2027 World Junior Championship: A very early USA roster projection
USA’s gold medal streak came to a close on home ice last year following a quarterfinal loss to the eventual tournament champs, Sweden. Could they get themselves back on the podium in the land of their biggest rival, Canada?
The World Junior Summer Showcase in Windsor last week was definitely a good start. It was challenging to judge the team’s true performance, given that they started with two teams before using a mix-and-match lineup for the second half. But USA’s 7-2 victory over the Canadians on the final day was precisely the boost the team needed heading into Alberta.
USA’s 2007- and 2008-born crops haven’t done a ton of winning in recent memory. The Americans won bronze with the 2025 U-18 World Championship group, but failed to medal at all in 2026. They took home silver at the 2023 U-17 World Challenge but didn’t medal in 2024. They did win the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, though, but I wouldn’t expect too many players from that roster to make the final WJC lineup.
The United States should be in medal contention, no question about it. It’s far from the deepest lineup they’ve brought to the big dance, but that’s the case for most of the major contenders this year. So, who knows? Maybe it’ll work out. Today, we’re doing a super early roster projection after watching most of the group battle it out in Windsor over the past week:
FORWARDS
Mikey Berchild (CAR) – Wyatt Cullen (NSH) – Ethan Wyttenbach (CGY)
Will Horcoff (PIT) – Cole McKinney (SJS) – L.J. Mooney (MTL)
Cullen Potter (CGY) – Brooks Rogowski (VAN) – Mason West (CHI)
Carter Sanderson (PIT)– Sammy Nelson (2027) – Teddy Mutryn (SJS)
Jacob Kvasnicka (NYI), Victor Plante (DET)
USA found some solid chemistry at the WJSS, starting with the Berchild/Cullen/Wyttenbach line. That trio should stay together at all costs; they were dominant in the offensive zone and an absolute pain in the rear end to deal with in the defensive zone. Berchild was the playmaker, Cullen was the two-way threat and Wyttenbach couldn’t stop scoring if he tried. This is an easy line to keep together, as is the massive duo of Rogowski and West. They’re both huge forwards, and while their skillsets might cancel eachother out a bit, it was clear they were better together during the WJSS than apart. They both know how to use their frames, and, more importantly, they’re strong skaters for their size. Rogowski, in particular, was one of the best players in Windsor, and may have solidified a spot on the final roster as long as he starts strong this year.
The second line is full of returnees. I wanted to see more out of Horcoff at last year’s event, but he was still one of the NCAA’s most lethal shooters. Mooney didn’t put up a ton of points at the summer showcase, but I did feel like he made the team more dangerous on the track every time he was in the lineup. You could tell they were missing his speed and skill when he was an healthy scratch. McKinney didn’t play at the WJSS, but I like his overall round game and it feels like he’s going to be a good fit for this team in a bigger role than he had last year.
I think Mutryn deserves a spot on this team after an excellent showing in a bottom-six role in Windsor. You could argue his brother, Casey, could also fill a fourth-line wing role, but Teddy has the age advantage and is a better skater. In a pure energy role, Mutryn is extremely valuable. Sanderson had a productive start to the WJSS and while he was best alongside Rogowski and West, I think the idea of putting him on the fourth line with the ability to get in front of the net and pick up the odd rebound is a good start. I wasn’t sure where to put Plante, but he’s a stout playmaker who does a lot of damage on the power play, and that could push him up the lineup if needed.
DEFENSEMEN
Henry Brzustewicz (LAK) – Chase Reid (SEA)
Asher Barnett (EDM) – Tommy Bleyl (NSH)
Jacob Rombach (NSH) – Carter Amico (PHI)
Drew Schock (ANA) – Blake Fiddler (SEA)
The Americans will have one of the best defensemen at the tournament in Reid. He was spectacular at this event a year ago and was the most noticeable defender at the WJSS, as well. Had he not committed to Michigan State, he could have easily made a run at cracking the Kraken this year. His two-way game and overall hockey sense are just a step above the rest, and it’ll be fun watching him try and bring gold back south of the border.
As for the other returnee, Barnett is a defensively reliable option who probably won’t push the needle with the puck, but won’t make many mistakes. Brzustewicz likely should have been there in Minnesota last year, but I expect him to play quite a bit as a hard-hitting, two-way threat. For a bit more offensive juice, Bleyl had a huge season in the QMJHL last season as one of the top puck-movers in the league. I’m not fully convinced he’ll be a top-four defender at this event, but I’m in favor of him taking some of Reid’s ice time away to keep Reid a bit more rested for bigger moments.
The guy who really impressed me at the WJSS was Amico. Amico was outstanding at this tournament, creating some high-quality offensive chances every single night. He’s one of those guys that really had to find a way to play their way onto the main roster, but I know the coaching staff had to love what they saw with his two-way game. Amico’s bread and butter is taking space away swiftly and effectively, but the up-ice puck rushes were a nice touch, as well.
GOALTENDERS
Brady Knowling (SJS)
Ryder Fetterolf (CAR)
Harrison Boettiger (2027)
I think this is a stronger goalie trio than the one we saw in Minnesota last year. Knowling was USA’s third goalie a year ago, and even got a surprising start – although, it definitely didn’t go to plan. USA Hockey didn’t bring him to the summer showcase, but they didn’t need to, given he’s been the US NTDP goalie for two years and has that World Junior experience. Regardless, his big frame and athleticism are impressive, although I definitely wish his glove hand was significantly quicker than it actually is. He’s a project goalie, but a guy that many scouts really believe in.
I thought Boettiger was the most consistent U.S. goalie during the summer showcase and was happy with his rookie WHL campaign, even if he wasn’t ultimately drafted. He’s had solid numbers the last couple of years and has stolen his fair share of games. USA Hockey seems to like him, and I think he deserves to be on the final roster. Fetteroff didn’t have a lot of experience with USA Hockey before the summer showcase, but really impressed in that game against Canada. He’s not a huge goalie, but he’s so athletic to the point where he could be one of those smaller goalies who makes it work.
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