WJC: 2025 Team USA Roster Talk

[William H Bonney]

Does anyone recall the 2023 U18 championship line combos?

It was this to end it:

Gold or bust.

 

[William H Bonney]

One thing to keep in mind is the defensemen depth is more balanced between LHD and RHD options for the 2025 team than it was for the 2024 squad.

While Buium is a LHD he's always played on the right side, which he didn't do on the 2024 team because of the RHD depth. If the staff isn't in love with the RHD depth, it's an easy choice to have Buium occupy one of the top right side roles. Especially if his head coach Carle returns.

Minnetian is likely there as an RHD. And I'd be shocked if Hensler wasn't as well unless his game takes a turn for the worse. But beyond those 2, it's going to more of a wait and see approach with guys like Emery, Pitner, McCarthy, etc. trying to make their cases.

If none of the other RHD prove themselves worthy and we have solid LHD options, running with Buium, Minnetian, and Hensler as the regulars on the right side is a strong group.

 

[sigx15]

If I were to guess at a way, way too early potential team, it'd look something like this. A lot will change as the rest of the season is so important to dictating where players stand headed into summer camp.

Forwards (x14):​

Gabe Perreault* - Will Smith* - Ryan Leonard*
Cole Eiserman - James Hagens - Oliver Moore*
Trevor Connelly - Danny Nelson* - Quentin Musty
William Whitelaw - Carey Terrance* - Tanner Adams
Kamil Bednarik
Extra: Christian Humphreys​

Defense (x8):​

​

Zeev Buium* - Logan Hensler​

Drew Fortescue* - Aram Minnetian*​

Cole Hutson - Gavin McCarthy​

Will Skahan​

Extra: Paul Fischer​

Goalies (x3):​

Trey Augustine*
Nick Kempf
Hampton Slukynsky

* denotes 2024 returnee​

Thoughts​

• Should be one of the favorites for gold and have gold medal expectations. Canada is Canada but always need to wait and see how many guys they lose to the NHL to know how strong their team might be. Sweden and Czechia should also have gold medal ambitions.​

• As always, prepare yourself for certain players making it over some guys drafted higher than them. This doesn't mean they're bad selections.​

• If we don't lose any forwards we should have the ability to ice another very deep and talented group that's capable of leading the team to the highest-scoring efficiency in the tournament.​

• Like the 2024 WJC team, there are some good building blocks to work with and then a lot of uncertainty on who's going to step up and grab the other roles. Unlike 2024, LHD is deeper and RHD is shallower.​

• The net is Augustine's and he should play every game but maybe 1. Kempf is an '06 and he's been very good this year, so if deserving, I'd have him as the backup to prep for the 2026 team. Hillebrandt could return of course but he was largely on the 2024 team because Oke declined, so I'd like to see him get more games in the OHL to see if he should return.​

​

Crazy to think, if this were the roster, BC would have 7 players on the roster again

 

[William H Bonney]

Crazy to think, if this were the roster, BC would have 7 players on the roster again

Barring any NHL defections or injuries, they should have at least 5 locks with Smith, Leonard, Perreault, Fortescue, and Hagens. Minnetian is likely as of now. Skahan is more of a wait and see but I love his odds at this point. The last couple of WJC defenses have lacked size, physicality, and shutdown options. The 2025 team should have options to fill that void and that game is Skahan's bread and butter.

 

[sigx15]

Barring any NHL defections or injuries, they should have at least 5 locks with Smith, Leonard, Perreault, Fortescue, and Eiserman. Minnetian is likely as of now. Skahan is more of a wait and see but I love his odds at this point. The last couple of WJC teams have lacked size, physicality, and shutdown options. The 2025 team should have options to fill that void and that game is Skahan's bread and butter.

You mean Hagens, not Eiserman, but I pretty much agree with your overall point

 

[William H Bonney]

You mean Hagens, not Eiserman, but I pretty much agree with your overall point

Got the Boston boys mixed up. They should have stayed together for college.

 

[William H Bonney]

The re-run coaches haven't always panned out but the job should be Carle's if he wants it. It won't be long before the NHL poaches him, so he may be eager to seize another opportunity here while he still has the chance.

But if Carle doesn't want to run it back (or you don't want him to), who would you want to be the coach?

