WJC: 2025 Team USA Roster Talk

[frontsfan67]

Are we sure Hagans is gonna center Leonard / Perrault? May want to put Moore there and strengthen a second line. It might make sense to do things that put Eiserman in the best position to succeed….just thinking.

I think Moore would make “Moore” sense being the older players.

then second line of eiserman, Hagens and musty. Top 6 is STACKED

 

[Joe Zanussi]

Just got home from BU game. Good stuff happens whenever Svoboda is on the ice.

 

[Jaykay]

We might have to keep an eye on Austin Burnevik.

 

[Joe Zanussi]

We might have to keep an eye on Austin Burnevik.

Yup. Great start

 

[Joe Zanussi]

Somebody needs to ask Leaman to put Adams and Connelly together to see if we can build some chemistry.

 

[Joe Zanussi]

Updated thoughts on forward lines:

Perrault-Moore-Leonard
Eiserman-Hagens-Adams
Connelly-Nelson-Whitelaw
Burnevik-Svoboda-Hendrickson
Fisher

Moving in the right direction: Burnevik. Eiserman, Shaughaby, Fisher, Sawchyn, Klee, Nehring

Moving in the wrong direction: Terrance, Musty (is he shooting himself in the foot?)

 

[ecg2001]

Updated thoughts on forward lines:

Perrault-Moore-Leonard
Eiserman-Hagens-Adams
Connelly-Nelson-Whitelaw
Burnevik-Svoboda-Hendrickson
Fisher

Moving in the right direction: Burnevik. Eiserman, Shaughaby, Fisher, Sawchyn, Klee, Nehring

Moving in the wrong direction: Terrance, Musty (is he shooting himself in the foot?)

I think AJ Spellacy and Teddy Stiga will make it. Spellacy's size, physicality, and speed will be valued, and Stiga has chemistry with Hagens and Eiserman. I also think the chances Will Smith gets released are growing by the day as he struggles to score and the Sharks are on track for Hagens. In that case, Moore slides down to 3rd line center

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

I think AJ Spellacy and Teddy Stiga will make it. Spellacy's size, physicality, and speed will be valued, and Stiga has chemistry with Hagens and Eiserman. I also think the chances Will Smith gets released are growing by the day as he struggles to score and the Sharks are on track for Hagens. In that case, Moore slides down to 3rd line center

Spellacy I kind of doubt. He's an OHL player who has played once for USAH, and was pretty bad in that one tournament. Not exactly the types of things they look for.

 

[Joe Zanussi]

Nice to see that Musty is playing again.

 

[JiggsNY]

Depending how this next month goes, I wonder if there's a possibility of the Sharks sending Smith after all

 

[Kingpin794]

Wonder with the way Epperson has developed this season if he gets a sniff for the roster? I know people are going to say Misa is doing all the driving on that line, but it really is a symbiotic relationship. Misa needs someone who can keep up with him from a hockey IQ standpoint. I know team USA tends to “punish” guys who drop their commits and go to the CHL so it would be a long shot. Maybe a better candidate for 2026?

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Wonder with the way Epperson has developed this season if he gets a sniff for the roster? I know people are going to say Misa is doing all the driving on that line, but it really is a symbiotic relationship. Misa needs someone who can keep up with him from a hockey IQ standpoint. I know team USA tends to “punish” guys who drop their commits and go to the CHL so it would be a long shot. Maybe a better candidate for 2026?

No chance. They cut him from the U18 Worlds roster in April, and like a 1/3 of the guys that made that team will make this.

Next year he’ll have a shot if he keeps it up, but I don’t think it’s going to be a high chance unless he’s like leading the league in scoring.

 

[donjohnson]

Next year he’ll have a shot if he keeps it up, but I don’t think it’s going to be a high chance unless he’s like leading the league in scoring.

That strategy didn't work well for Ty Voit a couple years ago.

 

[Joe Zanussi]

Stramel looks good for the Spartans. Obviously not relevant this year, but it made me laugh when I saw him and thought of all of last years discussions.

 

[Digital Dog]

Joey Willis making a late charge to sneak in the forward group?

He has 9 goals in his last 3 games with Saginaw in the OHL

....this is 99% a joke, he could probably continue at this pace and he still wouldn be considered

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Leonard-Moore-Perreault
Eiserman-Hagens-Stiga
Musty-Bednarik-Swanson
Hendrickson-Nelson-Terrance
Adams-Shaugabay

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

Augustine
Slukynsky
Kempf

Don’t know how to formulate these forward lines at all. The lack of Smith (he’s playing better now, so that’s what I’m expecting) messes everything up because we lack centers. And I think if you put Hagens with Perreault and Leonard you are creating problems in your middle six. I’d rather hope Moore can not screw up the Leonard/Perreault thing and let Hagens play with his buddy Eiserman that we know he can unlock the best out of. I don’t see how you can possibly put Eiserman and Musty on the same line. Too much tunnel vision and lack of effort off the puck. Connelly is suspended from my team after losing us the WJC18. Defense isn’t as good as the forwards, but I think more straight forward and easier to mix and match. I like our goaltending this year.

 

[Joe Zanussi]

Love that post. Agree w so much of it. I’m trying to find a way for Burnevik to get there. I have Connelly on my team but I absolutely support your take. He didn’t get enough shit from that….lost the game by himself.

 

[Bonin21]

I don't really see Hendrickson making the team. Ziemer has a bigger impact for the Gophers.

 

[Jaykay]

Gabe Perreault-Oliver Moore-Ryan Leonard
Cole Eiserman-James Hagens-Quentin Musty
Trevor Connelly-Danny Nelson-Tanner Adams
Brodie Ziemer-Carey Terrance-Austin Burnevik
Ex. Kamil Bednarik, Jayson Shaugabay

Zeev Buium-Aram Minnetian
Drew Fortescue-Logan Hensler
Paul Fischer-Gavin McCarthy
Ex. Cole Hutson, EJ Emery

Trey Augustine
Hampton Slukynsky
Nick Kempf

 

[Jaykay]

Joey Willis making a late charge to sneak in the forward group?

He has 9 goals in his last 3 games with Saginaw in the OHL

....this is 99% a joke, he could probably continue at this pace and he still wouldn be considered

I could see one of Willis or Terrance making it, probably not both though.

 

[Kingpin794]

Joey Willis making a late charge to sneak in the forward group?

He has 9 goals in his last 3 games with Saginaw in the OHL

....this is 99% a joke, he could probably continue at this pace and he still wouldn be considered

He as part of the summer showcase so he's already on their radar. I agree he's got an uphill battle but he would do fine as a 4th liner that can work on the PK.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Terrance isn't having a great year. He probably has an edge over others because he was an alternate last year, but his spot might be a little tenuous. Willis could take it. I doubt they both make it, but you never know.

 

[Jaykay]

Probably a long shot but with a lack of RHD, I wonder if Ty Hanson gets some consideration.