Defenseman Michael Downing, a Florida Panthers prospect, was released from the United States National Junior team on Monday.
Downing, a 6-foot-3, 192-pound defender, has three goals and seven points in 15 games for the University of Michigan.
The cut leaves the U.S. with 26 players currently in camp for the 2015 IIHF World Junior Championship, including eight defensemen. The final 23-man roster must be submitted by Dec. 25.
The United States begins play at the WJC on Dec. 26 against Finland (3 p.m. ET, NHLN-US) at Bell Centre in Montreal.
U.S. NATIONAL JUNIOR TEAM ROSTER
GOALIES: *Thatcher Demko, Boston College, H-EAST (Vancouver Canucks); Brandon Halverson, Sault Ste. Marie, OHL (New York Rangers); Alex Nedeljkovic, Plymouth, OHL (Carolina Hurricanes)
DEFENSEMEN: *Will Butcher, University of Denver, NCHC (Colorado Avalanche); Brandon Carlo, Tri-City, WHL (2015 draft eligible); Ryan Collins, University of Minnesota, BIG 10 (Columbus Blue Jackets); Anthony DeAngelo, Sarnia, OHL (Tampa Bay Lightning); Noah Hanifin, Boston College, H-EAST (2015 draft eligible); *Ian McCoshen, Boston College, H-EAST (Florida Panthers); *Steven Santini, Boston College, H-EAST (New Jersey Devils); Zach Werenski, University of Michigan, BIG 10 (2015 draft eligible)
FORWARDS: Jeremy Bracco, USA U-18, USHL (2015 draft eligible); J.T. Compher, University of Michigan, BIG 10 (Buffalo Sabres); Cole Cassels, Oshawa, OHL (Vancouver Canucks); Chase De Leo, Portland, WHL (Winnipeg Jets); *Jack Eichel, Boston University, H-EAST (2015 draft eligible); Hudson Fasching, University of Minnesota, BIG 10 (Buffalo Sabres); John Hayden, Yale University, ECAC (Chicago Blackhawks); Dylan Larkin, University of Michigan, BIG 10 (Detroit Red Wings); Anthony Louis, Miami University, NCHC (Chicago Blackhawks); Auston Matthews, USA U-18, USHL (2016 draft eligible); Sonny Milano, Plymouth, OHL (Columbus Blue Jackets); Tyler Motte, University of Michigan, BIG 10 (Chicago Blackhawks); Nick Schmaltz, University of North Dakota, NCHC (Chicago Blackhawks); Alex Tuch, Boston College, H-EAST (Minnesota Wild); Miles Wood, Noble & Greenough School, HS-MA (New Jersey Devils)
*- Returning player
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