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Defense
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Defense
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Three Gophers Named to U.S. WJC Preliminary Roster
11/30/2020 2:09:00 PM | Men's Hockey
MINNEAPOLIS – A trio of Gopher Hockey defenseman are among 29 players named to USA Hockey's preliminary 2021 U.S. National Junior Team roster, the organization announced on Monday afternoon.
Sophomores Jackson LaCombe and Ryan Johnson along with freshman Brock Faber will represent the Maroon & Gold at training camp at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Mich., starting Dec. 6. The final U.S. roster will be announced on Dec. 13 ahead of the 2021 World Junior Championship in Edmonton, Alberta (Dec. 25-Jan. 5).
Gopher Hockey has a proud history at the IIHF World Junior Championship with the University of Minnesota being represented at 41 of the previous 44 events dating back to the inaugural tournament in 1977.
A native of Eden Prairie, Minn., LaCombe has one assist and 10 blocked shots in four games for the Maroon & Gold, bringing his career total to 14 points (three goals, 11 assists) in 41 games. The defenseman was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team with 13 points (three goals, 10 assists) in his first season with the University of Minnesota. He led all Big Ten freshmen defensemen with 61 blocks and finished second among the group in scoring for the season. The Anaheim Ducks selected LaCombe in the second round (39th overall) of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.
A native of Irvine, Calif., Johnson has three assists and eight blocked shots in four games so far this year for a career total of 11 assists in 41 games. The defenseman picked up eight assists in his first campaign with the Maroon & Gold, tying for third among Big Ten rookie defensemen while his 57 blocked shots were second only to LaCombe among conference rookies. The Buffalo Sabres selected Johnson in the first round (31st overall) of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.
A native of Maple Grove, Minn., Faber has one goal land seven blocked shots through four games of his freshman season with Minnesota. A product of the USA Hockey National Team Development Program, the defenseman was selected 45th overall (second round) by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.
NHL Network is the exclusive home of the IIHF World Junior Championship and will televise every Team USA game, in addition to a full slate of preliminary round, quarterfinal, semifinal and medal round games.
Sophomores Jackson LaCombe and Ryan Johnson along with freshman Brock Faber will represent the Maroon & Gold at training camp at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Mich., starting Dec. 6. The final U.S. roster will be announced on Dec. 13 ahead of the 2021 World Junior Championship in Edmonton, Alberta (Dec. 25-Jan. 5).
Gopher Hockey has a proud history at the IIHF World Junior Championship with the University of Minnesota being represented at 41 of the previous 44 events dating back to the inaugural tournament in 1977.
A native of Eden Prairie, Minn., LaCombe has one assist and 10 blocked shots in four games for the Maroon & Gold, bringing his career total to 14 points (three goals, 11 assists) in 41 games. The defenseman was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team with 13 points (three goals, 10 assists) in his first season with the University of Minnesota. He led all Big Ten freshmen defensemen with 61 blocks and finished second among the group in scoring for the season. The Anaheim Ducks selected LaCombe in the second round (39th overall) of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.
A native of Irvine, Calif., Johnson has three assists and eight blocked shots in four games so far this year for a career total of 11 assists in 41 games. The defenseman picked up eight assists in his first campaign with the Maroon & Gold, tying for third among Big Ten rookie defensemen while his 57 blocked shots were second only to LaCombe among conference rookies. The Buffalo Sabres selected Johnson in the first round (31st overall) of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.
A native of Maple Grove, Minn., Faber has one goal land seven blocked shots through four games of his freshman season with Minnesota. A product of the USA Hockey National Team Development Program, the defenseman was selected 45th overall (second round) by the Los Angeles Kings in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft.
NHL Network is the exclusive home of the IIHF World Junior Championship and will televise every Team USA game, in addition to a full slate of preliminary round, quarterfinal, semifinal and medal round games.
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