The World Juniors are coming quick and earlier today the USA named their leaders. All 4 of these kids have won a gold medal already at the World Juniors and they’re on the older side of the group. I think USA Hockey made the right pick with these kids.
University of North Dakota’s Jake Sanderson has been named captain of the squad. The 19-year-old defenseman won gold with the US last year at the World Juniors and was drafted 5th overall by the Ottawa Senators in 2020. So far this season at North Dakota, he’s put up 19 points (6G 13A) in 15 games. He’s among some of the older guys here and he wears an ‘A’ in ND so I think he’ll make a fine captain.
Assisting him will be Matty Beniers from the University of Michigan, Brock Faber from the University of Minnesota, and Landon Slaggert from the University of Notre Dame. All 3 of these guys were on last year’s gold medal team and they’re incredible in their own right.
I talk about Matty Beniers all the time here because he is one of my favorite players in college hockey, same goes for Landon Slaggert. Beniers is a 19-year-old forward having a fantastic season at school with 22 points (11G 11A) in 20 games. He was just drafted 2nd overall by the Seattle Kraken, their first-ever draft pick. He also wears an ‘A’ at school and is a good leader to have on your side.
Landon Slaggert plays over in Indiana with his brother Graham and as I mentioned above, he’s one of my favorite college hockey players to watch. Slagger is having himself a good season as well, no shock. He’s got himself 10 points (5G 5A) in 17 games. He’s an absolute bulldozer on the ice, was drafted 79th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2020. Although he doesn’t wear an ‘A’ at Notre Dame he is still a big part of their team and one of the older guys on this WJC roster.
As for Brock Faber, a 19-year-old defenseman from Minnesota. He’s in his 2nd year with Minnesota, has 9 points (2G 7A) in 18 games. He, like the others I mentioned earlier, won gold last year with the US and doesn’t wear an ‘A’ at school. Regardless, I think he’ll slot in just fine with this leadership group.
I think these guys are going to do great leading the pack. They’ll have their first taste of leadership on Sunday the 26th when the US kicks off their World Junior fight against Slovakia. I’ll be sitting directly in front of my TV screaming and bringing you all the updates here on Ham Sports.
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