My top candidates besides Carle would be in no particular order:

• Greg Brown (Boston College): has played and coached in the WJC, a long-time highly successful assistant coach now making his mark as a head coach. A lot of his players will be on the 2025 team.
• Jay Pandolfo (Boston University): has played in the WJC. Like Brown, he's a newer head coach but his early returns with the Terriers have been impressive.
• Ben Barr (Maine): no experience with USAH or the WJC, but he's young, has had a lot of success as an assistant coach, and is now leading a resurgent Maine program. It might be more appropriate to have him get his feet wet on someone else's WJC staff first.
• Greg Carvel (UMass): limited USAH experience (assistant at one WC) but he has a lot of experience and he's turned UMass into an NCAA force.
• Adam Nightingale (Michigan State): tons of USAH experience (he's been involved with the WJC, U17, U18, WC), young former NTDP coach, and he's leading the resurgent Spartans program.

I would be fine with any of those guys but my gut says Nightingale is going to get a shot pretty soon.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Perreault-Smith-Leonard
Eiserman-Hagens-Musty
Connelly-Moore-Swanson
Terrance-Nelson-Bednarik
Potter

Buium-Minnetian
Skahan-McCarthy
Hutson-Hensler
Fortescue-Pitner

Augustine
Kempf
Hillebrandt

I think we won't be the favorites, but we should be one of them. We might have the best line in the tournament. The second line could have the two best players in the tournament, and then I think we have a good bottom six, although we are lacking true bottom line players. I struggle to think of many more good players for the fourth line. We have a lot of skill, but not a lot of sandpaper.

The defense should be better, bigger, and deeper. I'm worried they are going to try to force players like Schulz and Cleveland on the team, and Fortescue should not be considered a lock either. Goaltending will not be as deep. There likely will be no Fowler to be the 1B to Augustine's 1A, but if Kempf continues playing well, we could have enough depth. Hillebrandt isn't bad either, but preferably someone else steps up. However, it's going to be all Augustine there. His net, and he needs to be very good again because the rest of the team won't be as good as it was this year.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Cullen Potter will be one to watch.... Shades of Logan Cooley D-1 year.....

I think he has the best chance of the current NTDP 17's.

No one made it this year from last year's team, but Hagens really should've and this year's team was much deeper anyway.

I think Potter, McKinney, Trethewey, Moore, and Fondrk have a chance. The last two minor chances. McKinney can play anywhere, so that'll help his chances. Potter is probably top 9 or bust (maybe 13F). Trethewey has Hensler in front of him. I can't see them picking two draft-eligible RHD's at the bottom of the roster.

 

[MTU34]

The re-run coaches haven't always panned out but the job should be Carle's if he wants it. It won't be long before the NHL poaches him, so he may be eager to seize another opportunity here while he still has the chance.

But if Carle doesn't want to run it back (or you don't want him to), who would you want to be the coach?

My top candidates besides Carle would be in no particular order:

• Greg Brown (Boston College): has played and coached in the WJC, a long-time highly successful assistant coach now making his mark as a head coach. A lot of his players will be on the 2025 team.
• Jay Pandolfo (Boston University): has played in the WJC. Like Brown, he's a newer head coach but his early returns with the Terriers have been impressive.
• Ben Barr (Maine): no experience with USAH or the WJC, but he's young, has had a lot of success as an assistant coach, and is now leading a resurgent Maine program. It might be more appropriate to have him get his feet wet on someone else's WJC staff first.
• Greg Carvel (UMass): limited USAH experience (assistant at one WC) but he has a lot of experience and he's turned UMass into an NCAA force.
• Adam Nightingale (Michigan State): tons of USAH experience (he's been involved with the WJC, U17, U18, WC), young former NTDP coach, and he's leading the resurgent Spartans program.

I would be fine with any of those guys but my gut says Nightingale is going to get a shot pretty soon.

I’d be very happy with Nightingale if Carle doesn’t come back. Kinda thought he’d get this years team given the familiarity with the 04s

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

The re-run coaches haven't always panned out but the job should be Carle's if he wants it. It won't be long before the NHL poaches him, so he may be eager to seize another opportunity here while he still has the chance.

But if Carle doesn't want to run it back (or you don't want him to), who would you want to be the coach?

