WJC: 2022 Team USA Roster Talk

[Deep Blue Metallic]

Decimated by players who've opted out.

Anything better than average goaltending and leaving home without a medal (and not challenging for gold) would be a huge disappointment.

This is a good thing, demonstrating the ongoing improvement of American hockey.

Our WJC team is now having to face similar eligible-players-not-showing challenges Canada has had to face for many years, and we'll still be a strong contender to win gold.

 

[Dominance]

Not a ton of info coming out of camp for a tournament where the camp is going to matter more than ever, so this hardly qualifies as an educated projection, but nonetheless:

Forward (x14):

Matt Knies - Thomas Bordeleau - Mackie Samoskevich
Brett Berard - Logan Cooley - Matt Coronato
Sasha Pastujov - Aidan Thompson - Carter Mazur
Landon Slaggert - Dominic James - Josh Doan
Red Savage - Frank Nazar

Defense (x8):

Wyatt Kaiser - Brock Faber
Tyler Kleven - Luke Hughes
Jack Peart - Ian Moore
Sean Behrens - Ty Gallagher

Goalies (x3):

Jacob Fowler
Braden Holt
Kaidan Mbereko
​

Notes:

Decimated by players who've opted out. Thankfully that's not unique to our team but we're missing the following:

- Forwards: Matty Beniers, Cruz Lucius, Tanner Dickinson, Ty Smilanic​

- Defensemen: Jake Sanderson, Scott Morrow​

- Goalies: Drew Commesso, Dylan Silverstein​

The goalies are the biggest losses. We're losing one of the best in the tournament (Commesso) and a guy who could capably replace him (Silverstein). Now we're left with a guy who'll be there (Mbereko) but isn't very good, and more unproven guys. Hopefully one of Fowler or Holt rises to the occasion. Fowler is young (not draft eligible until 2023) but I've seen him most out of the options besides Mbereko and I was impressed with him in the USHL this past season.

​

While my roster certainly won't be accurate, this team should be a medal contender at worst if they get average goaltending. The forward and defense groups are still very good and deep even with all the missing players. Anything better than average goaltending and leaving home without a medal (and not challenging for gold) would be a huge disappointment.

Especially with no Team Russia, expectations for the Americans should not really be any different than usual. Every team is missing important players, and Team Canada raises your “decimated by players opting out” by the tune of Byfield, Drysdale, Perfetti, Jarvis, Guhle, Barron, Neighbours, Power, McTavish, Guenther, Sillinger, Cossa, Johnston, and Wright (if this list is not even longer than I can recall at this time). An entire forward corps, our three best defensemen, and our starting goalie. No other country competing for gold has cause to be morose.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

We’re huge underdogs. I’m hoping for a lot of 2022 and 2023 draft eligibles on the team. I don’t care to see half a team of 6th and 7th round picks who’ll never make the NHL so USAH can say they continued their tradition of always picking a lot of 19 year olds.

 

[Dominance]

We’re huge underdogs. I’m hoping for a lot of 2022 and 2023 draft eligibles on the team. I don’t care to see half a team of 6th and 7th round picks who’ll never make the NHL so USAH can say they continued their tradition of always picking a lot of 19 year olds.

A guy like Doan - no disrespect intended - seeing regular ice over a guy like Nazar would truly be shooting yourself in the foot, or at least grazing it unnecessarily.

 

[ffh]

Not a ton of info coming out of camp for a tournament where the camp is going to matter more than ever, so this hardly qualifies as an educated projection, but nonetheless:

Forward (x14):

Matt Knies - Thomas Bordeleau - Mackie Samoskevich
Brett Berard - Logan Cooley - Matt Coronato
Sasha Pastujov - Aidan Thompson - Carter Mazur
Landon Slaggert - Dominic James - Josh Doan
Red Savage - Frank Nazar

Defense (x8):

Wyatt Kaiser - Brock Faber
Tyler Kleven - Luke Hughes
Jack Peart - Ian Moore
Sean Behrens - Ty Gallagher

Goalies (x3):

Jacob Fowler
Braden Holt
Kaidan Mbereko
​

Notes:

Decimated by players who've opted out. Thankfully that's not unique to our team but we're missing the following:

- Forwards: Matty Beniers, Cruz Lucius, Tanner Dickinson, Ty Smilanic​

- Defensemen: Jake Sanderson, Scott Morrow​

- Goalies: Drew Commesso, Dylan Silverstein​

The goalies are the biggest losses. We're losing one of the best in the tournament (Commesso) and a guy who could capably replace him (Silverstein). Now we're left with a guy who'll be there (Mbereko) but isn't very good, and more unproven guys. Hopefully one of Fowler or Holt rises to the occasion. Fowler is young (not draft eligible until 2023) but I've seen him most out of the options besides Mbereko and I was impressed with him in the USHL this past season.

​

While my roster certainly won't be accurate, this team should be a medal contender at worst if they get average goaltending. The forward and defense groups are still very good and deep even with all the missing players. Anything better than average goaltending and leaving home without a medal (and not challenging for gold) would be a huge disappointment.

you dont have mcgroarty making it. a few at the journalists at the camp tweeting he had a good camp plus he scored yesterday would suggest he might make it.

 

[Hughes Hefner]

I was at the game, it was a nice goal off a turnover that led to a breakaway and he scored on a beautiful deke which was surprising a little bit because he's such a shooter. Mcgroarty had a good game and agree I think he will make the cut. I think the most glaring omission is Gauthier he looked like a beast on a couple of shifts and was also a big part of the powerplay for team white. Didn't think Cooley had a very good game even though he scored on a great feed to him for a tap in. He also got hurt at the end of the game so that could be something to keep an eye on. Nazar had a bad game and was pretty invisible other than toe picking and falling on a breakaway. Really liked Domnick James a lot the kid is a really good player, good on faceoffs competes at both ends of the ice and I would definitely put him on the team. I don't think Josh Doan should make the team he seemed he has a little bit of difficult time keeping up with the pace although he did play better in the game towards the end. Wondering if Buim could make the D he broke up a lot of plays with his length and was physical, thought he cleaned his game up defensively which was nice to see as a wings fan.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

A guy like Doan - no disrespect intended - seeing regular ice over a guy like Nazar would truly be shooting yourself in the foot, or at least grazing it unnecessarily.

Only top 9 guys from the 2020 or 2021 draft eligibles should be Bordeleau, Knies, Samoskevich, Coronato, and Pastujov. Rest of those spots should go to 2022 and 2023 draft eligibles. The bottom line and 13F spots could also go to the younger players, although I do feel like this team has some good older grinder types for those roles.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Carter Mazur is a good example of a player who is likely to play high in the lineup and we won’t win this tournament because of it.

Not drafted his first year. Third round pick his second draft eligible year. He’s entering what should be his junior year of college. He still hasn’t gotten that close to 1PPG yet and was 6th on his team in scoring last season.

The equivalent guy on Canada’s roster at this spot is a much better prospect. Mazur still only has a small chance of being a top half of the lineup player in the NHL. If we had our full roster, no chance he’s playing so high in the lineup. Why do they have to torture us with guys like this?

Brett Berard is similar, but obviously a better player. I don’t have an issue with Berard on the roster, but if he’s taking top 9 time from McGroarty, how do you explain that?

Why can’t we for once pick our best prospects? If there’s any year to do it it’s this year. I’m equally concerned with the defense that all these borderline NHL prospects like Truscott, Ufko, Schmidt, Moore will make it, while Chesley, Hutson, and Casey don’t.

 

[William H Bonney]

you dont have mcgroarty making it. a few at the journalists at the camp tweeting he had a good camp plus he scored yesterday would suggest he might make it.

Nope, I don't. I think he'd look like he did when he played at the IIHF U18s as a U17, which wasn't good.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Nope, I don't. I think he'd look like he did when he played at the IIHF U18s as a U17, which wasn't good.

Are the guys that would replace him any better?

There’s a good chance you’re right, but if we’re losing, I’d rather lose with the younger guys that are better NHL prospects and will be back in December.

 

[William H Bonney]

Carter Mazur is a good example of a player who is likely to play high in the lineup and we won’t win this tournament because of it.

