2027 World Junior Championship: Projecting USA’s roster

Nov 5, 2026, 09:00 EST

2027 World Junior Championship: Projecting USA’s roster

Credit: Steven Ellis

The United States failed to secure a medal on home ice in 2026 after winning back-to-back gold medals. And while taking the top spot on the podium will be a tough ask this year in Alberta, the Americans are poised to be a major contender once again.

USA Hockey has experienced a slight dip in dynamic, top-tier talent coming through the National Team Development Program. That isn’t to say the program isn’t producing quality players – the vast majority of the projected roster below has NTDP experience. It’s just been a while since we’ve seen an age group boast the game-breaking star power of James Hagens, Cole Eiserman, Will Smith, Gabe Perreault, and Ryan Leonard.

That being said, the national team has benefited immensely from high-end talent emerging across the CHL, NCAA, and USHL. Ethan Wyttenbach, for example, was one of the premier offensive drivers in all of college hockey last season as a true freshman. Carter Sanderson has developed into an offensive machine in the WHL, while Tommy Bleyl came out of nowhere before putting on a show in the QMJHL.

Those are the types of depth finds that can carry a team deep into medal-round play, and that’s precisely what USA Hockey is banking on this winter. Here is a projection of what the 25-man U.S. roster could look like heading into December:

Forwards

Mikey Berchild (CAR) – Wyatt Cullen (NSH) – Ethan Wyttenbach (CGY)
Carter Sanderson (PIT) – Cole McKinney (SJS) – Will Horcoff (PIT)
Victor Plante (DET) – Sammy Nelson (2027) – L.J. Mooney (MTL)
Jacob Kvasnicka (NYI) – Brooks Rogowski (VAN) – Teddy Mutryn (SJS)
Cullen Potter (CGY), Mason West (CHI)

Also considered: Jack Hextall (CGY); Evan Jardine (CBJ); Jack Murtagh (PHI)

So, let’s get this out of the way: Nikita Klepov is expected to play for Russia in IIHF competition once they’re fully let back in, meaning you shouldn’t expect him to play for USA again. That definitely leaves a big hole in USA’s lineup, but they have solid depth regardless with a lot of built-in chemistry thanks to the USNTDP, among other things.

There’s no way Adam Nightingale should change from what worked in Windsor – that top line was the best in the tourney. Berchild has the speed and skill, Cullen is the all-around threat, and Wyttenbach can’t be stopped right now. Their play styles mesh so well together, and it would be wild to change course from that. McKinney might not be the flashiest second-line center, but he’s averaging a point per game as a sophomore at Michigan and has typically thrived internationally with USA Hockey – they know (and love) him. Horcoff, a returnee, has experience playing with McKinney in spurts over the past two years at Michigan, so that should be a decent fit. The most interesting potential top-six option is Sanderson, who, after an outstanding showing in July, is off to an unstoppable start with the WHL’s Calgary Hitmen. It almost looks too easy for him. It’s always fun to see World Junior A Challenge tournament alumni get the call to the big team, but it’ll be well deserved if he does.

This isn’t the deepest bottom-six USA has ever deployed, but it’s definitely not weak. Mooney looked great at this tournament last year and, despite a slow start in the NCAA, should be a key contributor for the Americans. Nelson is a potential first-round pick in 2027 but was one of the top USNTDP players over the past two years. The same goes for Plante, who, like his brother, was a fixture of the program. Plante is a high-end playmaker who thinks the game at a high level. For the rest of the roster, Rogowski was a standout during the summer and should be a lock, even if it’s in a bottom-six situation. I wasn’t sure where to put Potter, who has struggled a bit this year, but I like him as the 13th forward. I think the extra spot could come down to West and Hextall, but I gave West the advantage because he thrived with Rogowski in the summer and his big frame could come in handy.

Defensemen

*Tommy Bleyl (Steven Ellis/Daily Faceoff)*

Henry Brzustewicz (LAK) – Chase Reid (SEA)
Drew Schock (ANA) – Tommy Bleyl (NSH)
Jacob Rombach (NSH) – Carter Amico (PHI)
Asher Barnett (EDM) – Lincoln Kuehne (NYI)

Also considered: Sean Barnhill (NYR); Blake Fiddler (SEA); Landon Nycz (STL); Carter Murphy (2027)

USA’s blueline definitely lacks in comparison to Canada’s. But they might have the best defender in the tournament – Reid. The returnee was excellent in a big role last year and will be even more important as a top-pairing, all-around threat this year. Brzustewicz, meanwhile, has never played for the Americans in a major international event, but that’s about to change. He has spent the year playing against pros in the AHL, and while it’s been a bit of a steep learning curve, it’s still a positive part of his development.

One player who absolutely deserves attention is Schock. He’s the second highest-scoring U-20 American in the NCAA right now with 11 points in nine games – one more point than his production through 38 games as a freshman. He’s clearly playing with so much confidence, failing to register a point in just one outing. Look for Schock to eat a ton of minutes after starting the season as more of a depth option for the Americans. Speaking of offense, it’s easy to like Bleyl, given how dominant he was in the Q last year. He’s off to a solid start at MSU this year; let’s see if the momentum continues.

If the Americans want a duo with size, you can’t beat Rombach (6-foot-6) and Amico (6-foot-5). Rombach is your prototypical defensive defender, while Amico was one of USA’s best play drivers from the point back in the summer. Neither is producing that well in college, but they both bring a ton of value to this American roster. As for the extras. Barnett has shown well for the Americans in the past, while Kuehne is having a solid year at Arizona State.

Goaltenders

Ryder Fetterolf (Steven Ellis/The Nation Network)

Brady Knowling (SJS)
Ryder Fetterolf (CAR)
Harrison Boettiger (2027)

Also considered: Ryan Cameron (EDM); Matthew Minchak (VGK); Carter Casey (2027); Xavier Wendt (2027)

This crease has the upside to outperform last year’s showing in Minnesota, even if it lacks a pedigree netminder like Trey Augustine. Knowling served as the third goalie a year ago and should receive the first opportunity to run with the starting job. He carries an imposing frame and explosive lateral mobility, though scouts still question his game-to-game consistency.

How long of a leash Knowling gets remains to be seen. Fetterolf showed well in Windsor, established a stellar junior track record in the OHL and has performed better than his raw numbers indicate at Penn State. He lacks a big frame, but his quickness allows him to thrive. Boettiger was arguably the best American netminder at the summer showcase and has carried Kelowna with several game-stealing performances in the WHL. USA Hockey seems to like him, which should help earn him the third goaltending spot.

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