2025 World Juniors Team USA Preview: Roster, projected lines and key players to watch out for 

The 2025 World Junior Championships are just over a day away, and the eyes of the hockey world will descend upon the next wave of young talent looking not only to make a name for themselves but to defend national pride.

The United States enters the tournament as the reigning gold medal champion and hopes to secure back-to-back titles for the first time; they defeated Sweden last year in Gothenburg.

This year, the tournament will take place at Ottawa's Canadian Tire Centre, home of the NHL's Ottawa Senators. Games will also take place at TD Place, home of the OHL's Ottawa 67s.

Team USA's roster

The preliminary roster of the United States is set, and it features more than a few players who various NHL clubs have already selected in recent drafts.

For USA General Manager and Assistant Executive Director of Hockey Operations (and former NHL goaltender) John Vanbiesbrouck, it wasn't an easy process narrowing down the list of names for the roster.

“It’s always tough to get through the selection process as we have so many great players in our country,” Vanbiesbrouck said via USAHockey.com. “We turn our focus now to giving our team every opportunity to come together as we continue preparing for the tournament.”

Below is the preliminary roster for Team USA, followed by the NHL club that has selected them (so far):

Forwards:

• Austin Burnevik (Anaheim Ducks)
• Trevor Connelly (Vegas Golden Knights)
• Cole Eiserman (New York Islanders)
• James Hagens (Projected 2025 pick)
• Ryan Leonard (Washington Capitals)
• Oliver Moore (Chicago Blackhawks)
• Danny Nelson (New York Islanders)
• Chris Pelosi (Boston Bruins)
• Gabe Perreault (New York Rangers)
• AJ Spellacy (Chicago Blackhawks)
• Teddy Stiga (Nashville Predators)
• Brandon Svoboda (San Jose Sharks)
• Carey Terrance (Anaheim Ducks)
• Joey Willis (Nashville Predators)
• Brodie Ziemer (Buffalo Sabres)

Defensemen:

• Zeev Buium (Minnesota Wild)
• EJ Emery (New York Rangers)
• Blake Fiddler (Projected 2025 Pick)
• Paul Fischer (Edmonton Oilers)
• Drew Fortescue (New York Rangers)
• Logan Hensler (Projected 2025 Pick)
• Cole Hutson (Washington Capitals)
• Adam Kleber (Buffalo Sabres)
• Aram Minnetian (Dallas Stars)
• Colin Ralph (St. Louis Blues)

Goalies:

• Trey Augustine (Detroit Red Wings)
• Hampton Slukynsky (Los Angeles Kings)
• Sam Hillebrandt

Key players to watch out for

Multiple players are returning for Team USA to defend the gold medal from last year, including Gabe Perreault, Trey Augustine, Ryan Leonard and Zeev Buium. They already have the gold medal-winning experience, meaning they know what it takes to reach the highest levels.

Projected lines

Based on their first pre-tournament matchup against Slovakia, the lines for Team USA should look similar to the following:

Forwards

Gabe Perreault – James Hagens – Ryan Leonard

Trevor Connelly – Danny Nelson – Cole Eiserman

Teddy Stiga – Oliver Moore – Brodie Ziemer

Austin Burnevik – Carey Terrance – Brandon Svoboda

Extras: Joey Willis, Max Plante

Defensemen

Drew Fortescue – Zeev Buium

Cole Hutson – Adam Kleber

Colin Ralph – Aram Minnetian

Paul Fischer – Logan Hensler

Goaltenders

While Trey Augustine wasn't dressed for the game against Slovakia, he undoubtedly will get the nod in net when the games begin on Dec. 26.

How do you think Team USA will fare in the 2025 World Junior Championships? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.