WJC: Lane Hutson named assistant captain for the Americans

We know that Lane Hutson will play an important role at the World Junior Championship with the United States. With a talent like Lane’s on the ice, it can’t be any other way, can it?

But the question we were also asking ourselves was whether his role would also be that of a leader of men for his team.

And clearly, he will. And why? Because the American team has just announced that the Canadiens prospect will wear an A on his jersey for the tournament, which begins in six days’ time.

Introducing Team USA’s 2024 #WorldJuniors leadership group!

Details → https://t.co/OmgqpIFWIp pic.twitter.com/6Oy1hK8wQK

– USA Hockey (@usahockey) December 20, 2023

Rutger McGroarty has been named captain of the United States. Hutson, Cutter Gauthier, Gavin Brindley and Ryan Chesley, meanwhile, will be assistants for the next few weeks.

These are five players who were with Team USA last year.

But hey. Hutson, who also has an A on his jersey at university, will have to make sure he delivers the goods on the ice. But why? Because the USA have the club to wreak havoc in the tournament.

According to Coolbet Canada, the Americans are the tournament favourites.

Updated Odds to Win the IIHF #WorldJuniors

USA +220
Sweden +250
Canada +255
Finland +520
Czechia +1600
Slovakia +5000
Switzerland +7000
Germany +10000
Norway +50000
Latvia +50000https://t.co/Z40nxZhqJT pic.twitter.com/bUth4PveYg

– Coolbet Canada (@CoolbetCanada) December 18, 2023

The good news is that the USA is not in the Canadian group. Canada is with Sweden, Finland, Germany and Latvia.

In Group B, the USA are with the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Switzerland and Norway.

Canada won’t be taking its opponents lightly (especially Sweden), but the aim of the game is to prepare for a future duel with the Americans.

And as we can see, Canada is not as experienced as its opponents to the south.

opens pre-tournament play against a U25 team in 15 minutes. Check out the lineup.

opens pre-tournament play against a M25 team in 15 min. Check out the lineup.

https://t.co/UFI3QX9QEZ
https://t.co/mvrjHBoIO3#WorldJuniors | #MondialJunior pic.twitter.com/tPjglKiSat

– Field hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) December 19, 2023

Owen Beck, who is the only returning player from last year’s edition and who was notably employed on a fourth trio on the sidelines of yesterday’s exhibition game, will have to take matters into his own hands in particular.

Will he get a letter? That remains to be seen.

In gusto

– Happy birthday, Andrei Markov.

– Reminder: the transaction freeze is in effect.

– When will it all end?

– Ah, the Sens…

– Wow!