Team USA assembles strong roster for world juniors

• Team USA expected to a medal contender in Ufa, Russia
• Defenseman Seth Jones blends size and skill
• Preliminary roster will be cut to 23 by Dec. 23

The 27-person preliminary roster for the U.S. national junior team boasts eight first-round NHL picks and another player who is garnering more attention than those who have already been drafted.

Portland (Ore.) Winterhawks defenseman Seth Jones, considered in the hunt to be the No. 1 NHL draft pick next June, headlines the U.S. group that is expected to be one of the medal contenders at the world juniors championships in Ufa, Russia, from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5.

"My read is that Seth Jones is becoming increasingly dominant with each passing game," said former Calgary Flames general manager Craig Button, now a draft expert and analyst for TSN and NHL Network.

Jones, the son of former NBA player Popeye Jones, is a 6-2, skilled mobile defenseman.

"It's one thing to be able to play, but the thing about Seth is that he imposes himself at every single aspect of the game," Button said. "If he's going to penalty kill, he's going to be fully invested. He is trying to do everything the right way. Seth is not a statistics-driven guy."

Jones does have good statistics, registering seven goals and 20 points in 26 games. But Button believes Jones could have close to 40 if he believed that's what his team needed.

"I am convinced that If Seth Jones wanted to make it all about points, he could," Button said.

U.S. coach Phil Housley says Jones is "built for today's game" because of his blend of size and skill.

"Defensively and positionally, he has a great stick," Housley said. "He uses his size well … his skating has improved over the years and he's able to jump into the play. He's the full package."

The Americans' first-round picks include New York Rangers' J.T. Miller, who is playing in the American Hockey League this season. He has two goals and eight points in 20 games for the Connecticut Whale. "Once you start playing with better players and (adjust) to the pace of play, you become a better player," Housley said.

The other first-rounders are Alex Galchenyk (Montreal), Jason Trouba (Winnipeg), Brady Skjei (New York Rangers), Stefan Matteau (New Jersey), Stefan Noesen (Ottawa), Tyler Biggs (Toronto) and Connor Murphy (Phoenix). Matteau is the son of former NHL forward Stephane Matteau, and Murphy is the son of former NHL defenseman Gord Murphy.

Ryan Hartman of the Plymouth (Mich.) Whalers is another potential NHL first-rounder named to the preliminary roster.

The U.S. team also has 10 players who have WJC eligibility beyond this season, compared with five last year. Miller, Trouba and goaltender Josh Gibson are back from last year's tournament, in which the USA got off to a slow start and fell to the relegation round. Sweden is the defending champion.

The Americans will cut four more players to get down to the 23-person roster by Dec. 23.

"We have a young, but talented group of players," said U.S. general manager Jim Johannson. "There will be some tough choices to get to the final roster, but that's certainly a good problem to have."