Team USA 2023 World Juniors Odds, Roster, Schedule, and Preview
- USA (+333) is among the three favorites to win the World Junior Championship, while Canada is the consensus favorite at +110
- The tournament, featuring the World’s best Under 20 talent, will be held in Halifax, Nova Scotia and Moncton, New Brunswick starting December 26th, 2022
- Here is a look at USA’s roster, schedule and odds, plus a look at some possible fates
The IIHF World Junior Championships started in 1977. USA only won four medals in the first 30 years.
But thanks to America’s dramatic hockey growth, particularly to non-traditional hockey areas such as California, Arizona, etc., USA has become more of a threat at the WJC.
The Americans are considered an increasing threat to win their seventh medal in the past ten years. Three of those have been gold medals. Led by New Jersey Devils first-rounder Luke Hughes and Sean Behrens on defense along with Red Savage up front, USA has the second-best odds to win it all this year in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Team USA 2023 World Junior Roster
| Player/NHL Team | Position | Drafted |
|---|---|---|
| Trey Augustine (Undrafted) | Goalie | 2023 Draft Eligible |
| Kaiden Mbereko (Undrafted) | Goalie | 2023 Draft Eligible |
| Andrew Oake (Undrafted) | Goalie | 2023 Draft Eligible |
| Luke Hughes (New Jersey Devils) | Defenseman | 2021, 4th (1st Round) |
| Sean Behrens (Colorado Avalanche) | Defenseman | 2021, 61st (2nd Round) |
| Seamus Casey (New Jersey Devils) | Defenseman | 2022, 46th (2nd Round) |
| Ryan Chesley (Washington Capitals) | Defenseman | 2022, 37th (2nd Round) |
| Lane Hutson (Montreal Canadiens) | Defenseman | 2022, 62nd (2nd Round) |
| Luke Mittelstadt (Undrafted) | Defenseman | 2023 Draft Eligible |
| Jack Peart (New York Rangers) | Defenseman | 2021, 54th (2nd Round) |
| Ryan Ufko (Nashville Predators) | Defenseman | 2021, 115th (4th Round) |
| Jackson Blake (Carolina Hurricanes) | Forward | 2021, 109th (4th Round) |
| Tyler Boucher (Ottawa Senators) | Forward | 2021, 10th (1st Round) |
| Gavin Brindley (Undrafted) | Forward | 2023 Draft Eligible |
| Kenny Connors (Los Angeles Kings) | Forward | 2022, 103rd (4th Round) |
| Logan Cooley (Arizona Coyotes) | Forward | 2022, 3rd (1st Round) |
| Dylan Duke (Tampa Bay Lightning) | Forward | 2021, 126th (4th Round) |
| Cutter Gauthier (Philadelphia Flyers) | Forward | 2022, 5th (1st Round) |
| Noah Laba (New York Rangers) | Forward | 2022, 111th (4th Round) |
| Sam Lipkin (Arizona Coyotes) | Forward | 2021, 233rd (7th Round) |
| Chaz Lucius (Winnipeg Jets) | Forward | 2021, 14th (1st Round) |
| Rutger McCroarty (Winnipeg Jets) | Forward | 2022, 18th (1st Round) |
| Red Savage (Detroit Red Wings) | Forward | 2021, 114th (4th Round) |
| Jimmy Snuggerud (St, Louis Blues) | Forward | 2022, 23rd (1st Round) |
| Charlie Stramel (Undrafted) | Forward | 2023 Draft Eligible |
Americans Boast Solid Chance to Win Gold
With a first-round NHL pick on defense and six more up front, USA has a roster that can compete against any team in the tournament.
Scoring 20 goals and 57 points in his first 61 college games at Michigan, Luke Hughes is expected to be a dynamic force in the tournament. Sean Behrens was an anchor for Denver on defense as they won the NCAA National Championship last year. Red Savage helps lead the way up front with Chaz Lucius and Tyler Boucher just a few to keep an eye on.
The bigger thing is the experience of Luke Hughes. This is his third appearance on the world stage in the past seven months for the Americans. He had a goal and five assists in five games for the Americans in the 2022 tournament.
