USA makes two cuts, two more to go ahead of 2026 World Juniors

USA Hockey has announced that Vegas Golden Knights prospect Trevor Connelly and Los Angeles Kings draft pick Henry Brzustewicz have been released from training camp.

The team is now down to 27 players, with one forward and one defenseman cut left to go. USA Hockey is expected to make those roster decisions after their game against Finland on Tuesday evening.

Connelly was eligible to play his second World Junior tournament after putting up four points a year ago. He was the only player on the team with pro experience, spending the first half of the season with the AHL’s Henderson Silver Knights. Connelly was injured during the World Junior Summer Showcase, and after leaving Sunday’s pre-tournament game with a lower-body ailment, he was ruled out of the tournament in Minnesota.

Brzustewicz, meanwhile, had never represented USA outside of the World Junior Summer Showcase. The 18-year-old has 18 points in 26 games this season, putting him on track for a second consecutive season with more than 40 points. Brzustewicz is eligible to play on USA in 2027.

USA will kick off the tournament with a 6:00 PM ET meeting with Germany on Dec. 26. They’ll also take on Switzerland and Slovakia before finishing up against Sweden on Dec. 31.

Here is a look at the remaining roster:

Goaltenders

• Nicholas Kempf: Washington Capitals
• Caleb Heil: Tampa Bay Lightning
• Brady Knowling: 2026 Eligible

Defensemen

• EJ Emery: New York Rangers
• Cole Hutson: Washington Capitals
• Adam Kleber: Buffalo Sabres
• Logan Hensler: Ottawa Senators
• Blake Fiddler: Seattle Kraken
• Asher Barnett: Edmonton Oilers
• Luke Osburn: Buffalo Sabres
• Dakoda Rhéaume-Mullen: 2026 Eligible
• Chase Reid: 2026 Eligible

Forwards

• James Hagens: Boston Bruins
• Cole Eiserman: New York Islanders
• Kamil Bednarik: New York Islanders
• Teddy Stiga: Nashville Predators
• Max Plante: Detroit Red Wings
• Brodie Ziemer: Buffalo Sabres
• Ryker Lee: Nashville Predators
• William Horcoff: Pittsburgh Penguins
• A.J. Spellacy: Chicago Blackhawks
• Brendan McMorrow: Los Angeles Kings
• L.J. Mooney: Montreal Canadiens
• Cole McKinney: San Jose Sharks
• Jacob Kvasnicka: New York Islanders
• Shane Vansaghi: Philadelphia Flyers
• Will Zellers: Boston Bruins

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