In less than a month, USA Hockey will bring together its top candidates for the U.S. National Junior Team in Plymouth, Mich., as they take the final steps towards the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship.

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Team USA enters the tournament as the defending gold medalists, looking to accomplish something that hasn’t been done by a U.S. team in the tournaments history – go back-to-back at the top of the podium.

With the tournament being hosted in Ottawa, Ontario, it will be a hostile environment for the U.S. squad, who will find their World Junior hosts in the same group. Lucky for USA, they have a large number of potential returning players to help build out their roster.

With the expectation that we’ll see a USA camp roster in the next few weeks, I decided to take my own stab at what the group is going to look like. We’ll take a look at the players that I think are locks for the final roster, those who are likely to be on the team, those on the bubble and highlight some of the players that I think are at least worthy of a longer look in camp.

Before we get to the camp outlook, let’s take a look at the biggest lingering question for Team USA.

Will The Sharks Loan Will Smith To Team USA?

While Will Smith’s first foray into the NHL hasn’t necessarily been smooth, I’ve been led to believe that USA is planning not to have Smith. As much as I think it might be helpful for him to go gain some confidence at a level he’s had success at previously, the Sharks have to do what they feel is best for the young player’s development. If that means sticking with the big club for them, then he won't be available. I don't know that anything has been finalized on that front, though. It just seems very unlikely.

If Will Smith doesn’t get loaned, then the center depth definitely takes a hit, but that is a hit the decision makers were already prepared for. Smith was not in their summer camp and that meant a lot of No. 1 center reps for James Hagens, who is basically already doing the same thing for Boston College – replacing Will Smith.

Who Are The Locks To Make Team USA At The 2025 World Juniors?

The locks for the U.S. roster are really no surprise. All of the returning players that were part of the gold medal team I think are completely dialed in and will be part of the final roster. 

• Gabe Perreault, LW, Boston College (NYR)
• Ryan Leonard, RW, Boston College (WSH)
• Oliver Moore, C, Minnesota (CHI)
• Danny Nelson, C, Notre Dame (NYI)
• Zeev Buium, D, Denver (MIN)
• Drew Fortescue, D, Boston College (NYR)
• Trey Augustine, G, Michigan State (DET)
• James Hagens, C, Boston College (2025 NHL Draft)

The U.S. has a strong group of returning players led by Perreault and Leonard who played starring roles in USA’s gold-medal game. I think there’s a good chance Ryan Leonard wears the C for this team and will be a major factor offensively. 

On the blue line, Zeev Buium and Drew Fortescure should get the big minutes and could potentially play as a pairing in the end. Buium in particular should see a massive minutes increase year over year as he fills the role played by Lane Hutson on last year’s gold medal team.

Trey Augustine is really the key. I think he’s the best goalie in the tournament by a significant margin and is the biggest reason USA has serious gold medal hopes. He’s heading into his third WJC and has proven he can win the big games.

Hagens is the only non-returning player I have listed as a lock. He should be USA’s No. 1 center and a significant piece of the offensive puzzle for the U.S.

Who Is Likely To Make Team USA At The 2025 World Juniors?

• Cole Eiserman, RW, Boston University (NYI)
• Carey Terrance, C/W, Erie Otters (ANA)
• Cole Hutson, D, Boston University (WSH)
• EJ Emery, D, North Dakota (NYR)
• Adam Kleber, D, Minnesota Duluth (BUF)
• Paul Fischer, D, Notre Dame (STL)
• Hampton Slukynsky, G, Western Michigan (LAK)
• Brodie Ziemer, RW, Minnesota (BUF)

There are a few players on this list that I feel pretty confident will be on Team USA, but this also goes to shows how there’s at least enough uncertainty in the player pool that I think you have to hedge a little.

Eiserman’s goal-scoring ability is a critical piece, Terrance is among the most versatile players on this team and has a dynamic speed factor to him. Hutson and Emery are a pairing from last year’s U18 team that worked very well and played significant minutes. I think they can do it again at the WJC level.

