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Today, USA Hockey announced the team that would represent the United States at this year's World U18 championships in Sochi, Russia.
This team is usually comprised of the US NTDP U18 team, with the occasional player from outside the program. This year, they didn't stray from outside the program at all. Connor Hurley, Vinni Lettieri, Adam Erne, Anthony DeAngelo, and Evan Cowley were all listed as possibilities on the preliminary roster, but with a relatively healthy group, USA Hockey didn't need to bring anyone new in, with the exception of defenseman Tommy Vannelli, who had played with the U18's since his season at Minnetonka HS ended.
The number of call-ups from the U17 team to play at the U18s was relatively scant this year as well. Only goalie Blake Weyrick(likely the back-up to Thatcher Demko), and forward Jack Eichel are repsenting the '96 age group at this tournament.
The United States has typically dominated this tournament in recent years, having won the last four gold medals. Canada is a bit hampered in this event, by the ongoing CHL playoffs, which limits their roster selection to players whose seasons' have already ended.
Here's the official roster:
2013 U.S. National Under-18 Team Roster
| No. | Name | Ht (cm) | Wt (kg) | Birthdate | S/C | Hometown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | Thatcher Demko | 6-3 (191) | 190 (76) | 12/8/95 | Left | San Diego, Calif. |
| 1 | Hunter Miska | 6-0 (183) | 171 (78) | 7/7/95 | Left | North Branch, Minn. |
| 30 | Blake Weyrick | 6-2 (188) | 200 (91) | 2/5/96 | Left | Ojai, Calif. |
| 27 | Gage Ausmus | 6-1 (185) | 204 (93) | 4/22/95 | Left | East Grand Forks, Minn. |
| 4 | Will Butcher | 5-10 (178) | 200 (91) | 1/6/95 | Left | Sun Prairie, Wis. |
| 2 | Connor Clifton | 5-11 (180) | 171 (78) | 4/28/95 | Right | Matawan, N.J. |
| 21 | Clint Lewis | 6-2 (188) | 206 (93) | 1/12/95 | Left | Burnsville, Minn. |
| 16 | Steven Santini | 6-1 (185) | 208 (94) | 3/7/95 | Right | Mahopac, N.Y. |
| 6 | Keaton Thompson | 6-0 (183) | 182 (83) | 9/14/95 | Left | Devils Lake, N.D. |
| 5 | Tommy Vannelli | 6-2 (188) | 170 (77) | 1/26/95 | Right | Minnetonka, Minn. |
| 10 | Evan Allen | 5-10 (178) | 195 (88) | 2/3/95 | Right | Sterling Heights, Mich. |
| 7 | J.T. Compher | 5-10 (178) | 178 (81) | 4/8/95 | Right | Northbrook, Ill. |
| 8 | Dawson Cook | 6-1 (185) | 197 (89) | 6/15/95 | Left | Cadillac, Mich. |
| 18 | Jack Eichel | 6-1 (185) | 177 (80) | 10/28/96 | Right | North Chelmsford, Mass. |
| 28 | Shane Eiserman | 6-2 (188) | 196 (89) | 10/10/95 | Left | West Newbury, Mass. |
| 22 | Hudson Fasching | 6-2 (188) | 214 (97) | 7/28/95 | Right | Burnsville, Minn. |
| 15 | John Hayden | 6-3 (191) | 221 (100) | 2/14/95 | Right | Greenwich, Conn. |
| 19 | Tyler Kelleher | 5-6 (165) | 154 (70) | 1/2/95 | Right | Longmeadow, Mass. |
| 12 | Kevin Labanc | 5-10 (178) | 172 (78) | 12/12/95 | Right | Staten Island, N.Y. |
| 9 | Anthony Louis | 5-6 (168) | 142 (64) | 2/10/95 | Left | Winfield, Ill. |
| 13 | Sean Malone | 5-11 (180) | 185 (84) | 4/30/95 | Left | West Seneca, N.Y. |
| 24 | Michael McCarron | 6-5 (196) | 227 (103) | 3/7/95 | Right | Macomb, Mich. |
| 14 | Tyler Motte | 5-9 (175) | 184 (83) | 3/10/95 | Left | St. Clair, Mich. |