There were no major surprises Tuesday morning when USA Hockey announced the names of 29 players who are being invited to it's pre-tournament camp.Like the headline says, Wisconsin defenseman John Ramage, who was projected as a lock, was named to the preliminary roster. The "lock" status for John Ramage comes a year after he was a shocking selection by Dean Blais and company for last seasons USA World Junior Championship squad.
Last year Ramage wasn't even invited to the USA Hockey summer evaluation camp but at the urging of former Badger assistant coach Mark Osiecki, was added to the roster. Ramage would go on to play a phenomenal tournament en route to a gold medal for the United States.
The 29 players invited by USA hockey will go up to New York from December 17-23 and play in some exhibition contests. The roster will be narrowed down from 29 to 22 prior to the teams final exhibition contest against Norway.
This years World Junior Championship is being held in Buffalo, NY and will run from December 26th through January 5th.
Ramage is only expected to miss one weekend of games for the Badgers. Unlike in the past, where key players have missed key WCHA series, this year Ramage will only be gone for the home series against UMass over New Years thanks to a 2 weekend scheduling break after this weekends home series vs Bemidji State.
Former Wisconsin defenseman and assistant coach Mark Osiecki will be an assistant for the second year in a row for team USA. Also former Badger Jim Johannson will once again serve as General Manager for the US squad.
Preliminary Roster
Goalies
Jack Campbell-Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
Andy Isles-Cornell
Defense
Adam Clendening-Boston University
Brian Dumoulin-Boston College
Justin Faulk-Minnesota-Duluth
John Ramage-Wisconsin
Nick Leddy-Rockford IceHogs (AHL)
Derek Forbort-North Dakota
Jon Merril-Michigan
Jamie Oleksiak-Northeastern
Philip Samuelsson-Boston College
Patrick Wey-Boston College
Forwards
Nick Bjugstad-Minnesota
Ryan Bourque-Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)
Connor Brickley-Vermont
Chris Brown-Michigan
Mitch Callahan-Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
Charlie Coyle-Boston University
Jerry D'Amigo-Toronto Marlies (AHL)
Emerson Etem-Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
Rocco Grimaldi-USA NTDP U18
Chris Kreider-Boston College
Jeremy Morin-Rockford IceHogs (AHL)
Brock Nelson-North Dakota
Matt Neito-Boston University
Kyle Palmieri-Syracuse Crunch (AHL)
Brandon Saad-Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
Drew Shore-Denver
Jason Zucker-Denver
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