"It's a great opportunity to play and represent your country and the goal here is to win gold," Wahlstrom said. "That's my mindset going into this. I don't want to end my junior USA career with anything but gold, so we're going to get to work here and just keep working and hopefully it leads to a gold medal."
The 19-year-old forward, chosen No. 11 in the 2018 NHL Draft, has nine points (three goals, six assists) in 20 games for Bridgeport of the American Hockey League.
"He's done very well [in Bridgeport]," Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello said. "He came in from college last year in the [AHL playoffs], played well when he was up here. He's developing all different parts of his game."
Wahlstrom will join the United States on Tuesday for the second day of selection camp at USA Hockey Arena. The camp, which now includes 16 forwards, 10 defensemen and three goalies, shifts to Ostrava, Czech Republic from Dec. 20-23. The U.S. will play exhibition matches against Sweden on Dec. 22 and Germany on Dec. 23. The final 23-man roster, which will include three goalies, is expected to be finalized after the second exhibition game.
"Wahlstrom adds veteran experience returning from last year's silver medal-winning team," U.S. general manager John Vanbiesbrouck said. "We look forward to seeing how the team comes together with the group of players we currently have in Plymouth."
Wahlstrom signed a three-year, entry-level contract on March 28 after having 19 points (eight goals, 11 assists) in 36 games for Boston College in Hockey East. He had three points (two goals, one assist) in five AHL regular-season games and four points (two goals, two assists) in five playoff games last season.
He has no points in nine games with the Islanders this season.
Wahlstrom is one of five returning players at selection camp who helped the United States finish second at the 2019 WJC, including goalie Spencer Knight (Florida Panthers), defensemen Mattias Samuelsson (Buffalo Sabres) and K'Andre Miller (New York Rangers) and forward Jack Drury (Carolina Hurricanes).
"I wanted to come here, wanted to win another gold medal so that's the plan and we have a really good team here and I just can't wait," Wahlstrom said. "It's going to be a lot of fun to compete in the Czech Republic with these guys."
