Breaking down Team USA: World Junior Championship roster announced
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Zeev Buium, a key player in Denver's NCAA Championship run, brings offensive skill and high hockey IQ to the blue line.
On Dec. 2, 2024, USA Hockey announced the preliminary training camp roster for the 2025 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Junior Championship. The World Junior Championship is an annual event for national ice hockey teams for those under 20 years old from around the world, allowing them to compete on a world stage. The main tournament features the world’s top 10 ranked hockey nations, making up the upper division, from which a world champion is crowned.
Since winning the gold medal last year, Team USA has sought to maintain its best-of-the-best status. With 28 players on the schedule, including three goaltenders, 10 defensemen, and 15 forwards, the US will surely have considerable success and impact on the competition. With many notable names either from the last World Juniors or in college hockey, the Team USA roster is stacked, so here are a few of the— hopefully —most successful players in this year's Championship.
Starting with goaltending, the US is lucky to have Trey Augustine as their starter. The sophomore goaltender has a 1.70 goals against average (GAA) and a .938 save percentage, labeling him the best player between the pipes heading into the tournament. While all eyes are in awe of Augustine, the roster also has Sam Hillebrandt and Hampton Slukynsky, both of whom are reliable goaltenders in of themselves.
The talent extends further into the blue line, with players like defenseman Zeev Buium and Drew Fortescue. Buium was a catalyst for the University of Denver’s recent National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Championship title; with 16 points in 14 games played, his incredible hockey IQ, and his offensive-minded defense, he will once again be a crucial player.
A seasoned veteran of the World Juniors, like Drew Fortescue, will help to balance out the new and old faces on this US team. At last year’s competition, Fortescue had four total points, with one goal and three assists. He was more well-known for his ability to play a steady defense. This New York Rangers draft pick currently attends Boston College and is at plus-11 with two assists in 13 games.
Some of the NCAA’s best are leading the offense, with center James Hagens and wingers Ryan Leonard and Gabe Perreault. Hagens is the undisputed top draft pick in the 2025 National Hockey League (NHL) draft. He is an impeccable player and received an “A” on the “NHL Central’s Scouting preliminary players to watch list.”
More veteran players like Leonard and Perreault will prove to be vital to Team USA’s success in this competition. Playing on a line together at Boston College, their great chemistry and connection will hopefully translate to a world stage, meaning great things for the US. Leonard has 17 points in 13 games and is arguably one of the best—if not the best—players in college hockey right now. On the other hand, Perreault has 20 points in 13 games played and is also considered one the best in the NCAA right now.
As the tournament approaches, the focus will be on maintaining the momentum of last year’s triumph and adapting to the fierce competition from other top-tier nations. With a roster full of depth and versatility, Team USA is poised to make a strong statement at this year's IIHF World Juniors Championships.