World Juniors Roster Analysis: Why Trey Augustine Is Team USA’s X Factor – FloHockey

As Team USA looks to go back-to-back for the first time at the World Juniors, they have a very important not-so-secret weapon – goalie Trey Augustine.

If you look at USA’s roster, the strength of its team is in net, due in large part to Augustine who is going to be playing in his third straight World Juniors. He will become the fourth U.S. goalie to accomplish the feat, joining Jack Campbell, Spencer Knight and Jack Perry.

Experience matters, especially in net. Augustine not only has the experience, but he’s had success. He was a major factor in USA’s gold-medal win over Sweden last year. Though just 19, he already has four IIHF medals including last year’s gold and a gold at the 2023 World Under-18 Championship, silver from a U18 Worlds and bronze as an underager in his first trip to the World Juniors.

VIDEO: 17-Year-Old Trey Augustine Discusses First World Junior Experience

Most goalies that have played three years in this tournament, don’t get a chance to play as much as Augustine has. With 10 WJC appearances under his belt, Augustine is tied for fifth among U.S. goalies all time at the event. By the time it is over, he will likely finish second behind Perry, who appeared in 18 WJC games in the 1980s, and just ahead of Campbell who appeared in 14 games between 2010-2012, winning gold in 2010. He also was incited to play at last year’s Men’s World Championship, appearing in four games playing with and against NHL players.

While Augustine has experience, this will be the first World Juniors where the net is fully his. Though Hampton Slukynsky is an exceptional goaltender and deserving of some playing time, Augustine’s status as the No. 1 has never been clearer.

At last year’s World Juniors, he made four starts and won each of them, while competing for reps with Jacob Fowler. When it came to the final two games of the tournament, Augustine got the nod and delivered exceptional performances, including 19 saves in a tight 3-2 win over Finland in the semis and 24 saves in a 6-2 win in the gold-medal game.

VIDEO: Trey Augustine Talks After Gold Medal Win

What is scarier for opposing teams is that Augustine is playing some of the best hockey of his career this year.

After an exceptional freshman season at Michigan State, helping the Spartans win the Big Ten tournament and reestablish itself as an elite program, Augustine has been even better as a sophomore.

In 14 games with the Spartans this season, he has won 11 games, posted two shutouts and owns a sparkling .930 save percentage. Michigan State has been among the top teams in college hockey this season and looks like a legitimate threat to compete for the national title.

Trey Augustine (DET) is simply THAT GUY!
A shutout tonight for Michigan State and saves like this? Yeah, you LOVE to see it!#GoGreen #B1GHockey #NCAAHockey #CollegeHockey #NCAA pic.twitter.com/wxlgbWwBEv

— FloHockey (@FloHockey) October 26, 2024

Augustine has not allowed more than three goals in any game this season and has faced his fair share of shots. In the biggest games of the Spartans season so far, against Boston College and Minnesota, Augustine went 2-1-1.

He is as dialed in as we’ve seen him, which is an especially high bar to clear considering Augustine’s mental preparation and on-ice demeanor have become hallmarks of his game.

When we spoke to his teammates over the summer, every single one of them used the word “calm” to describe Augustine. His pulse is unidentifiable even in the most critical moments, which is so critical in a position that is as much mental as it is physical. What’s different now is that behind that calmness is the most confidence Augustine has ever played with.

And why shouldn’t his confidence be high? He wins. A lot. 

Trey Augustine(2nd round’23) saves the first shootout attempt and tosses the puck back at the opponent. Second shooter misses and Trey celebrates in front of the home crowd. #LGRW pic.twitter.com/W6mSb1IqJt

— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) December 14, 2024

The 2025 World Juniors is going to be a bit of a culmination of sorts. Two years ago, Augustine really staked his claim as a top goalie prospect, making the World Junior team at 17. Now he has a gold medal and an opportunity to do something no other goalie has been able to do by winning back-to-back golds.

The perfect storm seems to be brewing for Augustine, too. He’s playing some of the best hockey of his young career, he has a team in front of him that has a chance to contend and in the end, he’s probably the biggest reason this U.S. team has confidence in their quest to make history.

Whether this team wins gold or doesn’t won’t change Augustine’s trajectory. I think he’s going to be an NHL goaltender and he’s going to have a long career if he stays on this trend line. But if he’s able to grab another gold, the hype in and around the Detroit Red Wings organization is going to be difficult to control.

On top of that, if Augustine wins another gold, there will be no denying him as USA’s all-time great goaltender at the World Juniors. It’s all in front of him right now. 

Team USA World Junior Championship Schedule

Fri., Dec. 21

• USA vs. Slovakia, 7:00 p.m. ET

Mon., Dec. 23

• USA vs. Finland, 4:00 p.m. ET

Thurs., Dec. 26

• USA vs. Germany, 2:30 p.m. ET

Sat., Dec. 28

• USA vs. Latvia, 3:30 p.m. ET

Sun., Dec. 29

• USA vs. Finland, 2:30 p.m. ET

Tues., Dec. 31

• USA vs. Canada, 8:00 p.m. ET

Thurs., Jan. 2

• Quarterfinal & Relegation Games, Times TBD

Sat., Jan. 4

• Semifinal Games, Times TBD

Sun., Jan. 5

• Bronze Medal Game, Time TBD
• Gold Medal Game, Time TBD

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