42 Players Named To Initial U.S. Roster For 2018 World Jr Showcase

By USAHockey.com, 06/15/18, 7:45AM EDT

Camp Runs July 28 - Aug.4 in Kamloops, British Columbia; Clark, Mikesch Tabbed Guest Camp Coaches

USA Hockey announced today the 42 players that have been invited to the 2018 World Junior Summer Showcase that will be held from July 28-Aug. 4 in Kamloops, British Columbia, at the Sandman Centre. The players will audition for a spot on the U.S. National Junior Team that will take part in the 2019 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship, Dec. 26, 2018, through Jan. 5, 2019, in Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia.

U.S. Original Roster

Of the 42 players attending, six are returnees from last year's U.S. National Junior Team that claimed the bronze medal at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship in Buffalo, N.Y. Additionally, 25 players have won medals at IIHF events.

The United States enters the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship having earned three-straight medals (gold - 2017, bronze - 2016, 2018) for the first time in tournament history.

The week-long camp will include 11 international competitions between Canada, Finland, Sweden and the United States.

Clark, Mikesch To Serve As Guest Camp Coaches

Chris Clark (South Windsor, Conn.) and Pat Mikesch (Hancock, Mich.) will serve as guest coaches for the United States at the 2018 World Junior Summer Showcase. Currently the development coach for the NHL's Columbus Blue Jackets, Clark skated in 607 career NHL games for the Calgary Flames, Washington Capitals and Columbus, amassing 103 goals and 111 assists for 214 points. Clark, the fourth longest tenured captain in Capitals history, skated for two U.S. Men's National Teams (2002, 2007). Mikesch enters his fifth season as head coach and general manager of the USHL's Green Bay Gamblers and eighth season within the organization. A USHL Anderson Cup and Clark Cup champion with the Gamblers in 2011-12, Mikesch has served as head coach for three U.S. Under-17 Men's Select Teams (2011-13), compiling a perfect 15-0 record.

Notes: Visit teamusa.usahockey.com/worldjuniors for more information ... The 42 player camp roster consists of 12 states, including Michigan (10), Minnesota (8), Massachusetts (6), Illinois (4), Florida (3), New Jersey (3), Connecticut (2), New York (2), California (1), Missouri (1), Ohio (1) and Pennsylvania (1) ... Of the 42 players invited to the U.S. camp roster, 20 have been drafted or signed by an NHL team, while another 20 are eligible for the 2018 NHL Draft, which begins next Friday (June 22) ... Twelve players invited competed in the United States Hockey League during the 2017-18 season, including eight from USA Hockey's National Team Development Program ... Twenty-one players spent time in the college hockey ranks last season, while another 12 players are expected to make their collegiate debuts this season ... Seventeen of the 42 players participated in last year's camp ... John Vanbiesbrouck (Detroit, Mich.) is the general manager of the 2019 U.S. National Junior Team ... Mike Hastings (Crookston, Minn.) is the head coach of the 2019 U.S. National Junior Team with David Lassonde (Durham, N.H.), Steve Miller (Columbus, Ohio) and Scott Sandelin (Hibbing, Minn.) serving as assistant coaches ... USA Hockey's international council, chaired by Gavin Regan (Potsdam, N.Y.), vice president of USA Hockey, has oversight responsibilities for all U.S. national teams.