Hampton Slukynsky looks like the best option to be the No. 2 goalie for Team USA. He’s sharing the net at Western with Cam Rowe, but when he’s been in action, he’s played well. There’s a strong likelihood he’ll spell Augustine for a game to keep the starter fresh heading into the medal round and that will give him a chance to showcase his growing skillset.

The USA blue line is really one of the challenges to build out. They have a number of impressive options and I think both Kleber and Fischer have played among the most convincingly to start the season to warrant inclusion. Kleber has size and mobility, while Fischer’s production has increased this year and he still plays steady defense.

Ziemer had a tremendous summer camp and has played well enough at Minnesota that I think he could be a great third- or fourth-line option for Team USA.

Players On The Bubble To Make Team USA At The 2025 World Juniors

These players all have a chance to make Team USA and have a chance to be invited to Team USA’s final camp in mid-December. The size of this group is, admittedly, a bit bigger than what the actual bubble probably is. That said, I think each player on here has a case to be considered.

• Aram Minnetian, D, Boston College (DAL)
• Trevor Connelly, LW, Providence (VGK)
• Max Plante, LW, Minnesota Duluth (DET)
• Brandon Svoboda, LW, Boston University (SJS)
• Zach Schulz, D, Wisconsin (NYI)
• Logan Hensler, D, Wisconsin (2025 NHL Draft)
• Beckett Hendrickson, C/W, Minnesota (BOS)
• Teddy Stiga, RW, Boston College (NSH)
• Austin Burnevik, LW, St. Cloud State (ANA)
• James Reeder, C/W, Denver (LAK)
• Tanner Adams, LW, Providence 
• AJ Spellacy, RW, Windsor Spitfires (CHI)
• Quentin Musty, RW, Sudbury Wolves (SJS)
• Chris Pelosi, C, Quinnipiac (BOS)
• Noah Powell, RW, Ohio State (PHI)
• Nick Kempf, G, Notre Dame (WSH)
• Sam Hillebrandt, G, Barrie Colts 

I’m going to get in the bigger names on the bubble list in just a few minutes, but to look at the rest of this group, there are plenty of legit options to be on Team USA.

Aram Minnetian was on the team last year, but didn’t get in a game. He had a lukewarm summer evaluation camp, but has played well for BC this season in big minutes. I think he’s very likely one of the eight defensemen USA takes, but if you’re bringing him, you want him playing. He has good two-way ability and can skate.

What makes Minnetian’s status unclear is that players like Logan Hensler may bring a bit more to the table physically, but may lack experience and have only been OK to start the season. Hensler has played good minutes for Wisconsin, but hasn’t really opened things up offensively and it’s hard to really find what role he could play on this team. I think he’d make sense as a seventh or extra defenseman still.

Players like Max Plante, Brandon Svoboda, Zach Schulz, Beckett Hendrickson, Noah Powell and Chris Pelosi are all in the mix based largely on their summer camp performance. None has especially stood out in college, though Plante had a significant injury to start the season. Svoboda brings size and speed, Schulz is a former NTDP captain, and the rationale goes on and on. 

Players playing well during the season like Austin Burnevik, James Reeder and AJ Spellacy are some that have to be considered based on that. I also added Zach Nehring as a potential surprise add after not being in camp. He's played well early for Western Michigan and has some size. This camp is often used to get an extra look at players like him who weren't part of plans before.

A lot of these players feel interchangeable as opposed to must-haves, which is why they’re all residing in bubble world.

As for goalies, I think we’re only talking about the No. 3 goalie as up for grabs. Sam Hillebrandt was that last year for Team USA, but that is likely a position that should go to a player who is eligible for next year’s tournament. That’s why I think Kempf ultimately gets that nod.

How a player is playing coming into the tournament matters and that can be the difference between being in camp and being on the outside looking in when it’s close between players. Summer camp performances matter, but not more than how a player is progressing. So we could even see a few players outside of this bubble get an invite.

