Leaman sees preparation as key to U.S. winning World Junior Championship

Nate Leaman, who will coach the United States at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship, said that though winning back-to-back titles at the event would be a great feat, it certainly isn't the motivating force behind his team trying to repeat as champion.

"I think it's always out there, above your head and in the cloud," Leaman said. "But we didn't win last year by talking about it every day. We won the gold medal by preparing and working and that's kind of our focus right now. We'll play well in the tournament if we prepare well for the tournament, and that's entirely our focus."
The 2022 WJC will be held Aug. 9-20 at Rogers Place in Edmonton. The tournament originally was scheduled for Dec. 26-Jan. 5 but was postponed after four days of play when the United States, Czechia and Russia each had to forfeit a preliminary-round game after players tested positive for COVID-19. Results from the December games will not be counted when the tournament restarts.
The United States will join Sweden, Germany, Switzerland and Austria in preliminary-round play in Group B; Canada, Finland, Czechia, Slovakia and Latvia will play in Group A.
All games from the tournament will be televised live in the United States on NHL Network.
The United States has won the WJC five times (2004, 2010, 2013, 2017, 2021), but never has won consecutive titles.
Canada was the last team to win consecutive tournaments, winning five straight from 2005-09.
Leaman is entering his 12th season as coach at Providence College. He has reached the Frozen Four twice and won the NCAA championship in 2015.
Four players from the 2021 team are on the roster for the 2022 WJC: forwards
Brett Berard
(New York Rangers) and
Landon Slaggert
(Chicago Blackhawks), and defensemen
Brock Faber
(Minnesota Wild) and
Tyler Kleven
(Ottawa Senators). Forward Matty Beniers (Seattle Kraken) and defenseman Jake Sanderson (Ottawa Senators) also were part of the 2021 WJC and played in the tournament in December, but will not play when the tournament resumes, each choosing instead to prepare for his NHL team's training camp.
"We didn't discuss who's not here ... that hasn't come up at all," Leaman said. "I'm proud of the guys we have; they all want to represent their country. They're playing for their country and I think they're going to be a really relentless bunch."
Leaman discussed the upcoming tournament, expectations for his team and which players could make an impact in a Q&A with NHL.com.

How difficult a job was it to narrow down this roster and how important is it to have four returnees?
"We had our 2023 WJC group going the same time as our 2022 WJC camp (July 24-Aug. 3), so a lot of these guys were really just here for the 2023 group. We brought only 28 for our group, but having the two groups was really good because there were some guys you could see belong with our group. It was an interesting process. It was a hard process when running two camps, but I think it was good having that other group around and being able to evaluate them. As far as our returning players, they played in the tournament and have had success in the tournament, so they'll be the leaders of our team."
Will goaltending be the biggest question mark entering the tournament? And who might be the frontrunners right now?
"I think we have two guys in Kaidan Mbereko (2023 draft eligible) and
Andrew Oke
(2023 draft eligible) who both kind of emerged through camp. Those two guys were playing in our exhibition games in Edmonton prior to the start of the tournament. So we'll determine more after those games."
Is there a player who surprised you during development camp?
"Goalie Andrew Oke definitely surprised us. I don't think any of us knew a lot about him. He's been real positive and he's played some pretty good hockey to this point with Saginaw in the Ontario Hockey League. So for a guy who was one of the last adds to our camp when we knew goalie]
[Drew Commesso
(Blackhawks) wouldn't be here, that's a real positive."

Do you have an idea who you might have at center, and could you provide a top-six among the forward group?
"Our five centers will likely consist of
Dominic James
(Blackhawks),
Logan Cooley
(Arizona Coyotes), Thomas Bordeleau (San Jose Sharks), Charlie Stramel (2023 draft eligible) and
Redmond Savage
(Detroit Red Wings). We've been doing a lot of mixing and matching with the line combinations. A top six could consist of Bordeleau,
Matthew Knies
(Toronto Maple Leafs),
Matt Coronato
(Calgary Flames), Cooley ...
Carter Mazur
(Red Wings),
Mackie Samoskevich
(Florida Panthers) and Slaggert are also in that mix."
The United States will repeat as World Junior champion if ...
"We're relentless. I just think this is going to have to be a team that comes together as a team, plays as a team, and doesn't back down for anything. They just keep coming and coming and coming."
You're going into your 12th season as coach at Providence. Do you consider yourself a lifelong college coach? Or are you open to other opportunities?
"I'm always listening. As I said last year, you're always inspired by the highest level."
Photos: Mike Caples, USA Hockey