USA adds five more players to world championship roster

Team USA is injecting some youth into its world championship roster.

Brett Berard, Josh Doan, Isaac Howard, Cole Hutson, and Will Smith will join the team, which now has 23 players.

Berard, 22, made his first appearance in the NHL this season with the New York Rangers, recording 10 goals in 35 games while adding 23 points in 30 games in the AHL with the Hartford Wolf Pack. Berard was selected in the fifth round of the 2020 NHL Draft by the Rangers.

Doan, 23, played in 51 games with the Utah Hockey Club, scoring seven goals and 19 points while also scoring 26 points in 28 games in the AHL with Tucson. Doan was selected by the Arizona Coyotes in the second round of the 2021 NHL Draft.

Howard, 21, had 52 points this season in the NCAA with Michigan State. The Hobey Baker finalist is expected to return for his senior year instead of signing with the Tampa Bay Lightning, who selected him 31st overall in 2022, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported.

Hutson, 18, led all NCAA freshmen in points (48) and assists (34) and led all defencemen in points. The Boston University defender was selected by the Washington Capitals in the second round of the 2024 NHL Draft.

Smith, 20, scored 18 goals and 45 points in his rookie season with the San Jose Sharks. The fourth overall pick from the 2023 NHL Draft played for the USA at last year’s world championships.

San Jose Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky will be the bench boss for the team that will compete in Group B against Czechia, Switzerland, Germany, Denmark, Norway, Kazakhstan and Hungary. 

The tournament opens on May 9 in Denmark.