USA Hockey announces World Junior A Challenge roster

Seventeen 2014 draft-eligible players highlight the 22 man Team USA roster for the World Junior A Challenge announced Thursday (October 17, 2013).

The World Junior A Challenge features the best players in Junior A hockey from Canada (split into two teams), Russia, Czech Republic, Switzerland and the United States, who are the defending gold medalists. This year's tournament runs from November 4-10 in Yarmouth, Novia Scotia. It's the second year in a row that the southwestern Nova Scotia community will host the World Junior A Challenge.

Each of the 22 US players selected currently play in the USHL. That includes three players drafted in the 2013 NHL Draft - Muskegon Lumberjacks forward Connor Hurley (38th overall by Buffalo Sabres), Waterloo Black Hakws goalie Cal Peterson (fifth round by Buffalo) and Fargo Force defenseman Teemu Kivihalme (140th overall by Nashville Predators).

Additionally, all 22 players have made a verbal college commitment. Notre Dame leads the way with four (Hurley, Peterson, defenseman Jordan Gross and forward Andrew Oglevie).

The full Team USA roster can be found here.

Prior to the tournament, Team USA faces Canada West November 2nd in an exhibition game. Tournament play begins against Russia on November 5th at 8:00 p.m. Atlantic Standard Time (AST).

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