Moore among four cut from U.S. World Junior team

Columbus Blue Jackets first-round pick John Moore was one of four players cut from the U.S. roster for the 2010 World Junior Championship.

Moore, a defenseman taken with the No. 21 pick at the 2009 Entry Draft, was returned to his junior team, the OHL's Kitchener Rangers. Also sent home was defenseman Justin Faulk, and forwards Vinny Saponari and David Wohlberg.

The cuts come one day after the U.S. junior team beat the University of North Dakota in an exhibition game, 4-2.

"We took a good first step over the last three days, and I was extremely pleased with our effort last night," said U.S. coach Dean Blais. "Even though our roster will still change a bit, we can really begin preparing for the tournament over the next few days."

The final roster of 22 players will be revealed Wednesday.

Moore, in his first season with the Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League, has 3 goals and 20 points in 30 games.

Saponari, a native of Powder Springs, Ga., was taken by the Atlanta Thrashers in the fourth round of the 2008. The 6-foot, 179-pound right wing has 3 goals and 10 points in 16 games at Boston University.

Wohlberg was taken in the sixth round of the 2008 Entry Draft by the New Jersey Devils. In 18 games at the University of Michigan, he has 2 goals and 9 points.

Faulk, who is eligible for the 2010 Entry Draft, plays for the U.S. National Team Development Program Under-18 team. He was the fourth-ranked skater in the USHL in NHL Central Scouting's preliminary rankings.

The 2010 WJC runs Dec. 26-Jan. 5 in Saskatoon and Regina, Sask. The U.S. will play its first game Dec. 26 against Slovakia (8 p.m., NHLN-US).

Contact Adam Kimelman at [email protected].