The United States Junior National Team begins its quest for Gold Medal at the 2015 World Junior Championship on Friday at 3 p.m. (ET) against defending champion Finland at the Bell Centre in Montreal. The game can be seen live on the NHL Network in the United States as well as streamed online at NHL.com.
The Americans have made great strides in this tournament over the past decade since winning Gold for the first time in 2004. USA Hockey captured its second and third Gold Medals in the event in 2010 and 2013.
Canada is the odds on favorite to win the event on its home soil, but don't count out the Americans. Led by captain and top 2015 NHL Draft prospect Jack Eichel, the U.S. has some serious firepower up front. With Steve Santini's release from the roster, due to not being fully healed from an October wrist surgery, the U.S. roster is set.
Boston College and the University of Michigan lead the way with four players from each team's current roster on the U.S. squad. The Eagles get a bonus point for having a recruit in Nobles Prep forward Miles Wood.
The Chicago Blackhawks lead the way in terms of most prospects on the roster. Nick Schmaltz, Tyler Motte, John Hayden and Anthony Louis are all property of the 2010 and 2013 Stanley Cup Champions.
The Americans have five first round draft picks led by Dylan Larkin, who was selected highest, 15th overall in the 2014 NHL Draft by the Detroit Red Wings.
Here's a look at the 23-man roster breakdown by state, league, NCAA schools, birth years and more:
Captain: Jack Eichel
Alternate Captains: John Hayden, Will Butcher
By Position:
Forwards - J.T. Compher, Nick Schmaltz, Jack Eichel, Anthony Louis, Miles Wood, Sonny Milano, Tyler Motte, John Hayden, Alex Tuch, Chase De Leo, Dylan Larkin, Hudson Fasching, Auston Matthews
Defensemen - Noah Hanifin, Ian McCoshen, Will Butcher, Ryan Collins, Zach Werenski, Anthony DeAngelo, Brandon Carlo
Goaltenders - Thatcher Demko, Brandon Halverson, Alex Nedeljkovic
By State:
Michigan (4) - Tyler Motte, Zach Werenski, Dylan Larkin, Brandon Halverson
New York (3) - Sonny Milano, Miles Wood, Alex Tuch
Wisconsin (3) - Nick Scmaltz, Ian McCoshen, Will Butcher
Minnesota (2) - Hudson Fasching, Ryan Collins
Massachusetts (2) - Jack Eichel, Noah Hanifin
Illinois (2) - J.T. Compher, Anthony Louis
California (2) - Thatcher Demko, Chase De Leo
Arizona (1) - Auston Matthews
Ohio (1) - Alex Nedeljkovic
Colorado (1) - Brandon Carlo
Pennsylvania (1) - Anthony DeAngelo
Connecticut (1) - John Hayden
By League:
Big Ten (6) - Tyler Motte, J.T. Compher, Dylan Larkin, Hudson Fasching, Ryan Collins, Zach Werenski
Hockey East (5) - Jack Eichel, Alex Tuch, Thatcher Demko, Ian McCoshen, Noah Hanifin
OHL (4) - Sonny Milano, Anthony DeAngelo, Alex Nedeljkovic, Brandon Halverson
NCHC (3) - Will Butcher, Nick Schmaltz, Anthony Louis
WHL (2) - Brandon Carlo, Chase De Leo
ECAC (1) - John Hayden
USHL (1) - Auston Matthews
Prep School (1) - Miles Wood
By School:
Boston College (4) - Thatcher Demko, Alex Tuch, Ian McCoshen, Noah Hanifin
Michigan (4) - Dylan Larkin, J.T. Compher, Zach Werenski, Tyler Motte
Minnesota (2) - Hudson Fasching, Ryan Collins
Boston University (1) - Jack Eichel
Yale (1) - John Hayden
North Dakota (1) - Nick Schmaltz
Denver (1) - Will Butcher
Miami (1) - Anthony Louis
Nobles Prep (1) - Miles Wood
By Birth Year:
1995 (11) - Thatcher Demko, Ian McCoshen, Will Butcher, Anthony DeAngelo, J.T. Compher, Anthony Louis, Miles Wood, Tyler Motte, John Hayden, Chase DeLeo, Hudson Fasching
1996 (9) - Jack Eichel, Nick Schmaltz, Sonny Milano, Alex Tuch, Dylan Larkin, Ryan Collins, Brandon Carlo, Alex Nedeljkovic, Brandon Halverson
1997 (3) - Auston Matthews, Zach Werenski, Noah Hanifin
By NHL Draft:
2014 NHL Draft Selection (10) - Nick Schmaltz, Alex Tuch, Dylan Larkin, Sonny Milano, Chase De Leo, Ryan Collins, Anthony DeAngelo, Thatcher Demko, Alex Nedeljkovic, Brandon Halverson
2013 NHL Draft Selection (8) - Ian McCoshen, Will Butcher, Hudson Fasching, John Hayden, Tyler Motte, Miles Wood, Anthony Louis, J.T. Compher
2015 Draft Eligible (4) - Jack Eichel, Noah Hanifin, Zach Werenski, Brandon Carlo
2016 Draft Eligible (1) - Auston Matthews
By NHL Draft Round:
1st Round (5) - Alex Tuch, Dylan Larkin, Sonny Milano, Nick Schmaltz, Anthony DeAngelo
2nd Round (6) - Thatcher Demko, Ian McCoshen, Brandon Halverson, Alex Nedeljkovic, Ryan Collins, J.T. Compher
3rd Round (1) - John Hayden
4th Round (4) - Miles Wood, Tyler Motte, Chase De Leo, Hudson Fasching
5th Round (1) - Will Butcher
6th Round (1) - Anthony Louis
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Jeff Cox covers college, junior and high school hockey, NCAA recruiting and NHL Draft prospects. Follow him on Twitter @JeffCoxSports.