Hagens highlights USA's final roster for 2025 world juniors

Team USA unveiled the 25 players who'll represent the country at the 2025 World Junior Championship in Ottawa later this month.

The Americans have 10 returning players from last year's gold-medal-winning squad, which defeated Sweden in the final.

The U.S. opens its schedule with a Group A preliminary tilt against Germany on Boxing Day. The tournament runs Dec. 26 through Jan. 5.

Forwards

Michael Miller/ISI Photos / Getty Images Sport / Getty Player Age Current Team NHL Rights Austin Burnevik 19 St. Cloud State (NCAA) Ducks Trevor Connelly 18 Providence (NCAA) Golden Knights Cole Eiserman 18 Boston University (NCAA) Islanders James Hagens 18 Boston College (NCAA) 2025 eligible Ryan Leonard 19 Boston College (NCAA) Capitals Oliver Moore 19 Minnesota (NCAA) Blackhawks Danny Nelson 19 Notre Dame (NCAA) Islanders Gabe Perreault 19 Boston College (NCAA) Rangers Max Plante 18 Minnesota-Duluth (NCAA) Red Wings Teddy Stiga 18 Boston College (NCAA) Predators Brandon Svoboda 19 Boston University (NCAA) Sharks Carey Terrance 19 Erie (OHL) Ducks Joey Willis 19 Saginaw (OHL) Predators Brodie Ziemer 18 Minnesota (NCAA) Sabres

Cuts: Chris Pelosi, AJ Spellacy

Hagens, a top candidate to go first overall at the 2025 NHL Draft, highlights the United States' forward crop. He was a final cut from the world juniors team last winter but has plenty of momentum this time after potting 20 points in his first 16 NCAA games.

Hagens is joined by a handful of Boston College teammates, including linemates Leonard and Perreault, who were instrumental in helping the U.S. win gold last time.

The other returnees include Moore, Nelson, and Terrance.

Defense

Michael Miller/ISI Photos / Getty Images Sport / Getty Player Age Current Team NHL Rights Zeev Buium 19 Denver (NCAA) Wild Paul Fischer 19 Notre Dame (NCAA) Oilers Drew Fortescue 19 Boston College (NCAA) Rangers Logan Hensler 18 Wisconsin (NCAA) 2025 eligible Cole Hutson 18 Boston University (NCAA) Capitals Adam Kleber 18 Minnesota-Duluth (NCAA) Sabres Aram Minnetian 19 Boston College (NCAA) Stars Colin Ralph 19 St. Cloud State (NCAA) Blues

Cuts: EJ Emery, Blake Fiddler

Buium headlines the United States' blue line after going 12th overall at last summer's draft. He amassed three goals and five points in seven games at last year's tournament while averaging just over 18 minutes per contest.

Also in the mix is Hutson, the younger brother of Montreal Canadiens star rookie Lane Hutson. Hensler, meanwhile, will be looking to showcase his skills to climb up the draft boards as a 2025-eligible prospect.

Fortescue and Minnetian are also returning alongside Buium.

As for the notable cuts, the New York Rangers drafted Emery with the 30th overall pick last summer, and Fiddler is eligible to go in 2025.

Goalies

Michael Miller/ISI Photos / Getty Images Sport / Getty Player Age Current Team NHL Rights Trey Augustine 19 Michigan State (NCAA) Red Wings Sam Hillebrandt 19 Barrie (OHL) Undrafted Hampton Slukynsky 19 Western Michigan (NCAA) Kings

Augustine is ready to embark on his third world juniors. He owned a .936 save percentage and 1.75 goals against average as the United States' primary netminder at last year's event.

Hillebrandt was also named to last year's roster but didn't see any action.

Slukynsky made the roster after posting a .941 clip and 1.84 goals against average in seven games with Western Michigan this season.

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