Lucius, Behrens lead USA’s U18 roster

Chaz Lucius, a top forward for the 2021 NHL Draft, was among 25 players announced by USA Hockey to the American Under-18 Team for the 2021 IIHF World Under-18 Championship

The tournament runs from April 26 to May 6 in Frisco and Plano, Texas.

Lucius missed the start of the season due to injury but has been proving why he’s a top player in this draft since his return to the United States National Team Development Program with 18 points (13 goals, five assists) in 12 USHL games. The centerman was ranked No. 15 in FCHockey’s Winter ranking for the 2021 NHL Draft.

Sean Behrens joins Lucius on the back end as the team’s top defenseman with Luke Hughes being left off the roster due to injury. Behrens, No. 45 in FCHockey’s ranking, has played in 39 games this season with the National U18 Team, racking up 31 points (six goals, 25 assists).

In total, six players from FCHockey’s top-100 have cracked Team USA’s roster, including Lucius, Behrens, Sasha Pastujov (50), Dylan Duke (51), Aidan Hreschuk (85), and Red Savage (95). The roster also includes a number of 2022 NHL Draft-eligibles that could be high draft picks, including Rutger McGroarty, Isaac Howard, Jack Devine, and Jack Hughes.

Roster

Goaltenders: Braden Holt, Gibson Homer, Kaiden Mbereko

Defensemen: Sean Behrens, Ty Gallagher, Aidan Hreschuk, Lane Hutson, Jacob Martin, Ty Murchison, Roman Schmidt, Ethan Straky

Forwards: Logan Cooley, Jack Devine, Dylan Duke, Andre Gasseau, Liam Gilmartin, Jack Hughes, Isaac Howard, Justin Janicke, Chaz Lucius, Rutger McGroarty, Sasha Pastujov, Red Savage, Charlie Stramel, Ryan St. Louis