NEW Podcast: It's the Talking Hockey Sense 2023 World Junior Championship Preview Special. A team-by-team breakdown with special focus on USA and Canada, plus I answer your burning WJC questions. Watch here or download on your podcast app of choice: https://t.co/aB9tkI7xEM
— Chris Peters (@chrismpeters) December 19, 2022
Logan Cooley is tearing it up at Minnesota with 25 points (ten goals) in 19 games. His ability to shoot the puck cannot be underestimated. Chaz Lucius has enjoyed some chemistry with Lucius and has 19 points in 24 games for the Golden Gophers. Rand Pecknold (Team USA Head Coach) has a more balanced squad with only one real question mark — goaltending.
Team USA 2023 World Juniors Schedule
| Date | Game | Venue | Start Time (ET) | Broadcast Networks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12/26/2022 | USA vs Latvia | Moncton, NB | 2:30 PM | NHL Network |
| 12/28/2022 | USA vs Slovakia | Moncton, NB | 4:00 PM | NHL Network |
| 12/29/2022 | USA vs Switzerland | Moncton, NB | 4:00 PM | NHL Network |
| 12/31/2022 | USA vs Finland | Moncton, NB | 4:00 PM | NHL Network |
The only real stumbling block in the group is Finland, and there is belief that the Americans are in good position. Finland did keep up with the Americans early in their pre-tournament game. However, the USA showed their depth and balance as Ryan Ufko and Charlie Stramel had a goal and assist each in a three-goal win.
2023 IIHF World Junior Championship Odds
| Country | Odds |
|---|---|
| Canada | +110 |
| USA | +333 |
| Finland | +425 |
| Sweden | +500 |
| Czechia | +1600 |
| Slovakia | +4000 |
| Switzerland | +6600 |
| Germany | +10000 |
| Latvia | +25000 |
| Austria | +50000 |
All odds as of Dec. 21 at DraftKings Sportsbook. Unlock the DraftKings promo code for the World Juniors.
There are few surprises here as Canada is the favorite with the Americans and Finns battling for second in the early odds to win the tournament outright. After Sweden, the talent in this tournament drops off a good deal.
USA Nice Value Bet To Win Gold
Given the offensive and defensive talent, USA (+333) might give you the best value for a gold medal bet. Canada (+110) is trying to repeat and these tournaments are never easy. The Canadians always deserve to be the favorite. However, this American team is built for success.
WJC: @usahockey built for success at World Juniors, GM John Vanbiesbrouck explains and talks Luke Hughes, Connor Bedard, in exclusive Q&A with @NHLdotcom — https://t.co/LjE3iVssxX @USAHockeyNTDP
— Mike Morreale (@mikemorrealeNHL) December 20, 2022
Canada offers you some security with a bet, but the Americans offer the chance for a larger payoff. The Americans like odd years as they have won in 2013, 2017, and 2021 while netting silver in 2019.
The key for the Americans is winning Group B and avoiding Canada until the final. With Connor Bedard and Shane Wright, the Canadians are stacked, but do not underestimate the Americans’ balance and leadership.
2023 IIHF World Junior Championship Group B Odds
| Country | Odds |
|---|---|
| Finland | -106 |
| USA | +102 |
| Slovakia | +1250 |
| Switzerland | +2200 |
| Latvia | +6250 |
Finland Favored Over USA to Win B Pool
So, Finland is a slight favorite, but most pundits might lean to the USA based on the rosters. The Americans do have difficulty with teams like the Finns at the WJC. However, they defeated Finland easily on Monday in a pre-tournament game by a score of 5-2. There were 11 different players who scored a point and Trey Augustine overcame a sluggish start to make 19 saves.
One reality is that this pool is Finland and the USA combined with little else to disrupt both countries.
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A journalist veteran for over two decades, Chris has taught the gamut of fantasy hockey sports online from injuries to news to prospects, and more. He has bet on several sports and written sports betting articles about the NBA, MLB, NCAA football, the NFL, and NHL for USA Today.
