With Thanksgiving in the rearview, that means the holidays are in full swing. Hockey fans know what that equates to — the World Juniors.
Just a few months ago, the USA was bounced early at the 2022 World Juniors, losing in the quarterfinals to Czechia. After going undefeated in group play, the Americans went silent at the most inopportune time, resulting in a fifth-place finish in the tournament.
It was only the second time in the last six tournaments that the USA failed to medal at the event. It gives the crew added motivation as the competition in the Maritimes looms ahead.
The United States is going to have a much different feel to its 2023 roster, as a majority of the team has aged out from the summer. The pre-tournament camp roster for the USA will reportedly be announced at the beginning of next week on Monday, Dec. 5, with the camp opening at some point in mid-December.
MORE: When is the 2023 World Juniors?
As the organization begins the early stages of forming its group, The Sporting News takes a look at the potential roster for the USA at the 2023 World Juniors.
Team USA 2023 World Juniors projected roster
Forwards
| Left Wing | Center | Right Wing |
|---|---|---|
| Cutter Gauthier (PHI) | Logan Cooley (ARI) | Jimmy Snuggerud (STL) |
| Rutger McGroarty (WPG) | Chaz Lucius (WPG) | Ty Voit (TOR) |
| Sasha Pastujov (ANA) | Will Smith (2023 Draft) | Dylan Duke (TBL) |
| Tyler Boucher (OTT) | Red Savage (DET) | Charlie Stramel (2023 Draft) |
| Kenny Connors (LAK) | Jackson Blake (CAR) |
The USA doesn't have nearly as much star power up front as its previous teams, but there is still a lot to like about the potential forward group.
The one line that certainly makes the most sense to recreate is the Cutter Gauthier-Logan Cooley-Jimmy Snuggerud combination. The trio played with the national program, excelling as one of the program's top lines.
After that? It's a wide-open field in the middle six. The only locks for the second and third lines should be Chaz Lucius as the second-line center and then Dylan Duke and Sasha Pastujov as two of the wings. 2023 draft prospect Will Smith as the third-line center, but we could see UMass standout Kenny Connors taking that spot. Ty Voit, the OHL's leading scorer, can play up and down the lineup, as well as Rutger McGroarty.
Red Savage was excellent centering the fourth line on the 2022 team and should return to that role. Charlie Stramel, who was on the 2022 roster, but did not play much, should get another crack at a bottom-six role with his big frame and physicality. While we could see the potential for Tyler Boucher to play in the middle-six, he's better suited for a checking role.
We will see Connors rotated in the lineup, as he's a highly talented two-way player. If he's comfortable playing wing, we could see him playing on that fourth line rather than Stramel.
The other extra spot goes to Jackson Blake, who is a playmaking wing and has had a great freshman year at North Dakota. However, we could see Blake passed over for the likes of Isaac Howard, Gavin Brindley, Ryan Leonard or Cameron Lund.
Defense
| Left Defense | Right Defense |
|---|---|
| Jack Peart (MIN) | Luke Hughes (NJD) |
| Lane Hutson (MON) | Ryan Chesley (WAS) |
| Sean Behrens (COL) | Shai Buium (DET) |
| Roman Schmidt (TBL) | |
| Seamus Casey (NJD) |
Leading the way on the blue line for the USA will be Luke Hughes. He was sensational for the team at the 2022 tournament and can be flexible playing either side. The Devils prospect will shoulder quarterback the top power play unit as well.
Jack Peart and Sean Behrens were both on the roster from the summer and should return again for the December tournament. The two are lefties and should take up spots on that side.
Lane Hutson has been incredible in his freshman season at Boston University and plays a very similar style to Hughes. While having the two together could give other teams fits attacking off the rush, it's probably wise to split them up.
Ryan Chesley and Seamus Casey are two strong options on the right side; both are great puck movers. Shai Buium, Behrens' teammate at Denver, is another lefty that can play either side and his versatility will be key for the USA blue line.
With many of the defensemen on the roster being smaller, puck-moving players, Roman Schmidt will bring something different to the table. He is a towering figure that can add physicality to their defense.
Other blue liners that should compete for a roster spot are Ryan Ufko, Ty Gallagher and Aidan Hreschuk.
Goalies
| Goalie |
|---|
| Kaidan Mbereko (Undrafted) |
| Trey Augustine (2023 Draft) |
| Tyler Muszelik (FLA) |
Like the 2022 crew, the 2023 USA roster's biggest weakness will be in net. Kaiden Mbereko is eligible to return after starting for the team this summer and has played well in his freshman year at Colorado College.
Trey Augustine figures to give Mbereko the best run at taking over reps as the No. 1. The NTDP goalie backstopped the USA at the 2021 U18 Worlds, putting up respectable numbers, and has played strong with the program this season.
Tyler Muszelik, another product of the national development program, likely will be the third goalie on the roster. While he is not off to a great start in his first year at the University of New Hampshire, he was on the roster for USA at the U18 Worlds, playing behind Augustine.