World Junior Hockey 2017 USA Roster: 23-Man Team for Championships

USA Hockey finalized its 23-man roster for the 2017 World Junior Hockey Championships Saturday ahead of its tournament opener against Latvia in Toronto on Monday. 

The final list includes Luke Kunin, who was drafted 15th overall by the Minnesota Wild in June, along with other top draftees Charlie McAvoy (Boston Bruins) and Colin White (Ottawa Senators).

Here is the complete roster, per USAHockey.com:

Position	Player	Team
Goalie	Tyler Parsons	London Knights (OHL)
Goalie	Jake Oettinger	Boston University
Goalie	Joseph Woll	Boston College
Forward	Luke Kunin	University of Wisconsin
Forward	Tanner Laczynski	Ohio State
Forward	Patrick Harper	Boston University
Forward	Jordan Greenway	Boston University
Forward	Joey Anderson	University of Minnesota - Duluth
Forward	Erik Foley	Providence
Forward	Jeremy Bracco	Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
Forward	Colin White	Boston College
Forward	Clayton Keller	Boston University
Forward	Troy Terry	University of Denver
Forward	Kieffer Bellows	Boston University
Forward	Jack Roslovic	Manitoba Moose (AHL)
Forward	Tage Thompson	University of Connecticut
Defense	Ryan Lindgren	University of Minnesota
Defense	Jack Ahcan	St. Cloud State University
Defense	Caleb Jones	Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
Defense	Casey Fitzgerald	Boston University
Defense	Adam Fox	Harvard
Defense	Charlie McAvoy	Boston University
Defense	Joe Cecconi	University of Michigan

It was previously announced on USAHockey.com Dec. 18 that Kunin would serve as the captain for the Americans with White and McAvoy assisting as alternate captains.

Following that announcement, Team USA head coach Bob Motzko raved about the trio's leadership capabilities:

"

I couldn't be happier to have these three quality guys leading this locker room. We've been saying it every day that there's a pulse with this group. We know Luke, Charlie and Colin are at the center of that through their style of play and their tremendous amount of heart. We're fortunate to have them leading this team.

"

Following Saturday's roster announcement, U.S. National Junior Team general manager Jim Johannson told USAHockey.com how this group of players lines up with Motzko's vision:

"

We're excited about this group of players and the way in which they will maximize the style of hockey that head coach Bob Motzko wants the team to play. The talent level in the United States is among the best in the world and the difficulty we had identifying this year's roster speaks to that. These players earned their way on to this roster and we're looking forward to the tournament getting underway.

"

The United States hasn't won gold in the event since 2013, and its bronze-medal-winning performance in 2016 ended a two-year medal drought.

Also, Team USA hasn't medaled in a WJC held in Canada since taking gold in 2010, but that has no impact on the squad's lofty goals, according to NHL Network:

While the Americans have a deep, talented and experienced team, simply reaching the podium will be a challenge.

Canada is favored to win gold on home ice, while Finland has taken gold in two of the past three World Junior Championships and Russia has medaled at the tournament in six consecutive years.

The United States will compete with Latvia, Russia, Slovakia and Canada in Group A, and its pivotal clash with the rival Canadians will take place on New Year's Eve in Toronto.

Medal winners will be determined on Jan. 5, as both the bronze- and gold-medal matchups will be contested at the Bell Centre in Montreal.

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