Cooley, Stramel look to aid in Team USA bounce-back at World Juniors

Team USA will look to bounce back from a disappointing result in 2022 at the 2023 World Juniors led by Arizona Coyotes prospect Logan Cooley and 2023 NHL Draft eligible Charlie Stramel.

The Americans had a solid preliminary round in the rescheduled 2022 summer version of the World Juniors, topping Group B with an unblemished 4-0 record and a plus-18 goal differential. Drawing Czechia in the quarterfinals, Team USA was upset 4-2 as they departed without a chance at medaling.

Returning from the 2022 team, former top-five picks in the NHL Draft Cooley and Luke Hughes (New Jersey Devils), will need to be x-factors if the Americans are to contend for gold once again. 

In his first season at the University of Minnesota, Cooley has been one of the most impressive players for the Golden Gophers. In an NCAA season dominated by freshmen, Cooley has compiled 25 points (10 goals, 15 assists) in his first 19 games — good enough for sixth in the nation. Playing at the University of Michigan, Hughes will be the backbone of the USA blue line. He has plenty of international experience playing with the team in last year’s tournament and representing the stars and stripes with the US National Team Development Program.

Hughes, who has 18 points (three goals, 15 assists) in 20 games in the NCAA this year, led Team USA defensemen in scoring at the 2022 World Juniors with six points (one goal, five assists). 

As a potential top-10 selection in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, Will Smith was cut from Team USA at camp earlier this month. Stramel, a University of Wisconsin freshman, will be looked upon to boost the team’s offensive play in his place.

Stramel, No. 13 in FCHockey’s Preliminary ranking for the 2023 draft, was a member of the silver medal-winning squad last year at the U18 World Under-18s. Stramel put up five points (two goals, three assists) in six games for the Americans as one of the youngest players on the roster. 

The 18-year-old — the youngest position player on this year’s World Juniors roster — will still be the biggest player (size-wise) for the US. At 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds, Stramel could be fighting for ice time on a loaded roster, but could take advantage of his size to earn hard fought minutes.

Here’s a look at the full roster to represent Team USA at the 2023 World Junior Championship:

Forwards

Jackson Blake, North Dakota NCAA (Carolina Hurricanes); Tyler Boucher, Ottawa, OHL (Ottawa Senators); Gavin Brindley, Michigan, NCAA (2023 NHL Draft); Kenny Connors, Massachusetts, NCAA (Los Angeles Kings); Logan Cooley, Minnesota, NCAA (Arizona Coyotes); Dylan Duke, Michigan, NCAA (Tampa Bay Lightning); Cutter Gauthier, Boston College, NCAA (Philadelphia Flyers); Noah Laba, Colorado College, NCAA (New York Rangers); Samuel Lipkin, Quinnipiac, NCAA (Arizona Coyotes); Chaz Lucius, Manitoba, AHL (Winnipeg Jets); Rutger McGroarty, Michigan, NCAA (Winnipeg Jets); Redmond Savage, Miami University, NCAA (Detroit Red Wings); Jimmy Snuggerud, Minnesota, NCAA (St. Louis Blues); Charlie Stramel, Wisconsin, NCAA (2023 NHL Draft) 

Defensemen

Sean Behrens, Denver, NCAA (Colorado Avalanche); Seamus Casey, Michigan, NCAA (New Jersey Devils); Ryan Chesley, Minnesota, NCAA (Washington Capitals); Luke Hughes, Michigan, NCAA (New Jersey Devils); Lane Hutson, Boston University, NCAA (Montreal Canadiens); Luke Mittelstadt, Minnesota, NCAA (undrafted); Jack Peart, St. Cloud State, NCAA (Minnesota Wild); Ryan Ufko, Massachusetts, NCAA (Nashville Predators)

Goalies

Trey Augustine, USA U-18, NTDP (2023 NHL Draft); Kaidan Mbereko, Colorado College, NCAA (undrafted); Andrew Oke, Saginaw, OHL (2023 NHL Draft)