Luke Hughes, the No. 4 overall pick of the New Jersey Devils in the 2021 NHL Draft, has been named captain of the U.S. National Junior Team for the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship. The University of Michigan sophomore defenseman will be joined in the U.S. leadership group by defenseman Sean Behrens (Colorado Avalanche) and forward Red Savage (Detroit Red Wings), who were named alternate captains.

The U.S. National Junior Team camp roster was released Monday by USA Hockey. Of the 32 players invited to camp, 18 were forwards. USA Hockey's decisionmakers will have to cut that list down by about five players to get to the 13 they'll likely enter the tournament with.

As it seemingly does every year, the World Juniors is sneaking up on us a little bit. The 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship is just over a month away and sooner yet the preliminary rosters for national team camps will be announced.