5 things learned from U.S. World Junior selection camp

Sunday was the third 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 Joseph Anderson of the University of Minnesota Duluth was named captain of the United States National Junior Team on Sunday.

RELATED: [Mittelstadt could have extra home-ice edge at World Juniors | United States opens World Junior camp]
Anderson, selected in the third round (No. 73) of the 2016 NHL Draft by the New Jersey Devils, is one of seven returning players at camp this week.
Anderson had 37 points (12 goals, 25 assists) and a plus-11 rating in 39 games as a freshman at Minnesota Duluth and has nine points (four goals, five assists) and a plus-5 rating in 13 games this season. He played alongside Arizona Coyotes forward Clayton Keller and Colin White (Ottawa Senators) for the gold medal-winning U.S. at the 2017 WJC.
"I said it last year, and I'll say it again ... I wish I could steal [Anderson]," said U.S. coach Bob Motzko, who coaches at St. Cloud State University. "He can kill penalties, play on the power play, and he plays so hard. You can put him in any situation and he'll accept anything you throw at him."
The alternate captains will be determined at a later date.
Here are five takeaways from selection camp on Sunday:

Player spotlight

Logan Brown (Ottawa Senators), a late cut from the gold medal-winning U.S. National Junior Team at the 2017 WJC, appears determined as ever to not only make the roster but have a significant impact as the No. 1 center. Brown played four games for the Senators to begin the season before being returned to Windsor of the Ontario Hockey League, where he has 24 points (13 goals, 11 assists) in 15 games.
"Getting cut right before the tournament started last year was tough and left a lot of fire in my belly," Brown said. "I definitely held on to that entering camp this week and I don't want that feeling again. I'm going to stick to it and stay resilient."

Highlight of the day

The players had two surprise guest speakers via FaceTime during a meeting on Sunday -- Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy and Minnesota Wild forward prospect Luke Kunin.
Kunin served as captain and McAvoy an alternate captain for the 2017 U.S. National Junior Team.
"There are several reasons why we want to bring in McAvoy and Kunin," said recently retired U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Sean Braziel, who is serving as a performance coach for the United States. "They were in the same position only 12 months ago and now they're playing in the NHL, or in Kunin's case, the American Hockey League, so to me this is an opportunity for this year's team to actually see the impact that one week can make in their lives."

Steady on defense

The defense pairing of Quintin Hughes (2018 NHL Draft eligible) and Andrew Peeke (Columbus Blue Jackets) has been impressive. Hughes' speed and puck skills have meshed with the strength and consistency of Peeke (6-foot-2, 211 pounds).
"[Hughes] has amazing skills and you can tell he's an offensive defenseman," Peeke said. "We complement each other well because I know that even though he's offensive, he's able to get back with his speed and he'll be able to back me up."

Getting offensive

The top two offensive line combinations during the first scrimmage of camp had center Casey Mittelstadt (Buffalo Sabres) with left wing Kieffer Bellows (New York Islanders) and Joey Anderson (New Jersey Devils), and Brown with left wing Brady Tkachuk (2018 NHL Draft eligible) and right wing Kailer Yamamoto (Edmonton Oilers).
"[Mittelstadt] can play anywhere; he's effective on wing and down the middle," U.S. coach Bob Motzko said. "It's how everything falls around him from both from an offensive and defensive side. Those are the puzzle pieces we're putting together."

Quote of the day

"It's nice being paired with Adam Fox (Calgary Flames) because we played together for USA Hockey's National Team Development Program and he's so incredibly smart with everything he does. His decision-making is great. We work well together because he can be that offensive-defenseman and I'm going to back him up since I'm more defensive." -- University of Minnesota defenseman Ryan Lindgren (Boston Bruins)