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Team USA 2023 World Juniors Odds, Roster, Schedule, and Preview

Chris Wassel

By Chris Wassel in News

Published:


Michigan defenseman Luke Hughes looks to pass the puck
Michigan defenseman Luke Hughes (43) looks to pass against Denver during the first period of the Frozen Four semifinal at the TD Garden in Boston, Mass. on Thursday., April 7, 2022.
  • 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
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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.

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.

 

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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.

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.

 

Chris Wassel
Chris Wassel

Sports Writer

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.

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