USA Hockey Announces Roster for 2021 U.S. Men’s National Team

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - USA Hockey announced today the 26 players that will comprise the U.S. Men’s National Team set to compete in the 2021 International Ice Hockey Federation Men’s World Championship May 21-June 6 in Riga, Latvia.

"We’re excited with the roster we have and look forward to the world championship," said Chris Drury, general manager of the 2021 U.S. Men's National Team and also the president and general manager of the NHL's New York Rangers. "It’s a unique year and we appreciate the dedication and commitment of everyone. We really like our team and our goal, like every other team our country puts on the ice, is to bring home a gold medal."

Team USA will depart the U.S. for Riga on May 16 and begins play in the world championship on May 22 against Finland at 9:15 a.m. ET. All U.S. games in the tournament will air live on NHL Network.

The U.S. has medaled in three of the last seven IIHF Men's World Championships (bronze in 2013, 2015, 2018), its best medal stretch since a period from 1939-53.

Roster

ROSTER OVERVIEW

Three goaltenders, nine defensemen and 14 forwards
Averages: Height: 6-1, Weight: 187, Age: 26
Youngest Player: Matty Beniers (18)
Oldest Player: Brian Boyle (36)
8 first or second-round NHL Draft picks
18 total medals won in world championship play, including 7 golds
8 players (6 full-time) have been part of USA Hockey's National Team Development Program, including Adam Clendening, Matty Beniers, Sasha Chmelevski, Ryan Donato, Matt Hellickson, Kevin Labanc, Jake Oettinger and Tage Thompson
Justin Abdelkader (1 bronze) and Jake Oettinger (2 gold, 2 bronze) have each represented the U.S. on the international stage four times to lead all players on the roster, followed by three appearances each by Tage Thompson (2 gold, 1 bronze) and Adam Clendening (2 gold).
The roster features one Olympian in Ryan Donato who played for Team USA in the 2018 Olympic Winter Games
Christian Wolanin is the lone returner from the 2019 U.S. Men’s National Team, the last senior U.S. Men’s National Team assembled. In addition to Wolanin, four other players have competed in the IIHF Men’s World Championship for Team USA previously including Tage Thompson (2018), Cal Peterson (2017), Chris Wideman (2016) and Justin Abdelkader (2014, 2012). Abdelkader served as captain of the 2014 squad.
Ten players are making their debut in an IIHF world championship, including Colin Blackwell, Brian Boyle, Conor Garland, Connor Mackey, Trevor Moore, Eric Robinson, Kevin Rooney, Matt Roy, Ryan Shea and Matt Tennyson
The 26 players come from 11 different states with Massachusetts (7), Michigan (4) and California (3) leading the way

A total of 23 players have competed in college hockey in the U.S., with 19 different schools represented. Harvard University leads the way with three representatives, while Boston University and University of Notre Dame each have two

NOTES: The staff and players of the 2021 U.S. Men's National Team are selected by Chris Drury (New York Rangers), general manager of the 2021 U.S. Men's National Team, along with members of the U.S. Men's National Team Advisory Group including Kevyn Adams (Buffalo Sabres), Stan Bowman (Chicago Blackhawks), Bill Guerin (Minnesota Wild), Tom Fitzgerald (New Jersey Devils), Lou Lamoriello (New York Islanders), David Poile (Nashville Predators), Don Waddell (Carolina Hurricanes) and Bill Zito (Florida Panthers). John Vanbiesbrouck, assistant executive director of hockey operations for USA Hockey, leads the U.S. Men's National Team Advisory Group ... For complete coverage of the U.S. Men’s National Team, visit teamusa.usahockey.com/2021mensworlds … The official IIHF home of the 2021 IIHF Men’s World Championship is 2021.IIHFWorlds.com … USA Hockey's international council, chaired by Gavin Regan (Potsdam, N.Y.), has oversight responsibilities for all U.S. national teams.