EDMONTON, Canada – Cam York (Anaheim, Calif.) has been named captain of the 2021 U.S. National Junior Team it was announced today by USA Hockey.
“It says a lot about this leadership group being voted in by their teammates. It’s a tremendous honor to be named captains and represent your country” said head coach Nate Leaman (East Greenwhich, R.I.). “This isn’t our team, this is their team. I believe our locker room is filled with leaders, and to be successful each guy will need to step up and be a leader in their own way, whether wearing a letter or not.”
In addition, Cole Caufield (Stevens Point, Wis.) and Alex Turcotte (Chicago, Ill.) were named alternate captains of the squad for Team USA’s first preliminary game against Russia.
“I’m humbled by the guys naming me captain,” said York. “This is a huge honor, and I’m excited for what this team can do. I think this is not just a really talented team, but it’s a great group of guys who really care about one another and have come together well as a team.”
Team USA will begin play in the 2021 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship tomorrow (Dec. 25) in Edmonton, Canada, against Russia. Puck drop is set for 9:30 p.m. ET and can be seen live on NHL Network.
ABOUT YORK: One of eight returners from last year’s National Junior Team, York is currently a sophomore at the University of Michigan (Big Ten). This is York’s first time serving as a captain for Team USA, after playing in both the 2018 and 2019 IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championships, where he earned a silver and bronze medal. In the 2019 tournament, York set tournament records for all-time tournament points by a defenseman (17) and all-time tournament assists by a defenseman (13). York is the lone returner from the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship on the blue line for the Americans. The defenseman was teammates with Caufield and Turcotte from 2017-19 at the U.S. National Team Development Program. A native of Anaheim, Calif., York was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the first round, 14th overall.
ABOUT CAUFIELD: Caufield is competing in his fourth IIHF event, after previously collecting a silver and bronze medal at the IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championship in 2018 and 2019. Additionally, the forward played for Team USA in the 2020 World Juniors. Caufield led the 2019 IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championship with 14 goals scored, tying Alex Ovechkin’s individual tournament record, where he served as an alternate captain in 2019. The Stevens Points, Wis. native is currently playing in his second season for the University of Wisconsin (Big Ten), after being selected by the Montreal Canadiens in the first round of the 2019 NHL Draft, 15th overall.
ABOUT TURCOTTE: Turcotte is playing in his second IIHF World Junior Championship, after competing internationally in two IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championships, including in 2019 where he served as an alternate captain. The Chicago, Ill. forward most recently played at the University of Wisconsin (Big Ten) during the 2019-20 season prior to signing his entry-level contract with the Los Angeles Kings. Turcotte was selected by the Kings in the first round, fifth overall.