5 things learned on Day 4 of U.S. World Junior selection camp

Monday was the fourth day of USA Hockey select camp that will help determine the final 23-player roster for the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship to be held in Buffalo from Dec. 26-Jan. 5.
COLUMBUS --Right wing Joey Anderson (New Jersey Devils) was all smiles answering questions about being named captain of the United States National Junior Team following practice at Nationwide Arena.

It's the second time in his hockey career Anderson will be a captain and first since playing Pee-Wee hockey in his bantam year. He was an alternate captain for USA Hockey's National Team Development Program under-18 team in 2015-16.
"My staple is going to be work ethic and how we play and go about our business in a very professional manner as a team on a mission," Anderson said. "I want to make sure everyone is comfortable in the locker room. We've got some guys at camp who might not have been members of the NTDP who feel as though they don't have that same connection as everyone else, but that's where I can help to make sure we're as tight a group as we can be, making sure there are no barriers between guys."

There are 15 players among the 28 at camp who did not play for the USNTDP.
Here are five takeaways from selection camp Monday:

Player spotlight

University of Norte Dame defenseman Andrew Peeke is the only player on the camp roster selected by the hometown Columbus Blue Jackets (2016 NHL Draft, No. 34).
Peeke (6-foot-2, 211 pounds), a stay-at-home defenseman, has eight points (goal, seven assists), 38 blocked shots, 25 shots on goal and a plus-12 rating in 20 games for the Irish this season. He's been paired with University of Michigan defenseman Quintin Hughes (2018 NHL Draft eligible) at camp.
"You see the NHL and how it is evolving today; how fast it is with players like Connor McDavid," Peeke said. "You need that foot speed because of how fast the forwards are. You need a quicker release at the point and I need to shoot the puck more."

Highlight of the day

The line of Casey Mittelstadt (Buffalo Sabres), Logan Brown (Ottawa Senators) and Kailer Yamamoto (Edmonton Oilers) remained intact for an entire day for the first time. U.S. coach Bob Motzko said he might continue to test Mittelstadt at center like he did Saturday when he skated between right wing Kieffer Bellows (New York Islanders) and Anderson.

Mittelstadt, Brown and Yamamoto were linemates and helped the United States win the bronze medal at the 2016 IIHF World Under-18 Championship, combining for 34 points (14 goals, 20 assists).

Captivating combination

The line of center Ryan Poehling (Montreal Canadiens) with left wing Brady Tkachuk (2018 NHL Draft eligible) and Anderson was quite effective and forceful during practice. There's plenty of skill, smarts and controlled toughness on that line that could create matchup nightmares for opposing countries. Tkachuk and Anderson have skated together in all but one practice this week.

"Brady is that guy who is in your face and relentless, and he doesn't quit on plays," Anderson said. "He's so strong over pucks. If I'm with him in the tournament, that'll be really cool."

World Junior Championship memory

"The 2004 gold medal in Finland] broke the barrier for USA Hockey and for coach Mike Eaves. [Eaves*

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Quote of the day

"It was a pretty surreal moment when my brother was named captain on Sunday night. When coach Motzko announced that it was Joey I thought of everything we've been through our whole lives. To see the look on his face when he got named captain was priceless. He had that happy look, but there was a little shock, too. I was just like 'Wow.' It's something he's dreamed about for a while and having it happen in front of us was amazing." -- defenseman Michael Anderson (Los Angeles Kings)
Video: Bob Motzko on Team USA's roster and team expectations