USA Hockey today named 29 players to the preliminary roster of its 2021 U.S. National Junior Team. The group, which includes 10 members of the 2020 U.S. National Junior Team, will gather for a training camp at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Mich., starting Dec. 6. UND freshman defenseman Jake Sanderson is among the 29.
Players are auditioning for a spot on the final 25-player roster that will represent the United States in the 2021 World Junior Championship set for Edmonton, Alberta, from Dec. 25, 2020 – Jan. 5, 2021. The final roster will be announced on Dec. 13, prior to the team’s departure from Plymouth to Edmonton that day.
“We have a talented group and we’ll have some tough decisions to make,” said John Vanbiesbrouck, general manager of the 2021 U.S. National Junior Team and also the assistant executive director of hockey operations for USA Hockey. “We continue to benefit from a deep player pool, and that’s credit to all of the organizations and volunteers developing the next wave of American talent.”
Sanderson, a first-round NHL Draft selection by the Ottawa Senators, is in Omaha, Neb., with the Fighting Hawks awaiting the season-opening NCHC pod. There, UND will play 10 games over 19 days from Dec. 2-20 in Baxter Arena.
The 29 players, comprised of the top American players born in 2001 or later, hail from 14 different states. A total of 26 players are currently playing, or previously played college hockey. Denver forward Booby Brink will also represent the NCHC on the preliminary roster.
(USA Hockey release)
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