Not drafted his first year. Third round pick his second draft eligible year. He’s entering what should be his junior year of college. He still hasn’t gotten that close to 1PPG yet and was 6th on his team in scoring last season.

The equivalent guy on Canada’s roster at this spot is a much better prospect. Mazur still only has a small chance of being a top half of the lineup player in the NHL. If we had our full roster, no chance he’s playing so high in the lineup. Why do they have to torture us with guys like this?

Brett Berard is similar, but obviously a better player. I don’t have an issue with Berard on the roster, but if he’s taking top 9 time from McGroarty, how do you explain that?

Why can’t we for once pick our best prospects? If there’s any year to do it it’s this year. I’m equally concerned with the defense that all these borderline NHL prospects like Truscott, Ufko, Schmidt, Moore will make it, while Chesley, Hutson, and Casey don’t.

Mazur is a good player. He just went 38 points in 41 games, so I don't know where you're getting this idea that he hasn't come close to PPG yet. Maybe come tournament time he's over-utililzed and doesn't deliver, but he's worthy of making a WJC team.

Being a better prospect does not necessarily mean a player is the better one at this moment.

The whole time I read this all I could think of was that you have guys like Janicke and Duke on your team.

Are the guys that would replace him any better?

There’s a good chance you’re right, but if we’re losing, I’d rather lose with the younger guys that are better NHL prospects and will be back in December.

We'll see when they announce the roster. But they have the players available to build a roster with guys who are currently better. I would go to 4-5 forwards from the U18 team before I even considered McGroarty.

 

[Larmer83]

Mazur is a good player. He just went 38 points in 41 games, so I don't know where you're getting this idea that he hasn't come close to PPG yet. Maybe come tournament time he's over-utililzed and doesn't deliver, but he's worthy of making a WJC team.

Being a better prospect does not necessarily mean a player is the better at this moment.

The whole time I read this all I could think of was that you have guys like Janicke and Duke on your team.



We'll see when they announce the roster. But they have the players available to build a roster with guys who are currently better. I would go to 4-5 forwards from the U18 team before I even considered McGroarty.

Thank you. Some common sense was needed.

 

[ffh]

Mazur is a good player. He just went 38 points in 41 games, so I don't know where you're getting this idea that he hasn't come close to PPG yet. Maybe come tournament time he's over-utililzed and doesn't deliver, but he's worthy of making a WJC team.

Being a better prospect does not necessarily mean a player is the better one at this moment.

The whole time I read this all I could think of was that you have guys like Janicke and Duke on your team.



We'll see when they announce the roster. But they have the players available to build a roster with guys who are currently better. I would go to 4-5 forwards from the U18 team before I even considered McGroarty.

Lol. I needed a good laugh today.

 

[William H Bonney]

Lol. I needed a good laugh today.

I get it. You're a Winnipeg fan who just started following McGroarty.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Mazur is a good player. He just went 38 points in 41 games, so I don't know where you're getting this idea that he hasn't come close to PPG yet. Maybe come tournament time he's over-utililzed and doesn't deliver, but he's worthy of making a WJC team.

Being a better prospect does not necessarily mean a player is the better one at this moment.

The whole time I read this all I could think of was that you have guys like Janicke and Duke on your team.



We'll see when they announce the roster. But they have the players available to build a roster with guys who are currently better. I would go to 4-5 forwards from the U18 team before I even considered McGroarty.

I'm not saying Mazur and Berard aren't the best players for the spots they'll be playing. I think though that if we are using these types of guys in key roles we have to admit we have a weak team this year. I'd much rather go with guys that are younger and can return in December and the following December. It's true we can still win with an undermanned roster, but I think if you have an undermanned roster you plan forward. USAH with these rosters usually tries to pick the absolute best team, which usually means the oldest teams.

All I'm asking is for a different strategy this time around. I think this addition calls for it. Janicke I'd only have as a grinder, not a top line player. His speed and PK'ing could be very useful. Duke may or may not be as good as Mazur. Tough to compare exactly, but he has great chemistry playing with Pastujov, and pretty good with Cooley. He even has good chemistry with Bordeleau and Samoskevich. I think those three were a line for a stretch where they had success last season.