My top candidates besides Carle would be in no particular order:

• Greg Brown (Boston College): has played and coached in the WJC, a long-time highly successful assistant coach now making his mark as a head coach. A lot of his players will be on the 2025 team.
• Jay Pandolfo (Boston University): has played in the WJC. Like Brown, he's a newer head coach but his early returns with the Terriers have been impressive.
• Ben Barr (Maine): no experience with USAH or the WJC, but he's young, has had a lot of success as an assistant coach, and is now leading a resurgent Maine program. It might be more appropriate to have him get his feet wet on someone else's WJC staff first.
• Greg Carvel (UMass): limited USAH experience (assistant at one WC) but he has a lot of experience and he's turned UMass into an NCAA force.
• Adam Nightingale (Michigan State): tons of USAH experience (he's been involved with the WJC, U17, U18, WC), young former NTDP coach, and he's leading the resurgent Spartans program.

I would be fine with any of those guys but my gut says Nightingale is going to get a shot pretty soon.

Nightingale also coached Smith, Leonard, and Augustine at the NTDP.

I'd probably lean towards him if it's not Carle. The three Massachusetts program coaches I think should be on the radar, but likely aren't as ready.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Schulz was captain of the 05 USNDTP, look for them to force him in if he's remotely close during the Summer and playing well at college.

 

[MTU34]

Schulz was captain of the 05 USNDTP, look for them to force him in if he's remotely close during the Summer and playing well at college.

He wasn’t even a lock to be in Wisconsins lineup every night (that’s probably changed now with Jugnauth going back to junior). I understand what you’re saying, but it’ll be pretty disastrous if he’s on this team

 

[William H Bonney]

He wasn’t even a lock to be in Wisconsins lineup every night (that’s probably changed now with Jugnauth going back to junior). I understand what you’re saying, but it’ll be pretty disastrous if he’s on this team

Fortescue establishing himself really hurts his chances, as Schulz should also clearly be behind other more defensive LHDs like Fischer and Skahan as well. When you start factoring in the offensive LHD like Buium (although quite possible he's on the right side in 2025) and Hutson, I don't see a path for Schulz to be in consideration barring injury or his game taking off. Probably gets a look in the summer camp but I'd be surprised at more beyond that, although a lot can change and quickly at this age.

 

[WarriorofTime]

He wasn’t even a lock to be in Wisconsins lineup every night (that’s probably changed now with Jugnauth going back to junior). I understand what you’re saying, but it’ll be pretty disastrous if he’s on this team

Think he should. have done a gap year in the USHL

 

[Czechboy]

Really has a Canada/US final feel to it in Ottawa.

 

[SK94]

I would like to see Pandolfo. He is in NCAA now but he would be a least bit different choice. NCAA coaches has been a bit hit or miss so I wouldn't mind to see sometimes a coach who has NHL experience.

 

[Zero Pucks Given]

Really has a Canada/US final feel to it in Ottawa.

I like our chances against Canada in a World Junior final...

 

[SanDogBrewin]

Crazy to think, if this were the roster, BC would have 7 players on the roster again

BC did some insane recruiting.

I would like to see Pandolfo. He is in NCAA now but he would be a least bit different choice. NCAA coaches has been a bit hit or miss so I wouldn't mind to see sometimes a coach who has NHL experience.

Yup great choice.

 

[sigx15]

The re-run coaches haven't always panned out but the job should be Carle's if he wants it. It won't be long before the NHL poaches him, so he may be eager to seize another opportunity here while he still has the chance.

But if Carle doesn't want to run it back (or you don't want him to), who would you want to be the coach?

My top candidates besides Carle would be in no particular order:

• Greg Brown (Boston College): has played and coached in the WJC, a long-time highly successful assistant coach now making his mark as a head coach. A lot of his players will be on the 2025 team.
• Jay Pandolfo (Boston University): has played in the WJC. Like Brown, he's a newer head coach but his early returns with the Terriers have been impressive.
• Ben Barr (Maine): no experience with USAH or the WJC, but he's young, has had a lot of success as an assistant coach, and is now leading a resurgent Maine program. It might be more appropriate to have him get his feet wet on someone else's WJC staff first.
• Greg Carvel (UMass): limited USAH experience (assistant at one WC) but he has a lot of experience and he's turned UMass into an NCAA force.
• Adam Nightingale (Michigan State): tons of USAH experience (he's been involved with the WJC, U17, U18, WC), young former NTDP coach, and he's leading the resurgent Spartans program.

I would be fine with any of those guys but my gut says Nightingale is going to get a shot pretty soon.

