“We have had a long process evaluating this team dating back to the Summer Showcase and scouting these players throughout their seasons,” said John Vanbiesbrouck, general manager of the 2022 U.S. National Junior Team and also the assistant executive director of hockey operations for USA Hockey. “We had a great camp and our players and staff have done everything we’ve asked of them. We believe in these 25 players and we all have the same goal heading into Alberta.”

The roster, comprised of players born in 2002 or later, come from 16 different states. A total of 20 players are currently playing college hockey.

Team USA will face Slovakia in its first preliminary matchup Dec. 26 at WP Centrium with opening faceoff set for 7:30 p.m. local time/9:30 p.m. ET. In its 14th year televising the tournament, NHL Network will provide live game telecasts of all U.S. games, plus comprehensive previews, highlights, analysis and interviews within its studio programming.

NOTES: Nate Leaman (East Greenwich, Rhode Island/Providence College) is the head coach of the 2022 U.S. National Junior Team with Ted Donato (Scituate, Massachusetts/Harvard University), Kris Mayotte (Pittsburgh, Pa./Colorado College), and Steve Miller (Sun Prairie, Wis./Ohio State University) serving as assistant coaches, and Theresa Feaster (Providence, R.I./Providence College) as video coach … The United States enters the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship having earned medals in five of the last six tournaments, including most recently winning its fifth gold medal in 2021 in Edmonton, Alberta. To date, the U.S. National Junior Team has claimed 13 medals, including five gold (2021, 2017, 2013, 2010, 2004), two silver (2019, 1997) and six bronze (2018, 2016, 2011, 2007, 1992, 1986).