Forward Kieffer Bellows, a top prospect for the 2016 NHL Draft, was one of three players cut from the U.S. roster for the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship, USA Hockey announced Saturday.
Bellows, a 6-foot, 196-pound left wing, leads USA Hockey's National Team Development Program Under-18 team with 24 goals in 27 games and is second with 40 points. He received an A rating from NHL Central Scouting in its November players to watch list.
Also released from the team were two other 2016 draft prospects, goaltender Tyler Parsons and defenseman Casey Fitzgerald.
Parsons, who plays for London in the Ontario Hockey League, ranks among the top five in the OHL in wins (19, second), goals-against average (2.46, fourth) and save percentage (.917, fourth). He has a B rating on the November players to watch list.