<p>After winning the last two World Junior Championships, the Summer Showcase in Minnesota last week didn’t exactly go to plan.</p>



<p>The United States failed to win a group as a single unit, with their lone win coming while still acting as a split squad. The good news? The team never put their full lineup together, so we didn’t get to see them at full speed.</p>



<p>Although the results weren’t promising, there isn’t much to be concerned about. At least, not yet.</p>



<p>On paper, the Americans have one of the deepest lineups yet again. That’s important on home ice, even if the team might not be as scary as it was in 2024 or 2025. There might be less pure skill, but the depth up front and on the blueline is nothing to scoff at. The USA Hockey National Team Development Program might be on a bit of a dry spell, but there’s still plenty of talent to go around.</p><div class="injected-ad injected-video" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="0" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="159"></div>



<p>The Americans might not be as deep as <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/chicago-blackhawks-top-25-players-nhl-hall-hull-mikita-kane">Canada is projected to be</a>. But a lot can happen over the next few months. Here’s a look at what USA’s lineup could look like when the tournament heads to Minnesota this winter:</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Forwards</h2>



<p>Teddy Stiga (NSH) – James Hagens (BOS) – Brodie Ziemer (BUF)<br>Cole Eiserman (NYI) – Kamil Bednarik (NYI) – Trevor Connelly (VGK)<br>Ryker Lee (NSH) – Cullen Potter (CGY) – LJ Mooney (MTL)<br>Shane Vansaghi (PHI) – Will Horcoff (PIT) – Max Plante (DET)<br>AJ Spellacy (CHI), Cole McKinney (SJS)</p>



<p><em>Also considered: Ben Kevan (NJD), Jack Murtagh (PHI), Will Moore (BOS)</em></p>



<p>The beauty of the USNTDP is watching chemistry form over time. With Ziemer and Stiga by his side, Hagens registered the best single-tournament numbers in U-18 World Championship history in 2024 – and now they’ll have a chance to reunite for more. Hagens had a good showing in Ottawa, and Stiga scored the championship-winner in overtime. Ziemer, meanwhile, has quickly become one of my favorite prospects in the game due to his work ethic. He may not be big, but his impact definitely is. </p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="1" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="183"></div>



<p>Eiserman would be the driving force of the second line, coming in as one of USA’s most important shooters. He has plenty of experience with Bednarik and Connelly, so it would be only natural to get the band back together. Connelly is going to have half a season of pro hockey experience under his belt by the time this tournament rolls around, too – that can’t hurt.</p>



<p>The third line would be sneaky good. All three players were absolute stars at the WJSS –&nbsp;like, among the best players in the tournament, period. Lee continues to get better as he grows into his growing frame, while Mooney has shown he has no shortage of skill to work with, despite being the smallest player on this team. Potter can make things happen with just about anyone, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up on the second line instead.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="2" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="148"></div>



<p>I considered going with all muscle on the fourth line, with Spellacy taking over for Plante. But Plante had too good of a tournament last year to be an extra forward, and I wasn’t sure where else to put him. I really like Plante – someone who outthinks almost everyone. I think he’s going to be a valuable long-term threat for the Red Wings. But here, with two tough, hard-working forwards in Vansaghi and Horcoff, it gives USA a line that’s not only tough to play against, but skilled, too.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Defensemen</h2>



<p>Cole Hutson (WSH) – EJ Emery (NYR)<br>Luke Osburn (BUF) – Logan Hensler (OTT)<br>Will Skahan (UTA) – Adam Kleber (BUF)<br>Jacob Rombach (NSH) – Blake Fiddler (SEA)</p>



<p><em>Also considered: Tanner Hendricks (CBJ), Dakoda Rhéaume-Mullen (Undrafted), Henry Brzustewicz (LAK)</em></p>



<p>I wanted this top pairing a year ago and I want it back again. Hutson led all players with 11 points at last year’s tournament, which was one of MANY awards he racked up as a first-year Boston University star. He also led the U-18s in defensive scoring in 2024 – partly thanks to the extra defensive help lent out by Emery. I’d love to see Hutson and Emery re-ignite the magic that made them so dangerous with the USNTDP because they make up for each other’s weaknesses better than anyone.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="3" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="217"></div>



<p>Two of the most impressive defenders at the WJSS were Osburn and Hensler. Osburn was incredible at the World Junior A Challenge and put up solid numbers with Youngstown last year. But beyond that, he never played with the USNTDP and never seemed to be too high on USA Hockey’s radar. His play in Minnesota was promising, showing some serious skill from the point. Hensler, meanwhile, showed a bit more offensive prowess than I was expecting, giving Sens fans many reasons to smile at Riddler Arena.</p>



<p>I’m always up for a D pairing dominated by size, and that’s where 6-foot-4 Skahan and 6-foot-6 Kleber come in. Both are mobile for their size, and I thought Skahan, in particular, had a noticeable tournament. Try spitting through the middle of them without getting absolutely obliterated.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="4" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="133"></div>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Goaltenders</h2>



<p>Nick Kempf (WSH)<br>Caleb Heil (TBL)<br>Patrick Quinlan (2026)</p>



<p><em>Also considered: Jack Parsons (Undrafted), Kam Hendrickson (Undrafted)</em></p>



<p>This is USA’s weakest position by far – and one that I don’t feel better about after watching the WJSS. The Trey Augustine safety net is gone, with Kempf now set to handle the starter’s gig. He had a difficult first year with the University of Notre Dame, but he does have a solid international resume with the USNTDP. Kempf had the best numbers at the 2024 U-18s and nearly won top goalie honors. He proved this past year that he plays better the more shots he faces, and while that’s not expected to be a factor at the WJCs, this could be the perfect opportunity for Quinlan to prove himself.</p>



<p>Heil had his moments at the WJSS and was excellent at the World Junior A Challenge last December. The Univ. of North Dakota commit played the most hockey of his junior career this past year, helping to put himself back on the map after getting overlooked at the 2024 NHL Draft. I’m not sure he’s a future NHL goatlender, but a good start to the year with the USHL’s Madison Capitols would be huge for his confidence. For the third goaltender, I like the idea of them bringing Patrick Quinlan, the projected No. 1 for the 2027 World Juniors. The Sarnia Sting goaltender didn’t get to shine with the USNTDP as part of a three-headed monster, but he did have a solid U-18 World Championship. We know they like him – bring him along for the experience.</p><div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="5" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="263"></div>



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