2026 World Junior Preview: Can USA three-peat on home ice?
Last year, USA Hockey entered Ottawa with one goal in mind: winning gold for the second consecutive time.
Despite the nation’s success over the past 15 years, that’s something they had never achieved before. So now, hosting the tournament on home ice for the first time since 2018, they’re looking to become just the third nation to win three years in a row after both Canada and the Soviet Union managed to do so.
On paper, this American lineup isn’t as strong as the past two. But the tournament isn’t played on paper. It’s not going to take much to get this group motivated to do something no American group has ever done before:
Looking Back to 2025
USA Hockey entered the 2025 tournaments as favorites – but history was definitely not on their side heading in. Fortunately, the Americans started with a big 10-4 victory over Germany before topping Latvia 5-1 two days later. The Americans suffered their only loss of the tournament the next day, losing 4-3 in a thrilling overtime game against Finland before stunning the crowd in Ottawa with a convincing 4-1 victory over Canada.
The Americans entered the quarterfinal as the top seed in Group A and would easily take down Switzerland 7-2. They then powered through against Czechia, beating them 4-1 after the Czechs knocked out the home team two nights earlier. That meant USA was bound for a rematch against the Finns – a game that required extra time once more. This time, though, Teddy Stiga would lift the Americans to gold, scoring on his only shot of the tournament. Talk about making it count.
Goaltenders
This is USA’s weakest position. But all you need is one guy to get hot for a few days and everything will be fine. Nick Kempf (Washington Capitals) will be the team’s starter after impressing in previous national team events. His college numbers have been nothing to write home about, but Notre Dame’s lineup leaves a lot to be desired. He’s capable of heavy workloads and can steal the odd game. I really liked him at the 2024 U-18s in Finland – if he can play like that, he’ll give his team a chance to win every night.
During the World Junior Summer Showcase, Caleb Heil (Tampa Bay Lightning) had some shining moments. He likely won’t get many starts, but he’s coming off a third strong showing at the World Junior A Challenge – USA Hockey clearly likes him. I expect Heil to get the backup gig over the undrafted AJ Reyelts, who made the team after a great run with the upstart Penticton Vees. The Minnesota-Duluth commit has never represented USA Hockey beforehand, but the 19-year-old has been solid in his first year in the WHL.
Of note, 2026 NHL Draft prospect Brady Knowling was also added to USA’s camp roster. It’ll be interesting to see if he was added more for the experience (he could be the No. 1 next year) or if they really think he has a shot at pushing someone out. Either way, I like him.
Defensemen
USA has had deeper defensive units in the past, but this one is full of players in the midst of big campaigns. They still have two cuts to make here, but it’s a strong group, nonetheless.
Cole Hutson (Washington Capitals) is projected to be one of the best defensemen in this tournament after leading the 2025 event in points. He’ll be everything for the Americans, likely taking an even bigger role after serving as the No. 2 blueliner a year ago. I also expect EJ Emery (New York Rangers) to eat a lot of minutes while serving as more of a shutdown option. I hope he gets to skate alongside Hutson and re-ignite the magic we saw during their U-18 days. It’s been a few years since we’ve seen them together, though.
Next up, a pair of Wisconsin defenders. Luke Osburn (Buffalo Sabres) was USA’s most noticeable defender at the World Junior Summer Showcase, and I’ve liked him in college. Logan Hensler (Ottawa Senators) has shown a bit more offensive proficiency than I was expecting. He’s stable defensively and should be able to eat a lot of minutes – that’s all you can ask for. They don’t typically play together with the Badgers, but they’d fit well together here.
For the rest of the D-core, Adam Kleber (Buffalo Sabres) and Blake Fiddler (Seattle Kraken) bring size and puck-moving prowess to the table. They can shut guys down, but they can also join in on the rush every now and then. Henry Brzustewicz (Los Angeles Kings) has had a good season with the London Knights and can be a good support player who beats opponents with his mobility.
The two most fascinating players haven’t been drafted yet: Chase Reid and Dakoda Rheaume-Mullen. Reid has a real chance of going in the top five of the 2026 NHL Draft after having one of the biggest glow-ups of any prospect over the past 12 months. USA Hockey cut him from the U-18 World Championship team, though, so it was wild seeing him named to the preliminary U-20 roster just a few months later (but it was absolutely deserved. Rheaume-Mullen has been great in college, and despite getting passed over for the 2025 draft, he’ll likely push a few NHL-affiliated prospects down this depth chart.
USA Hockey also brought Asher Barnett (Edmonton Oilers) to camp after a solid showing at the U-18s last spring. He’s good as a distributor and seems to always be looking to create something. He’s not big, but he’s got some muscle to him. At the very least, he’ll be a decent second-pairing option for USA next year.