Also, I think the higher picks have higher potential. It's possible the 2003's and 2004's struggle, but what if they have great tournaments? They have higher ceilings for a tournament like this. I think we need that with so many of our high ceiling players not playing this year.

 

[William H Bonney]

I'm not saying Mazur and Berard aren't the best players for the spots they'll be playing. I think though that if we are using these types of guys in key roles we have to admit we have a weak team this year. I'd much rather go with guys that are younger and can return in December and the following December. It's true we can still win with an undermanned roster, but I think if you have an undermanned roster you plan forward. USAH with these rosters usually tries to pick the absolute best team, which usually means the oldest teams.

All I'm asking is for a different strategy this time around. I think this addition calls for it. Janicke I'd only have as a grinder, not a top line player. His speed and PK'ing could be very useful. Duke may or may not be as good as Mazur. Tough to compare exactly, but he has great chemistry playing with Pastujov, and pretty good with Cooley. He even has good chemistry with Bordeleau and Samoskevich. I think those three were a line for a stretch where they had success last season.

Also, I think the higher picks have higher potential. It's possible the 2003's and 2004's struggle, but what if they have great tournaments? They have higher ceilings for a tournament like this. I think we need that with so many of our high ceiling players not playing this year.

We've won this tournament multiple times with players of the caliber of Mazur and Berard playing key roles. You seem overly concerned with something thing that hasn't happened yet. If those 2 are playing 20 minutes a game and not producing while getting more ice time than better players than sure, we should complain.

Why do we need a drastically different strategy than the one we just utilized to win gold in the last WJC? This team is obviously different but the issue is in goal where we've lost our top 2 goalies. Picking McGroarty over Mazur/Berard won't change that.

 

[ffh]

I get it. You're a Winnipeg fan who just started following McGroarty.

look i know mcgroarty is in tough. he's up against players 2+years older then him and making the team will be hard. you dont think he will and thats your opinion and thats fine. what i found funny wasnt that but saying you would take 4-5 players who are u18 over him for this team. hard to take that comment seriously.

 

[GermanSpitfire]

look i know mcgroarty is in tough. he's up against players 2+years older then him and making the team will be hard. you dont think he will and thats your opinion and thats fine. what i found funny wasnt that but saying you would take 4-5 players who are u18 over him for this team. hard to take that comment seriously.

Me personally, I’d have Cooley, Gauthier, Nazar and Howard above McGrotaty. Then Snuggerud is in the same situation McGroatry is in.

 

[William H Bonney]

look i know mcgroarty is in tough. he's up against players 2+years older then him and making the team will be hard. you dont think he will and thats your opinion and thats fine. what i found funny wasnt that but saying you would take 4-5 players who are u18 over him for this team. hard to take that comment seriously.

Why? There's 3 players on the U18 team that went higher in the draft than McGroarty. Me saying I'd probably take 1-2 more over him isn't drastic. McGroarty's poor skating and lack of pace would be a challenge to overcome against players 2 years older, especially in a bottom line role, whereas a guy like Snuggerud wouldn't have those issues.

I'm not saying McGroarty might not make the team. Just that it's silly how up in arms some people are about him possibly not being on the team as if he'd even be a snub if they left him home for the 2022 tournament.

 

[All Mighty]

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

look i know mcgroarty is in tough. he's up against players 2+years older then him and making the team will be hard. you dont think he will and thats your opinion and thats fine. what i found funny wasnt that but saying you would take 4-5 players who are u18 over him for this team. hard to take that comment seriously.

It's not hard at all to take that comment seriously.

 

[ffh]

It's not hard at all to take that comment seriously.

I thought you were talking about this years u18 but you were talking about last years. 4 or 5 players you would take over him makes way more sense now. Hopefully that clears it up.

 

[Static]

Candidates For 2022 U.S. National Junior Team Reduced To 27

Team USA to compete in IIHF World Junior Championship August 9-20

teamusa.usahockey.com

 

[usahockey22flyers]

Did Cutter Gauthier get cut?

 

[jimsabo21]

How was today's scrimmage? Any insight from anyone who was actually able to view the game?