Team USA World Juniors Roster Analysis: Forward Lines, Scouting Reports – FloHockey

The U.S. forward group is loaded with returning talent from last year’s World Junior gold-medal team team and includes a litany of new faces with a wide array of skills to help the Americans go for their first repeat gold at the World Juniors.

After the final decisions were made up front, Team USA will have 14 forwards to select from and configure in a way that they hope will lead to consistent scoring. This year’s forward group isn’t quite as deep as last year’s, but there’s enough scoring and Team USA’s top line should be as good as any trio in the tournament.

There are a bunch of returning players up front including captain Ryan Leonard (WSH), Gabe Perreault (NYR), Oliver Moore (CHI), Danny Nelson (NYI) and Carey Terrance (ANA). After that, there are a lot of new faces. 

To help get you ready for the tournament, here are some notes on every U.S. forward selected for the final roster, including their projected role and what they can bring to the table at the World Juniors.

Team USA Forwards Scouting Reports

Austin Burnevik, LW, St. Cloud State (ANA)

Over the last two years, Burnevik has gone from NTDP depth piece to legitimate goal-scoring threat. He had 40 goals in the USHL last year and has nine goals through his first 17 NCAA games with St. Cloud State. He is expected to play down USA’s lineup at five-on-five, but may have a chance to move up. He’s also been getting looks on the No. 1 power play alongside some of Team USA’s biggest stars. Burnevik is also one of USA’s biggest players up front. He’ll get some good run in prominent positions over the course of the tournament.

Trevor Connelly, LW, Providence (VGK)

A high-risk, high-reward player, Connelly is one of USA’s more dynamic players and has the ability to take over a shift. The questions are all about temperament and situational awareness right now as Connelly has taken some bad penalties at key times in the past, including in last year’s gold-medal game at the U18 Men’s World Championship. When he’s focused on scoring and making plays, though, there are few better on this roster. He has had no fewer than nine points in any tournament he’s worn the USA jersey, which includes nine at the U18 Worlds, 10 at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup and 11 at the World Junior A Challenge. He is expected to be a top-six forward and likely plays on USA’s second power play.

Cole Eiserman, RW, Boston University (NYI)

One of the truly elite goal scorers in this age group, Eiserman left the NTDP as its all-time leading goal scorer with 127 career tallies. This year at Boston University, Eiserman has nine goals and 15 points. He has been effective at five-on-five, too, which is really where he will have to shine for Team USA. We know he can hammer pucks on the power play and that’s important, too, but if he can find the net at five-on-five, USA is in much better shape. He is expected to be part of USA’s second power play unit and looks like he’ll at least start in the top six.

James Hagens, C, Boston College (2025)

After just missing last year’s team as a late cut, Hagens is motivated to make an impact this year and he’ll have the chance. Expected to be Team USA’s No. 1 center, he’s going to be flanked by BC linemates Ryan Leonard and Gabe Perreault. As a result, Hagens will be leaned on to produce points, play on the top power play and be a real driver of this team’s offense. After setting the single-tournament record for scoring at last year’s U18 Men’s World Championship and winning gold at the event the year before, he’s had some track record to build some confidence going into this tournament. The potential No. 1 pick in 2025 is going to have a lot of eyes on him and will be expected to deliver in a big way.

Ryan Leonard, RW, Boston College (WSH)

Named Team USA’s captain and one of the real heart-and-soul players for this squad, Leonard is also expected to be one of the offensive leaders. He was a force in last year’s gold medal game, scoring a goal that essentially sealed USA’s win. Now this is his team and he’s going to be expected to lead the U.S. to new heights. He had a chance to turn pro in the offseason, but decided not to and really wanted a chance to make some history with Team USA, being part of the first team to go back-to-back. Leonard has a penchant for scoring big goals and coming through in the biggest moments. As part of USA’s top line and first power play, he’ll have plenty of opportunities for heroics.

Oliver Moore, C, Minnesota (CHI)

Perhaps the fastest man in the World Juniors this year, Moore’s explosive speed is a sight to behold. It’s going to be critical for USA as he’s expected to kill penalties and play more of an energy role for USA. He was slotted in as the No. 3 center, but that could change down the road. Moore is versatile and while he isn’t as naturally skilled as he is fast, he can produce and will need to. Secondary scoring is critical for Team USA and Moore’s going to be one of the guys that is looked to, to provide some. I’d expect him to play some solid minutes and in all situations, possibly even the power play as the tournament begins.

Danny Nelson, C, Notre Dame (NYI)

Another versatile center, Nelson brings size and smarts to the position. He’s skilled enough to provide secondary scoring, big enough to provide some physical play and understands the defensive aspects of the game. I’d expect to see Nelson killing penalties and he could get some run as a net-front guy on the power play. He was slotted in as USA’s No. 2 center between Trevor Connelly and Cole Eiserman in their first exhibition game. Those are two players that he’ll have to work to get the puck to, and also make sure he’s taking care of his own zone because both of those players are offense-first players. Nelson might be the right guy to complement their styles.