It’d be very cool to see Brown coach 7 BC kids on a team and as a massive BC homer, that’d be my pie in the sky. The other name I’m a huge fan of you threw out there is Ben Barr. What he’s done at Maine is incredible. He’s a very good coach and from all reports, a great dude. If Maine makes a run this year m, which they definitely could, I’d be a big fan of him getting a look

 

[SOLR]

Barring any NHL defections or injuries, they should have at least 5 locks with Smith, Leonard, Perreault, Fortescue, and Hagens. Minnetian is likely as of now. Skahan is more of a wait and see but I love his odds at this point. The last couple of WJC defenses have lacked size, physicality, and shutdown options. The 2025 team should have options to fill that void and that game is Skahan's bread and butter.

Doesn't really matter, next year Canada will stomp everyone.

Really has a Canada/US final feel to it in Ottawa.

Yeah US will have a good team, but far from this year's team. While Canada will have a depth year.

 

[William H Bonney]

Doesn't really matter, next year Canada will stomp everyone.



Yeah US will have a good team, but far from this year's team. While Canada will have a depth year.

Cool, might as well cancel the tournament now.

 

[SK94]

My some kind of goalie depth chart ATM:

My goalie trio right now:

Trey Augustine / Obvious starter and with goalies it is nice that they are always certainly still available.

Hampton Slukynsky / He is a nice project for LA Kings. I really like him as a prospect and he just keeps winning games in USHL. Maybe wasn't the best in the WJAC-19 but right now he would be my pick for backup role. He is going to play for Northern Michigan Wildcats next season.

Nicholas Kempf / Most promising 06 right now. It is always ideal to bring an underage player to be third goalie who can gain an experience from the tournament surroundings.

Likely camp invites:

Sam Hillebrandt / If his next year is going to be strong there is a big chance to be backup. Especially now that he has been part of that winning squad. Right now I don't have enough believe in him that I would predict a role for him next year. It is either a backup or then likely some 06 is going to take that third place.

Caleb Heil / USA Hockey seems to like some part of his game. He has been part of the Hlinka and WJAC-19 squads, so I expect him to be at the camp.

Challengers:

Carsen Musser / Colorado College next season. Not too impressed by his game but I think he is one of those guys who may improve a lot in coming years. There is some tools for that.

Calvin Vachon / He was part of the Hlinka squad in 22 and I was a somewhat surprised that he was not part of the WJAC-19 squad this year with Slukynsky. Small size is not doing any favours for him but I like some part of his game.

John Parsons / Not particularly impressed by him but because of his NTDP status I wouldn't be surprised if he is going to be there to fill one goalie spot at the camp.

 

[SOLR]

Cool, might as well cancel the tournament now.

Yep...nah, play it...

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Smith would really benefit from another year at BC IMO. I think it would be a mistake for him to turn pro.

I don't think any of the NTDP '06s other Hagens and Eiserman make it at forward. Connelly likely makes it due to his success with USA this year. Plus the fact he's incredibly talented.

Forward Locks

Smith
Leonard
Perreault
Hagens
Eiserman
Moore
Nelson

Likely to make it

Terrance
Musty
Connelly
Whitelaw

On my radar for remaining spots (in order)

Tanner Adams
Kaden Shahan
Christopher Pelosi
Jake Fisher
Zach Nehring
David Klee
Kamil Bednarik
Brandon Svoboda

Defense locks

Buium
Hensler
Fortescue

Likely to make it

Minnetian

On my radar

EJ Emery
Brady Cleveland
Will Skahan
Cole Hutson
Tory Pitner
Philippe Blais-Savoie
Andrew Strathmann
Paul Fischer
Gavin McCarthy


My team at this point would look like this:

Perreault-Smith-Leonard
Connelly-Hagens-Eiserman
Musty-Moore-Whitelaw
Terrance-Nelson-Adams

Buium-Hensler
Fortescue-Emery
Cleveland/Skahan-Minnetian
Hutson-Pitner

Team looks strong and capable of winning back to back. Still a long way to go though.

I think Beckett Hendrickson is probably another guy who would be competing for a spot in the bottom 6.

Austin Burnevik is another guy to keep an eye on as well. He's an early 2005 who is currently leading the USHL in goals. He's 6'4 with 21g 36p through 29gp with Madison. Looks like he's taken a big step forward this year. I know his skating has been an obstacle in the past, but if he continues to progress I could see him challenging for a roster spot.