With the World Junior Championship off and running this week in Ottawa, a number of current and former USHL players are on display north of the border.

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Twelve current USHL players are competing in this year’s event while a number of alumni are competing at the 2025 WJC.

Here’s are some of the players to keep an eye on.

Current USHL Players

Rudolfs Berzkalns, F, Muskegon Lumberjacks (Latvia)

Berzkalns was tendered by Muskegon in November of 2023 and has appeared in 22 USHL games this season. So far Berzkalns has six points (3-3-6), including a pair of game-winning goals, and will now represent Latvia on the international stage.

The 6-foot-2, 192-pound forward is still 16 but is already a Boston College commit.

Peter Cisar, F, Fargo Force (Slovakia)

Cisar is third on the Fargo roster with 20 points through 23 games, including six goals and 14 assists. He’s also second on the Force with 32 penalty minutes.

Cisar had 15 points over 44 games in his first USHL season (2022-23) and 7-14-21 through 53 games last season. Cisar has played primarily wing for the Force this season and is a Northern Michigan commit. This will be Cisar’s second time representing Slovakia at the WJC as he played in one game last December.

THE FORCE IS STRONG WITH PETER

Peter Cisar with a beauty to give the Force a 1-0 lead! pic.twitter.com/jImIaWKkvX

— Fargo Force (@FargoForce) December 7, 2024

Alan Lendak, G, Fargo Force (Slovakia)

Lendak currently leads the USHL with 13 wins and his 2.27 GAA ranks second among USHL goaltenders, while his .916 save percentage ranks fifth. He’s also 11-1-0 since mid-October, which included an eight-game win streak.

This season has been Lendak’s first in North America and he’s helped solidify the crease for the defending Clark Cup champs. This will be his first time at the WJC but he has plenty of previous international experience.

Heikki Ruohonen, F, Dubuque Fighting Saints (Finland)

Ruohonen (PHI) was the first pick in the USHL Phase II Draft last spring and has played in 19 games for the Fighting Saints so far, scoring five times and adding seven assists. This is also Ruohonen’s first season in North America.

The 18-year-old forward was the Flyers' fourth-round pick last summer and has represented Finland previously at the U17 and U18 levels. Yet this will be his first WJC appearance. He’s one of the most intriguing forwards on the Finnish roster.

Samuel Urban, G, Sioux City Musketeers (Slovakia)

Urban returns to Slovakia’s WJC roster for a second consecutive year and is Slovakia’s starter this time around. He made 29 saves against Sweden on Thursday, followed by 28 saves Friday afternoon in a 2-1 win over Switzerland.

Urban is 10-8-1 so far this season for the Musketeers with a 3.31 GAA and .890 save percentage, along with a shutout. His 62 goals against are the most in the USHL but Urban won his final two starts before the holiday break.

USHL Alumni

Trey Augustine, G, NTDP (USA)

Augustine (DET) headlines a list of 10 returners from last year’s gold medal-winning squad, and the Michigan native will be making his third WJC appearance – becoming one of just four American goaltenders to ever do so.

Augustine is 11-2-1 so far this season at Michigan State and has been one of the nation’s top goaltenders. The sophomore owns a .930 save percentage and 1.98 GAA, and he’s recorded a pair of shutouts.

If USA is to accomplish what has never been done by an American team at the World Juniors, Trey Augustine (DET) is the biggest reason it's not just a pipe dream. More on USA's not-so-secret weapon #WorldJuniors https://t.co/LCEzejVe6F

— Chris Peters (@chrismpeters) December 24, 2024

Austin Burnevik, F, Madison Capitols / NTDP (USA)

Burnevik (ANA) offers David Carle some versatility and has a chance to play a key role in the American lineup, as he’s played on both the penalty kill and power play this season at St. Cloud State. Along with shining at 5-on-5.

Burnevik netted 40 goals in the USHL last season and that offensive production has followed him to college, as the freshman currently leads the SCSU roster with nine goals and 16 points through 17 games. Burnevik has an elite shot and isn’t afraid to use his frame to get to the net.