Gabe Perreault, LW, Boston College (NYR)

One of the best playmakers in the tournament, Perreault is also Team USA’s top returning scorer. He had 10 points in last year’s tournament including seven over the last three games. Perreault’s ability to spot plays and use his creativity to make plays allows his linemates to thrive. Having built-in chemistry with his current linemates only enhances Perreault’s ability to contribute. He’ll be on the U.S. top power play and will be playing a lot of minutes when USA needs a goal. He’s the NTDP’s single-season scoring record holder and could walk out of this tournament as one of the top U.S. scorers in the history of this tournament if he produces like we expect him to.

Max Plante, LW, Minnesota Duluth (DET)

The last addition to USA’s pre-tournament camp made the final roster. Plante is likely to be fighting for ice time and could end up as USA’s 13th forward. His ability to play on the power play could be one way to keep him in the lineup and that’s been a spot he’s thrived in. Plante is a heady playmaker with good vision. He has some built-in chemistry with Cole Eiserman, which might make them a good pair on USA’s second power play. Plante’s going to be in the lineup if he proves he can help secondary scoring.

Teddy Stiga, RW, Boston College (NSH)

I wasn’t sure we’d see Stiga on this team after the World Junior Summer Showcase, but he earned his way into USA’s lineup with a strong first half with Boston College. He has 11 points in 16 games to start his freshman season, bringing enough speed and skill to look like a credible scoring threat in the middle portion of USA’s forward group. He also has a strong work ethic off the puck and could make Team USA’s third line formidable. Stiga probably still has some work to do to solidify his spot in the everyday lineup, but he gives USA another scoring depth option.

Brandon Svoboda, RW, Boston University (SJS)

A two-time Clark Cup champion, Svoboda’s winning pedigree surely played a role in his being included. It also doesn’t hurt that he’s got a massive frame and good skating ability to apply pressure on opposing defenses on the forecheck. We may see him some on USA’s PK and he’ll likely be stapled to the fourth line. He has three goals in 11 NCAA games so far this season. He’ll be relied on for his size, physicality and popping in a point here or there.

Carey Terrance, C, Erie Otters (ANA)

Terrance spent all of last tournament in the press box, but accepted his role and got a small taste of what the WJC is and how to win. Now USA needs him to be a contributor, likely on the penalty kill and in a depth role. He has versatility and tremendous speed, which should make him an effective two-way center. Terrance also has the ability to play pretty much wherever you need him, which makes him all the more valuable. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him contribute to USA’s secondary scoring even if his minutes might be limited some.

Joey Willis, C/W, Saginaw Spirit (NSH)

A Memorial Cup champion with Saginaw last year, Willis is having the best season of his junior career. The Chicago-area native had four points at last year’s Memorial Cup tournament, but has really taken off in his third OHL campaign. He has 17 goals in 26 games, to go along with 17 assists. He is very likely to be competing for time as USA’s 13th forward, but his scoring ability this year puts him on the map to be inserted into the lineup when USA might need a jolt or a different look. 

Brodie Ziemer, RW, Minnesota (BUF)

Ziemer was one of the standout performers at the World Junior Summer Showcase and it felt like there would be no way USA left him off after that. He’s followed that up with a solid showing as a freshman for Minnesota. He has eight goals in 20 games for the Gophers, but Ziemer’s value also comes from how aggressively he can forecheck and put pressure on opposing defensemen. He has a high motor and enough skill to finish when needed. He’ll likely be in a third-line role, providing energy and scoring depth.

Team USA Projected Forward Lines For World Juniors

Here is how Team USA lined up against Slovakia in its first pre-tournament game on Dec. 21.

Gabe Perreault (NYR) – James Hagens (2025) – Ryan Leonard (WSH)

Trevor Connelly (VGK) – Danny Nelson (NYI) – Cole Eiserman (NYI)

Teddy Stiga (NSH) – Oliver Moore (CHI) – Brodie Ziemer (BUF)

Austin Burnevik (ANA) – Carey Terrance (ANA) – Brandon Svoboda (SJS)

Extras: Joey Willis (NSH), Max Plante (DET)

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FloHockey is providing comprehensive editorial and video coverage of the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship. With a team of content creators on site and leading WJC analyst Chris Peters providing stories and columns throughout the event, make FloHockey your home to learn more about the 2025 World Juniors. FloHockey will be following Team USA and Team Canada closely, while tracking the rest of the tournament on site. See all the stories here.

In addition to comprehensive editorial coverage, FloHockey is helping you learn more about Team USA with a number of video features with select players. Here’s what we have so far, with more to come!

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