Five Michigan natives invited to U.S. World Juniors evaluation camp

 

By @MichaelCaples –

Today, USA Hockey announced the 39 players invited to their World Juniors evaluation camp, held in Lake Placid.

Five Michigan natives were invited – Brandon Halverson, Josh Jacobs, Zach Werenski, Kyle Connor and Dylan Larkin.

Halverson (Traverse City), Werenski (Grosse Pointe) and Larkin (Waterford) were all on the 2015 World Junior roster, and all are expected to serve prominent roles once again if they are made available by their respective clubs.

Meanwhile, Connor (Shelby Township) was a 2014 evaluation camp invitee, and now he has another shot at making the World Junior team. A ’96 birth-year player, he is now one of the older players at the camp, which should benefit him moving forward.

The 2015 camp will mark Jacobs’ (Shelby Township) first appearance.

Ron Wilson will be serving as the head coach for the 2016 World Juniors squad, while he will be joined by Chris Chelios and Danton Cole on the bench. Michigan natives Kelly Miller (MSU) and Doug Weight (New York Islanders) are serving as guest coaches at the evaluation camp.

The camp runs from Aug. 1-8 in New York.

 

Goaltenders

Brandon Halverson – Traverse City, Mich. – Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)

Defensemen

Josh Jacobs – Shelby Township, Mich. – Sarnia Sting (OHL)

Zach Werenski – Grosse Pointe, Mich. – University of Michigan (B1G)

Forwards

Kyle Connor – Shelby Township, Mich. – Youngstown Phantoms (USHL), University of Michigan commit (B1G)

Dylan Larkin – Waterford, Mich. – Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL)

 

Other players with Michigan connections invited include Detroit Red Wings draft pick Dominic Turgeon, Plymouth Whalers alum Sonny Milano and a collection of NTDP products including Jack Eichel, Auston Matthews and Noah Hanifin.