Michael Hrabal, G, Omaha Lancers (Czechia)

Hrabal (UTA) spent the 2022-23 season with the Omaha Lancers and is currently a sophomore at UMass. He’s 8-6-2 this season with a .917 save percentage and 2.49 GAA for the Minutemen.

The 6-foot-6 goaltender returns to the WJC for a second time as he’ll represent Czechia once again. Hrabal played in seven games at the 2024 WJC, going 4-3-0 with a .877 save percentage and 3.40 GAA.

Ryan Leonard, F, NTDP (USA)

Leonard (WSH) is one of the most dynamic forwards in this year’s field and will look to captain Team USA to another gold medal. Leonard starred in the Gold Medal Game last January and opted to return to Boston College for another season, where he’s been one of the nation’s best players.

The sophomore is currently tied for the NCAA lead with 12 goals, and his five game-winning goals are also tied for the NCAA lead. He was named the National Player of the Month for November as he scored eight goals and racked up 13 points over nine games, including a six-game goal streak.

Juraj Pekarcik, F, Dubuque Fighting Saints (Slovakia)

Pekarcik (STL) racked up 59 points (9-50-59) over 43 USHL games last season and his 50 assists ranked second in the USHL. Pekarcik opted to sign his entry-level deal with St. Louis last May but has spent this season with the QMJHL’s Moncton Wildcats.

Pekarcik has 12-23-35 through 29 games this season and is poised for a breakout performance in Ottawa. The left-shot forward is representing Slovakia for a second consecutive WJC as he played in five games last winter.

Pekky Points! #S4L Juraj Pekarcik adds an assist in the closing minutes of Slovakia's tournament opener! #Fighting15 #HalosHigh https://t.co/wqKr1qggGW

— Dubuque Fighting Saints (@fightingsaints) December 26, 2024

USHL Ties At The 2025 WJC

Finland

• Tom Leppä (Fargo Force)
• Heikki Ruohonen (Dubuque Fighting Saints)*

Germany

• Norwin Panocha (Green Bay Gamblers)*

United States

• Trey Augustine (NTDP)
• Zeev Buium (NTDP)
• Austin Burnevik (Madison Capitols)
• Trevor Connelly (Tri-City Storm)
• Cole Eiserman (NTDP)
• Paul Fischer (NTPD)
• Drew Fortescue (NTDP)
• James Hagens (NTDP)
• Logan Hensler (NTDP)
• Cole Hutson (NTDP)
• Adam Kleber (Lincoln Stars)
• Ryan Leonard (NTDP)
• Aram Minnetian (NTDP)
• Oliver Moore (NTDP)
• Danny Nelson (NTDP)
• Gabe Perrault (NTDP)
• Max Plante (NTDP)
• Colin Ralph (Dubuque Fighting Saints)
• Hampton Slukynsky (Fargo Force)
• Teddy Stiga (NTDP)
• Brandon Svoboda (Fargo Force/Youngstown Phantoms)
• Carey Terrance (NTDP)
• Brodie Ziemer (NTDP)

Latvia

• Rudolfs Berzkalns (Muskegon Lumberjacks)*
• Olivers Murnieks (Sioux City Musketeers)*

Czechia

• Michael Hrabel (Omaha Lancers)

Slovakia

• Richard Baran (Des Moines Buccaneers)*
• Peter Cisar (Fargo Force)*
• Daniel Alexander Jencko (Youngstown Phantoms)
• Alan Lendak (Fargo Force)*
• Juraj Pekarcik (Dubuque Fighting Saints)
• Tobias Pitka (Green Bay Gamblers)
• Luka Radivojevic (Muskegon Lumberjacks)*
• Miroslav Satan (Sioux Falls Stampede)*
• Maxim Strbak (Sioux Falls Stampede)
• Samuel Urban (Sioux City Musketeers)*

Sweden

• Melvin Strahl (Youngstown Phantoms)*

Switzerland

• Christian Kirsch (Green Bay Gamblers)*

List courtesy of the USHL. Active USHL players marked with *.

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