The U.S. forward group is loaded with returning talent from last year’s World Junior gold-medal team team and includes a litany of new faces with a wide array of skills to help the Americans go for their first repeat gold at the World Juniors.

As Team USA goes for its unprecedented second consecutive gold medal, returning forward Ryan Leonard will wear the “C.” The Boston College star and Washington Capitals prospect was widely expected to be the player picked to be USA’s leader after eschewing an NHL contract in the offseason in part to be part of this team.

Team USA is going to have to get a lot out of its blue line in order to contend for the gold medal for a second straight year. This is the area of the roster that has the least amount of experience on USA’s roster with three returning players, only two of which were regulars on last year’s team.

The Michigan State Spartans enjoyed a resurgent season in 2023-24. Fueled by key transfers and one of the best recruiting classes the program had seen in years, Michigan State won the Big Ten regular-season and postseason titles.

The NHL Central Scouting Bureau released its preliminary players to watch list on Wednesday. This list serves as an early assessment of 2025 draft-eligible prospects, providing graded evaluations from all major development leagues.

The men’s college hockey season started last week, but many more of the top teams in the NCAA will be getting things going this weekend.

Each year, there seems to be a more robust group of NHL Draft-eligible prospects playing in men’s college hockey. It’s now an annual occurrence that one of the very best players for the forthcoming draft will be spending one of the most crucial years of his career in the NCAA.

In a trade of top prospects, the Pittsburgh Penguins have acquired Rutger McGroarty from the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for Brayden Yager, according to multiple reports and first broken by Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet. McGroarty was the No. 14 overall pick in 2022 and Yager went 14th overall in 2023. Both were among their system’s top prospects.

PLYMOUTH, Michigan – There were 25 forwards in Team USA’s World Junior Summer Showcase camp, all vying for spots alongside a number of returning players that will be looking to defend gold at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship.

PLYMOUTH, Michigan – At the World Junior Summer Showcase, Team USA had some clear luxuries with the returnees they have at forward and in net. But the defense is going to still be a work in progress with three returnees from last year’s roster including one who did not play in any games.

PLYMOUTH, Michigan – Team USA has entered the second phase of its evaluation camp as players continue trying to showcase why they belong at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship.

PLYMOUTH, Mich. – The second day of games at the World Junior Summer Showcase brought two competitive affairs as USA Blue took on Finland and USA White met Sweden.

PLYMOUTH, Michigan – In the first day of game action at the World Junior Summer Showcase, USA coach David Carle got his first good look at the 40-plus players that are in the mix to be part of the 25-man roster for Team USA at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship in December.

The Michigan State Hockey program is likely to hear the name of one of the program’s best players early in the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft on June 28 in Las Vegas.

LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- The only thing hotter than the desert heat is the anticipation for Friday night's first round. It wouldn't be Las Vegas without fireworks and whether it's the order of the picks or the trades that could happen, there should be a ton of activity.