Wahlstrom Added to Team USA For World Juniors
Dec 17, 2019USA Hockey announced Tuesday that Oliver Wahlstrom (Quincy, Mass./Bridgeport Islanders) was added to the preliminary roster for the 2020 U.S. National Junior Team. Wahlstrom joins the 29-player preliminary team auditioning for a spot on the final 23-player roster that will represent the United States in the 2020 World Junior Championship from Dec. 26, 2019 – Jan. 5, 2020, in Ostrava and Trinec, Czech Republic.
“Wahlstrom adds veteran experience returning from last year’s silver medal-winning team,” said John Vanbiesbrouck, general manager of the 2020 U.S. National Junior Team and also the assistant executive director of hockey operations for USA Hockey. “We look forward to seeing how the team comes together with the group of players we currently have in Plymouth.”
The 29 players, comprised of players born in 2000 or later, come from 13 different states. A total of 23 of the players are currently playing college hockey, including 11 from the Big Ten Conference.
NOTES: USA Hockey expects to name its final 23-player roster for the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship by Dec. 24 … Scott Sandelin is the head coach of Team USA and joined by assistant coaches David Lassonde (Durham, N.H./Dartmouth College), Steve Miller (Sun Prairie, Wis./Ohio State University), Brett Larson (St. Cloud, Minn./St. Cloud State University) and Jerry Keefe (Saugus, Mass./Northeastern University) … The United States enters the tournament having medaled in four consecutive World Junior Championships for the first time in U.S. history after earning gold in 2017, silver in 2019, and bronze in both 2018 and 2016 … Team USA will play its preliminary round games in Ostrava against Group B opponents Canada, Czech Republic, Germany and Russia. Quarterfinals will be split between the Ostrava and Trinec. The semifinal and medal games will be played at Ostravar Arena in Ostrava. For more information about the tournament, click here … USA Hockey’s international council, chaired by Gavin Regan (Potsdam, N.Y.), vice president of USA Hockey, has oversight responsibilities for all U.S. national teams.