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Smith is in the lead for the United States’ 2024 World Junior Championship selection camp roster. PLYMOUTH, Michigan. The San Jose Sharks choose Will Smith, a forward, with the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft.
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Smith will be one of ten first-round picks in the NHL seeking to impress when USA Hockey holds selection camp to decide who will play in the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship.
16 forwards, 10 defenders, and three goalies are part of the camp, which takes place at USA Hockey Arena from Thursday through Saturday.
This team has some excellent players, and our goal is to position them for success and to try and possess the puck frequently through our ability to pressure pucks, create turnovers, and defend.
The United States will travel to Sweden on December 18 and will play pre-tournament matches against Canada at Kungsbacka Ishall in Kungsbacka, Sweden on December 23, and against Sweden at Catena Arena in Angelholm, Sweden on December 21.
To even reach this position, Carle argued, required making many difficult choices. Considering all the attention that the front group receives, I believe that the defense is probably stronger than people realize.
We have faith in their abilities to participate in our offensive, transition pucks fast and well, and defend against rushes.
In 2023, the United States secured their 14th medal and seventh third-place result in the Scotiabank Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia, defeating Sweden 8–7 in overtime to claim the bronze medal.
It will compete against Czechia, Slovakia, Switzerland, and Norway in Group B at Frolundaborg in Gothenburg during the preliminary round. It plays Norway in their first tournament match on December 26.
Canada will compete in Group A at the Scandinavium in Gothenburg alongside Sweden, Finland, Germany, and Latvia. Canada won the 2023 World Junior title by defeating Czechia 3–2 in overtime in the title game in Halifax. On December 26, it is scheduled to meet Finland in its inaugural tournament match.
The World Junior Championship is coming to Sweden for the first time since Malmo in 2014, and it’s happening at a crucial moment.
In the most recent IIHF men’s hockey rankings, Sweden dropped from second place in 2018 to sixth place, reflecting the country’s general struggles on the international scene.
There’s greater hope this time around, though it’s a far cry from their supremacy that saw them win a medal in at least one event nearly every year for much of the 2000s and 2010s. Despite being defeated by the United States twice in a row, the Swedes did win silver at the last two U-18 World Championships.
At this tournament, the Swedes hardly ever have elite goaltending, but it’s also never truly a problem. They ought to be alright with whoever they go with. The best guess is that Hugo Hävelid — the brother of defenseman Mattias Hävelid and coach Magnus Hävelid — will get the go-ahead after a great summer showing. The 5-foot-11 keeper hasn’t been drafted yet, but he has always performed well with Sweden in junior action.
Whether it be the WJSS, or the exhibition Five Nations tournament in November, Havelid hasn’t had a bad game with the Tre Kronor on his chest in 2023–24.