Forwards
The star up front will be Hagens, who served as the team’s No. 1 center a year ago. He won’t have Ryan Leonard or Gabe Perreault at his side, but he has plenty of chemistry with Teddy Stiga (Nashville Predators) and Brodie Ziemer (Buffalo Sabres) from their days at the USA Hockey National Team Development Program. Hagens will be counted on to be a leader, both on the bench and offensively. Ziemer will bring the hockey sense and energy, while Stiga will bring a can’t-lose-by-any-cost mentality that allowed him to score the golden goal last January. He played a depth role a year ago but will be given every chance to prove himself in Minnesota.
Two of the better wingers on this team are Cole Eiserman (New York Islanders) and Trevor Connelly (Vegas Golden Knights). Eiserman was a menace with and without the puck back in Ottawa. He’s producing well in the NCAA as a sophomore at Boston University, too. Connelly was injured during the World Junior Summer Showcase and missed significant time, but he has been on a heater in the AHL ever since.
Two of the best players in the NCAA this season – and perhaps the two players riding the hotteat hands – have been Will Horcoff (Pittsburgh Penguins) and Max Plante (Detroit Red Wings). I could see both of them pushing themselves higher in the lineup – but if they’re on the third line, as our projection below has them, they’ll be a matchup nightmare. Ryker Lee (Nashville Predators) was a dynamo back in August, and his creativity and raw talent should give the Americans a boost in their middle six.
If you’re looking for toughness, you’ll get that out of Shane Vansaghi (Philadelphia Flyers) and AJ Spellacy (Chicago Blackhawks). Two-way reliability? Meet Kamil Bednarik (New York Islanders). Cole McKinney (San Jose Sharks) is no slouch with the puck, while It’s a strong group, all things considered. LJ Mooney might be the team’s most skilled forward. It’ll be interesting to see whom USA Hockey cuts, with Jacob Kvasnicka (New York Islanders), Brendan McMorrow (Los Angeles Kings) and late addition Will Zellers (Boston Bruins) being the ones to watch. Each of them has a legit case to make the roster, though, thanks to their unique skillsets.
2026 NHL Draft
Reid has a real shot at becoming the first defenseman taken off the board this year, depending on whom you talk to. His play-reads are top-notch, and few players can make the quick, smart plays that he’s capable of. I like how he joins in as a fourth forward without sacrificing his defensive responsibilities. It’s a strong defense crop this year, and Reid will need to work hard to maintain his status near the top of the draft. Teams love blueliners with incredible hockey IQ, and Reid absolutely fits the bill.
Projection
The Americans aren’t as deep as they were a year ago, simple as that. But they rarely have the most pure talent of any team – instead, they beat you with good coaching, a relentless attack and a sense of community that few other teams can replicate. So many of these players spent their junior hockey days playing together with the U-17/U-18 USNTDP, building chemistry that few other hockey programs can match. Will it be enough to win gold? Unlike last year, they’re definitely not the favorite, but a finish outside of one of the two medal games would be a big surprise.
Schedule
Dec. 21 vs. Germany – 5:00 PM ET (Pre-tournament)
Dec. 23 vs. Finland – 7:00 PM ET (Pre-tournament)
Dec. 26 vs. Germany – 6:00 PM ET
Dec. 27 vs. Switzerland – 6:00 PM ET
Dec. 29 vs. Slovakia – 6:00 PM ET
Dec. 31 vs. Sweden – 6:00 PM ET
NHL Prospects
Goaltenders:
Caleb Heil (Tampa Bay Lightning)
Nicholas Kempf (Washington Capitals)
Defensemen:
Adam Kleber (Buffalo Sabres)
Luke Osburn (Buffalo Sabres)
Asher Barnett (Edmonton Oilers)
Henry Brzustewicz (Los Angeles Kings)
EJ Emery (New York Rangers)
Logan Hensler (Ottawa Senators)
Blake Fiddler (Seattle Kraken)
Cole Hutson (Washington Capitals)
Forwards:
James Hagens (Boston Bruins)
Will Zellers (Boston Bruins)
Brodie Ziemer (Buffalo Sabres)
A.J. Spellacy (Chicago Blackhawks)
Max Plante (Detroit Red Wings)
Brendan McMorrow (Los Angeles Kings)
L.J. Mooney (Montréal Canadiens)
Ryker Lee (Nashville Predators)
Teddy Stiga (Nashville Predators)
Kamil Bednarik (New York Islanders)
Cole Eiserman (New York Islanders)
Jacob Kvasnicka (New York Islanders)
Shane Vansaghi (Philadelphia Flyers)
William Horcoff (Pittsburgh Penguins)
Cole McKinney (San Jose Sharks)
Trevor Connelly (Vegas Golden Knights)
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2026 World Junior Championship Previews
- Team Czechia looks ready to medal again (Dec. 10)
- Slovakia hoping for a big showing from young team (Dec. 11)
- Germany just hopes to stick around (Dec. 12)
- Is Team Canada back? (Dec. 15)
- It’s gold or bust for Sweden (Dec. 16)
- Switzerland just needs to avoid relegation (Dec. 17)
- Denmark has their work cut out for them (Dec. 18)