What Are Trevor Connelly's Chances For Team USA?

I think Trevor Connelly is going to be in Team USA’s camp and I think there’s going to be some clear messaging to him in terms of what it will take to make the team. Connelly is among the most talented players on this entire list. He’s a top-six talent all day. 

That said, in short tournaments like the World Juniors, you have got to be trustworthy. A coach has to put you out there thinking you’re not going to do anything that actively hurts the team. Unfortunately for Connelly, his on-ice track record makes that a little more difficult.

Last year, he got a five-minute major and game misconduct for checking to the head in a gold-medal game that Team USA ended up watching a gold medal slip through their hands. It was a bad mistake, and one that Connelly certainly regrets, but it’s something the U.S. brass can’t ignore.

On Nov. 16, Connelly also reminded the decision makers that he can play with a temper at times. He got a five-minute major and game misconduct on Nov. 16, in a call that was debated quite a bit in terms of the severity of the penalty. He also got a few game misconducts in the USHL in his career.

The risk factor is increased and in tournaments like this, those kinds of mistakes can cost you gold medals.

The counterpoint that I think will overcome the rest is that, aside from that major penalty in the gold-medal game last year, Connelly's performance in a USA jersey has been remarkable. He has never had fewer than nine points in a tournament, leading both the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup team and World Junior A Challenge in scoring, while finishing with nine points in last year's World U18s in a middle-six role. At his best, he is a difference maker. 

How Is Quentin Musty On The Team USA Bubble?

There are going to be some names on here that might puzzle you as bubble players, Quentin Musty being at the top of the list. To be completely honest, I don’t think his chances of making the team are especially great. It’s not a slight on him as a prospect or player. I think this purely comes down to fit.

Musty spent the first part of this season sitting out as he tried to force a trade out of Sudbury. When none materialized, he went back to playing and has played well. He has size and he’s a proven scorer. But even in summer camp, you could see that there might not be a natural spot for him on this roster. Pace and inconsistent effort were among the reasons you could see USA potentially leaving him off. I don’t think this is the political USA vs. CHL players thing, either. It’s just a fit thing. 

If I were putting the team together, I think he’d at least be in camp and I’d want to give a player with his scoring potential every chance to make the team. But I don't know if that will be the case.

Team USA World Junior Roster Projection Pre-Camp 

Keep in mind that picking the roster before USA even holds its camp is a fraught exercise. There have been plenty of instances where players got their way in with a late push. That said, I think this looks fairly close to what we'd ultimately see when the final roster is selected. It's a semi-educated guess, though.

Also note, IIHF rules allow teams to carry 22 skaters and three goaltenders. Only 20 skaters and two skaters can be on the active roster at the same time. However, this year, all players registered are eligible to be included in the active roster. So each team can carry two extra skaters to be used as needed throughout the tournament. It's the first time that we've seen this kind of roster flexibility at the World Juniors, which is a great addition and will allow more players to see game action, as opposed to sitting and waiting for two weeks with no possibility to play without an injury. So here is what I have for USA's roster with 22 skaters and three goalies.

Forwards

Gabe Perreault (NYR) – James Hagens (2025) – Ryan Leonard (WSH)

Trevor Connelly (VGK) – Oliver Moore (CHI) – Cole Eiserman (NYI)

Max Plante (DET) - Danny Nelson (NYI) – Brodie Ziemer (BUF)

Brandon Svoboda (SJS) – Carey Terrance (ANA) – James Reeder (LAK)

Austin Burnevik (ANA) - Teddy Stiga (NSH)

Defense

Zeev Buium (MIN) – Drew Fortescue (NYR)

Cole Hutson (WSH) – EJ Emery (NYR)

Paul Fischer (STL) – Adam Kleber (BUF)

Logan Hensler (2025) – Aram Minnetian (DAL)

Goalies

Trey Augustine (DET)

Hampton Slukynsky (LAK)

Nick Kempf (WSH)

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