Top names missing from initial World Junior rosters

Christmas Day marked the deadline for teams to submit their rosters for the 2013 IIHF World Junior Championship, and there were a few surprising names left off the submissions.

Canada listed 12 forwards, leaving top 2013 NHL Draft prospect Jonathan Drouin off the roster for now. Drouin sustained what TSN reported to be a charley horse during practice, leaving his status in doubt for the tournament. The team already is thin up front due to the three-game suspension of Boone Jenner.

With a maximum roster of 23 (20 skaters, three goalies), Canada can add Drouin or a replacement. Getting that player all the way to Ufa, Russia, however, will take time, so it's likely Canada will have to play at least one game with 11 forwards if Drouin is unavailable for Wednesday's opener against Germany, or move a defenseman to forward.

Left off the United States roster were defensemen Matthew Grzelcyk and Patrick Sieloff, as the team listed six blueliners. Among that group was Connor Murphy, who sustained a neck injury when he was hit by a puck during an exhibition game last week. However, with 19 total skaters submitted -- one below the maximum -- they can add one player.

Missing from Latvia's roster is forward Zemgus Girgensons. The Buffalo Sabres' 2012 first-round pick will remain with the Rochester Americans in the American Hockey League. Girgensons tied for the team lead at last year's tournament with two goals and would have been Latvia's best player this year.

Sweden's initial roster is missing defenseman Hampus Lindholm, who is injured and his status for the tournament is in question. Sweden coach Roger Ronnberg told reporters in Russia that Lindholm will miss the tournament opener for the defending champions, Wednesday against the Czech Republic, and will be evaluated from there.

If Lindholm, the Anaheim Ducks' 2012 first-round pick, is unable to play, it's likely defenseman Robert Hagg would be added in his place. Hagg, a 6-foot-2.25, 204-pound blueliner, is No. 4 on NHL Central Scouting's preliminary ranking of Swedish skaters for this year's draft.

Contact Adam Kimelman at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter: @NHLAdamK