COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - USA Hockey today announced the first 21 players for the U.S. Junior Select Team that will compete in the 2022 World Junior A Challenge from Dec. 11-18 in Cornwall, Ontario. The U.S. has won five of the last eight tournaments (2018, 2016, 2012-14).
The group includes 12 forwards, seven defensemen and two goaltenders.
All players currently compete in the United States Hockey League, the only Tier I junior hockey league in the U.S.
The roster is highlighted by five players selected in the 2022 NHL Draft, including Sam Rinzel (Chanhassen, Minn./Waterloo Black Hawks), who was chosen with the 15th overall pick in the first round by the Chicago Blackhawks; Quinn Finley (Suamico, Wis./Madison Capitols), who was selected by the New York Islanders (3rd round/78th overall); Winnipeg Jets fourth round (99th overall) selection Garret Brown (San Jose, Calif./Sioux City Musketeers); Alex Bump (Prior Lake, Minn./Omaha Lancers), taken in the fifth round by the Philadelphia Flyers (133rd); and Jake Richard (Jacksonville, Fla./Muskegon Lumberjacks), drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in the sixth round (170th).
Several players have represented the U.S. at previous international events. Ryan St. Louis (Burlington, Vt./Dubuque Fighting Saints) competed at the 2021 IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championship, the 2020 Under-17 Five Nations Tournament, 2019 Under-17 Four Nations Tournament and 2019 World Under-17 Challenge.
Additionally, Gavin McCarthy (Clarence Center, N.Y./Muskegon Lumberjacks), Andrew Strathmann (Beach Park, Ill./Youngstown Phantoms) and Tanner Adams (Northport, N.Y./Tri-City Storm) competed together for the U.S. at the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and 2021 Five Nations Tournament.
Five players have also competed in the BioSteel All-American Game, an annual event featuring the top American players eligible for the NHL Draft, including Maddox Fleming (Rochester, Minn./Sioux Falls Stampede), Cole Knuble (Grand Rapids, Mich./Fargo Force), Brown and Rinzel in the 2022 game, while St. Louis took part in the 2021 event.
The U.S. will play a pre-tournament game against Canada East at 7 p.m. ET on Dec. 9 at the Cornwall Civic Complex in Cornwall, Ontario. Team USA will kick off tournament play at 5 p.m. ET on Dec. 11 against Canada West.
Notes: All games of the World Junior A Challenge will be streamed live and the link will be available on the 2022 World Junior A homepage … Twelve USHL teams are represented on the roster … The Muskegon Lumberjacks lead the way with four players … The 21 players come from 10 different states … Minnesota boasts the most representatives with eight … Marc Boxer (Hancock, Mich.) is the general manager of the 2022 U.S. Junior Select Team. Eric Rud (Inver Grove Heights, Minn./Sioux Falls Stampede) will serve as head coach, with assistant coaches Evan Dixon (Novi, Mich./Dubuque Fighting Saints), Mike Leone (Dearborn Heights, Mich./Green Bay Gamblers) and Matt Smaby (Minneapolis, Minn./Waterloo Black Hawks). Additionally, Spenser Popinga (Waterloo, Iowa/Waterloo Black Hawks) will serve as strength & conditioning coach/equipment manager; Corey Courtney (Lincoln, Neb./Lincoln Stars) as trainer/equipment manager; and Dr. Kevin Murray (San Jose, Calif.) as team doctor. Ted Belisle (Bemidji, Minn./Los Angeles Kings), Rod Braceful (Detroit, Mich./Chicago Blackhawks), John Burkart (South Lyon, Mich./Tampa Bay Lightning) and Rick Comley (Plymouth, Mich./Arizona Coyotes) will serve as player personnel … The 2022 World Junior A Challenge field includes Canada East, Canada West, Czechia, Latvia, Sweden and the United States.
Date | Opponent/Round | Local Time (ET)/Result | Location | Player of Game | Stats |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fri., Dec. 9 | Canada East Pre-Tournament |
W, 6-1 | Cornwall Civic Complex Cornwall, Ont. |
-- | Live Stats |
Sun., Dec. 11 | Canada West Preliminary |
L, 5-3 | Cornwall Civic Complex Cornwall, Ont. |
Cole Knuble | Live Stats |
Tues., Dec 13 | Sweden Preliminary |
W, 3-0 | Cornwall Civic Complex Cornwall, Ont. |
Jacob Fowler | Live Stats |
Wed., Dec 14 | Canada East Preliminary |
W, 7-2 | Cornwall Civic Complex Cornwall, Ont. |
Garrett Schifsky | Live Stats |
Fri., Dec 16 | Latvia Preliminary |
W, 9-0 | Cornwall Civic Complex Cornwall, Ont. |
Eric Pohlkamp | Live Stats |
Sat., Dec. 17 | Sweden Semifinals |
W, 4-3 | Cornwall Civic Complex Cornwall, Ont. |
Eric Pohlkamp | Live Stats |
Sun., Dec. 18 | Canada East Championship Game |
W, 5-2 | Cornwall Civic Complex Cornwall, Ont. |
Jacob Fowler | Live Stats |