USA Hockey sets junior evaluation camp rosters

Center Auston Matthews and left wing Matthew Tkachuk, each projected to be selected top-five in the 2016 NHL Draft, will be representing Team White when the United States holds its national junior evaluation camp in Lake Placid, N.Y., from Aug. 1-8.

USA Hockey announced the rosters for Team White and Team Blue for the opening three days of practices and scrimmages against Finland and Sweden. The 39 invitees will be auditioning for spots on the team that will represent the country at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship in Helsinki, Finland, from Dec. 26, 2015-Jan. 5, 2016.

The white roster also features six first-round draft choices, including defenseman Zach Werenski (Columbus Blue Jackets, 2015) and forwards Brock Boeser (Vancouver Canucks, 2015), Dylan Larkin (Detroit Red Wings, 2014), Sonny Milano (Columbus Blue Jackets, 2014), Jack Roslovic (Winnipeg Jets, 2015) and Nick Schmaltz (Chicago Blackhawks, 2014).

The blue roster features four first-round picks, including defenseman Noah Hanifin (Carolina Hurricanes, 2015), and forwards Kyle Conner (Winnipeg Jets, 2015), Alex Tuch (Minnesota Wild, 2014) and Colin White (Ottawa Senators, 2014).

Ron Wilson, head coach of the U.S. national junior team, will trim the roster to form one team on Aug. 4 that will finish the camp with practices and games against Finland and Sweden. Team Blue will be coached by Chris Chelios and Doug Weight and Team White will be coached by Danton Cole and Kelly Miller.

2015 U.S. National Junior Evaluation Camp

Team Blue

Goaltenders: Brandon Halverson, Sault Ste. Marie, OHL (New York Rangers); Kris Oldham, Omaha, USHL (Tampa Bay Lightning)

Defense: Ryan Collins, University of Minnesota, Big Ten (Columbus Blue Jackets); Jack Dougherty, University of Wisconsin, Big Ten (Nashville Predators); Brandon Fortunato, Boston University, HEA (free agent); Noah Hanifin, Boston College, HEA (Carolina Hurricanes); Joshua Jacobs, Michigan State University, Big Ten (New Jersey Devils); Caleb Jones, USNTDP, USHL (Edmonton Oilers)

Forwards: Paul Bittner, Portland, WHL (Columbus Blue Jackets); Jeremy Bracco, USNTP, USHL (Toronto Maple Leafs); Kyle Connor, Youngstown Phantoms, USHL (Winnipeg Jets); Christian Dvorak, London, OHL (Arizona Coyotes); Christian Fischer, USNTP, USHL (Arizona Coyotes); Erik Foley, Cedar Rapids, USHL (Winnipeg Jets); Jordan Greenway, USNTDP, USHL (Minnesota Wild); Ryan MacInnis, Kitchener, OHL (Arizona Coyotes); Alex Tuch, Boston College, HEA (Minnesota Wild); Dominic Turgeon, Portland, WHL (Detroit Red Wings); Colin White, USNTDP, USHL (Ottawa Senators)

Team White

Goaltenders: Luke Opilka, USNTDP, USHL (St. Louis Blues); Evan Sarthou, USNTDP, USHL (2016 draft eligible)

Defense: Louie Belpedio, Miami University, NCHC (Minnesota Wild); Brandon Carlo, Tri-City, WHL (Boston Bruins); Chad Krys, USNTDP, USHL (2016 eligible); Johnathon Macleod, Boston University, HEA (Tampa Bay Lightning); Charlie McAvoy, USNTDP, USHL (2016 eligible); Jake Walman, Providence College, HEA (St. Louis Blues); Zach Werenski, University of Michigan, Big Ten (Columbus Blue Jackets)

Forwards: Anders Bjork, University of Notre Dame, HEA (Boston Bruins); Brock Boeser, Waterloo, USHL (Vancouver Canucks); Scott Eansor, Seattle, WHL (2016 eligible); Conor Garland, Moncton, QMJHL (Arizona Coyotes); Ryan Hitchcock, Yale University, ECAC (free agent); Dylan Larkin, University of Michigan, Big Ten (Detroit Red Wings); Auston Matthews, USNTDP, USHL (2016 eligible); Sonny Milano, Plymouth, OHL (Columbus Blue Jackets); Jack Roslovic, USNTDP, USHL (Winnipeg Jets); Nick Schmaltz, University of North Dakota, NCHC (Chicago Blackhawks); Matthew Tkachuk, USNTDP, USHL (2016 draft eligible)

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