U.S. National Junior Team and assistant executive director of hockey operations for USA Hockey. “We turn our focus now to giving our team every opportunity to come together as we continue preparing for the tournament.”

Among the roster are 10 players who were part of the 2024 gold medal-winning U.S. National Junior Team, including goaltender and Detroit Red Wings prospect Trey Augustine, Sam Hillebrandt, Minnesota Wild prospect Zeev Buium, New York Rangers prospects Drew Fortescue and Gabe Perreault, Dallas Stars prospect Aram Minnetian, Washington Capitals prospect Ryan Leonard, Chicago Blackhawks prospect Oliver Moore, New York Islanders prospect Danny Nelson, and Anaheim Ducks prospect Carey Terrance.

The team includes 14 forwards, eight defenseman and three goaltenders.  Twenty-two of the 25 players have been drafted in the NHL, with six first-round picks and eight second-round picks. Three players are eligible for the 2025 NHL Draft.

USA will kick off the tournament on December 26th against Germany, before facing Latvia, Finland and Canada in a New Year’s Eve battle.