Four Wolverines Named to World Juniors Preliminary Roster
12/4/2023 12:22:00 PM | Ice Hockey
PLYMOUTH, Mich. -- Four members of the University of Michigan ice hockey team have been named to the USA World Junior Championship preliminary roster, it was announced on Monday (Dec. 4).
Gavin Brindley, Seamus Casey, Rutger McGroarty and Frank Nazar III are part of the 20-man preliminary roster and are set to report to the USA Hockey training camp on Sunday, Dec. 11. The camp will run Dec. 14-16 -- with a final 25-play roster announced at the conclusion of camp on December 17.
The 2024 World Junior Ice Hockey Championship will be held Dec. 26-Jan. 5 in Gothenburg, Sweden. A familiar city to Michigan hockey fans, it's the hometown of former netminder Erik Portillo.
Brindley, McGroarty and Casey won bronze with USA last season. McGroarty had seven points (1-6-7) in seven games, Brindley added one goal and three assists. This will be Nazar's first World Juniors, after sitting out last year due to an injury. Casey, who served as an alternate on the squad last year, is expected to get substantial ice time this season at defense. Dylan Duke and Luke Hughes were both on last year's squad as well, capturing the bronze.
The US has medaled six times in the last eight years -- including gold in 2021 and 2017, silver in 2019, and bronze in 2018 and 2016 and 2023.
In total, Michigan players have earned 24 medals with USA Hockey at the World Juniors since 1980.
