After winning it all in 2017, America's young representatives won't find satisfaction with repeating as bronze medalists, trouncing the Czech Republic 9-3 in the third-place game a year ago. While oddsmakers deem the host Canadian crew the early favorite for gold at the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship in Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia, Team USA ranks a close second. And with good reason.
Enviable depth down the middle -- including top draft prospect Jack Hughes -- an experienced and gifted defensive corps and a rich wealth of options in net present new coach Mike Hastings with an admirable set of tools.