Mittelstadt could have extra home-ice edge at World Juniors

COLUMBUS -- Casey Mittelstadt could have an extra home-ice advantage when the United States National Junior Team begins its quest for a second straight gold medal at the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship in Buffalo later this month.
If Mittelstadt makes the team, as many expect, he'll not only be representing the United States on home soil, but also the city as the top prospect in the Buffalo Sabres' pipeline.

Mittelstadt, 19, is one of 28 players participating in USA Hockey select camp this week that will help determine the final 23-player roster. The 2018 WJC will be held at KeyBank Center and HarborCenter in Buffalo from Dec. 26-Jan. 5. The U.S. will also play Canada at New Era Field, home of the NFL's Buffalo Bills, in a preliminary-round game on Dec. 29 (3 p.m. ET; NHLN).
Chosen in the first round (No. 8) of the 2017 NHL Draft by the Sabres, Mittelstadt (6-foot-1, 202 pounds) understands the excitement his presence will create for Buffalo fans thirsting for a winner.

"It'll be somewhat of a home-ice advantage for our whole team, but if they're cheering a little extra for me because I'm part of that I think that'll be very cool," Mittelstadt said. "It would be something to look forward to. In a tournament as big as this, we'll take any advantage we can get."
Mittelstadt said he'll do everything he can to make certain the focus is on the team and the ultimate objective of winning the gold medal.
"It'll be exciting back [in Buffalo], but at the same time there's a lot of distractions that I'm going to have to block out," Mittelstadt said. "We have to go there to win and I've got to make sure I don't make it too much about me or the surroundings. I'm going to go there as a member of the team and try and deal with those distractions."
Mittelstadt, who was an early cut and then wasn't invited to the final selection camp for the gold medal-winning United States at the 2017 WJC, is a player on a mission this year. At the World Junior Summer Showcase in Plymouth, Michigan, in August, he tied for the lead among all players from four countries with nine points (three goals, six assists). At selection camp this week, Mittelstadt stood out more than just blending in once again.
"My vision and my hands are my strengths," he said. "I can make plays with my hands, be creative and try to make guys around me better."

U.S. junior team general manager Jim Johannson knows the one area that makes Mittelstadt unique at this stage of his development.
"Casey Mittelstadt is a guy who can beat good players 1-on-1, and that's a separation," Johannson said. "It's early in his development, but every time he's stepped up a level he's had success. He can play a lot of positions in a lot of roles. To me, a player having that pure 1-on-1 ability to beat players is hard to do in today's game."
It's an asset that has been on full display during selection camp, and the coaching staff has taken notice.
"He wants the puck, and when he has it, he has a purpose to create offense in a special way," U.S. coach Bob Motzko said. "He really raised his game this summer from an offensive standpoint. At some point, he'll bring you to the edge of your seat; he can change the game."
Mittelstadt has 17 points (five goals, 12 assists) and a plus-6 rating in 19 games as a freshman at the University of Minnesota. He's played much of the season on the "RPM Line" that features freshman Scott Reedy (San Jose Sharks) and sophomore Rem Pitlick (Nashville Predators).

But Mittelstadt admits he could be better.
"I've had a pretty good first half; I don't know if I'd call it my best or worst but as a team there's a lot we need to do better," he said. "We're not where we want to be, but everything has been great from coaches to teammates. I've loved every minute of college."
It might not be too long before Mittelstadt is also loving every minute of the NHL life with the Sabres.
"The best part of Buffalo when I was at development camp was the fans," he said. "The rink was full and here we are messing around in the middle of July just practicing, working on skills, and fans are cheering and yelling. I think that's what stood out to me the most. I'm sure they'll be there supporting the United States when the World Juniors begins, too."