Six players from USA's 2021 championship team will return as the nation looks to win gold in consecutive years.
Cue the title defense run.
USA Hockey has announced its 25-man roster for the upcoming World Junior Championship in Alberta.
Six players from the 2021 team will return, led by Matty Beniers, Brett berard, Landon Slaggert, Jake Sanderson, Tyler Kleven and Brock Faber. Twenty of the 25 players currently play in the NCAA, with Sasha Pastujov and Tanner Dickerson being the lone players from the Canadian Hockey League.
Below is the full roster that will begin battle against Slovakia on Dec. 26 in Red Deer:
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Goaltenders:
Drew Commesso, Boston University, NCAA (CHI)
Kaidan Mbereko, Lincoln, USHL (2022)
Dylan Silverstein, USNTDP (2022)
Defensemen:
Brock Faber, University of Michigan, NCAA (LAK)
Luke Hughes, University of Michigan, NCAA (NJD)
Wyatt Kaiser, University of Minnesota Duluth, NCAA (CHI)
Tyler Kleven, University of North Dakota, NCAA (OTT)
Ian Moore, Harvard University, NCAA (ANA)
Scott Morrow, University of Massachusetts, NCAA (CAR)
Jack Peart, St. Cloud State University, NCAA (MIN)
Jake Sanderson, University of North Dakota, NCAA (OTT)
Forwards:
Matthew Beniers, University of Michigan, NCAA (SEA)
Brett Berard, Providence College, NCAA (NYR)
Logan Cooley, USNTDP (2022)
Matt Coronato, Harvard University, NCAA (CGY)
Tanner Dickinson, Soo Greyhounds, OHL (STL)
Dominic James, University of Minnesota Duluth, NCAA (2022)
Matt Knies, University of Minnesota, NCAA (TOR)
Chaz Lucius, University of Minnesota, NCAA (WPG)
Carter Mazur, University of Denver, NCAA (DET)
Sasha Pastujov, Guelph Storm, OHL (ANA)
Mackie Samoskevich, University of Michigan, NCAA (FLA)
Red Savage, Miami University, NCAA (DET)
Landon Slaggert, University of Notre Dame (CHI)
Ty Smilanic, Quinnipiac University, NCAA (FLA)