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U.S. World Junior Team at Boston University: Pregame Notes and Lines

Pregame notes and lines as the U.S. National Junior Team concludes its 2015 training camp with a Friday night exhibition contest against top-ranked Boston University at Walter Brown Arena. The game marks the Terriers' first game in their former home since moving to Agganis Arena in 2005.

By Joshua Kummins
Jack Eichel will line up against his teammates in an exhibition game Friday at Walter Brown Arena.
Jack Eichel will line up against his teammates in an exhibition game Friday at Walter Brown Arena.
Matt Dewkett

BOSTON -- Good evening from Walter Brown Arena in Boston where the 2015 U.S. National Junior Team Camp concludes with an exhibition contest against the No. 1 team in the nation, Boston University.

Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m. GoTerriers.com will provide free live streaming of the game with Bernie Corbett and Tom Ryan on the call.

USA Hockey invited 30 players to a four-day training camp which has taken place here at BU. head coach Mark Osiecki expects cuts to be made following this evening's game as the team will head north for contests in Kingston, Ontario before its first World Junior Championship pool play game with Finland on Dec. 26.

The game's big storyline is, of course, BU freshman Jack Eichel taking the ice opposite his Terrier teammates as the top line center for the U.S. squad. The North Chelmsford, Mass. native and top 2015 NHL Draft prospect will wear the captain's 'C' for the game.

An extra forward and defenseman will take the ice for the U.S. while expected starting goaltender Thatcher Demko of Boston College will not dress, giving Brandon Halverson and Alex Nedeljkovic the opportunity to split the game.

On the flip side, the Terriers will dress a pretty regular lineup with the exception Eichel's absence. Freshman J.J. Piccinich moves to the top line while junior Danny O'Regan will take Eichel's usual center position.

BU posted its 11th win of the season, exceeding last year's full-season total, with a 5-1 triumph last Saturday night at RPI. Five different Terriers scored goals, while junior Matt O'Connor made 35 saves.

Historically, BU has never played the World Junior Team in an exhibition in its hockey history but the Olympic and National Team Development Program Under-18 Teams have played oppositions on more than one occasion each. Tonight's game is the only at any level of college hockey.

U.S. WORLD JUNIOR TEAM

Tyler Motte - Jack Eichel - Alex Tuch
Nick Schmaltz - J.T. Compher - Jeremy Bracco
Sonny Milano - Chase De Leo - Anthony Louis
Adam Erne - Cole Cassels - Michael McCarron
(extra) Miles Wood

Michael Downing - Ryan Collins
Will Butcher - Anthony DeAngelo
Noah Hanifin - Brandon Carlo
(extra) Jack Dougherty

Brandon Halverson
Alex Nedeljkovic

BOSTON UNIVERSITY

Ahti Oksanen - Danny O'Regan - J.J. Piccinich
Chase Phelps - Cason Hohmann - Kevin Duane
A.J. Greer - Matt Lane - Nick Roberto
Dillon Lawrence - Mike Moran - Tommy Kelley

Matt Grzelcyk - John MacLeod
Brandon Hickey - Brandon Fortunato
Doyle Somerby - T.J. Ryan
(extra) Brien Diffley

Matt O'Connor
Connor LaCouvee
Anthony Moccia