With the puck set to drop next week at the 2012 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship in Brno, Znojmo, and Breclav, the rosters have been announced by the participating national federations.
The defending champions United States will go for their fourth straight gold medal, albeit with a different cast from last year. The 2012 roster features only three returnees from last year's team: forward Nicolas Kerdiles along with defencemen Seth Jones and Jacob Trouba.
Sweden will be without players such as Oscar Klefbom and Mika Zibanejad this time around, but will get a boost from the return of Leksand product Fillip Forsberg, who was among the team’s scoring leaders in the 2011 tournament.
Canada will try to better its fourth-place finish in Germany last year with an entirely new cast of players under head coach Jesse Wallin. Highlighting the group will be a strong defensive corps that includes highly-touted prospects Mathew Dumba and Darnell Nurse.
Team Russia is currently waiting on the status of top forward Mikhail Grigorenko. The 18-year-old is currently playing with the Quebec Remparts in the QMJHL playoffs and may not be available in time for the start of the tournament next week. In net for the Russians will be Andrei Vasilevski, who led the 2012 IIHF World Junior Championship with a 95.31 save percentage and two shutouts.
View the complete rosters for each team below:
CANADA
Goalkeepers:
Spencer Martin, Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors
Matt Murray, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
Brandon Whitney, Victoriaville Tigres
Defencemen:
Mathew Dumba, Red Deer Rebels
Josh Morrissey, Prince Albert Raiders
Darnell Nurse, Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds
Adam Pelech, Erie Otters
Damon Severson, Kelowna Rockets
Warren Steele, Kingston Frontenacs
Forwards:
Troy Bourke, Prince George Cougars
William Carrier, Cape Breton Screaming Eagles
Brendan Gaunce, Belleville Bulls
Scott Kosmachuk, Guelph Storm
Scott Laughton, Oshawa Generals
Anthony Mantha, Val-d’Or Foreurs
Sam Reinhart, Kootenay Ice
Kerby Rychel, Windsor Spitfires
Gemel Smith, Owen Sound Attack
Braden Troock, Seattle Thunderbirds
Mike Winther, Prince Albert Raiders
CZECH REPUBLIC
Goalkeepers:
Daniel Dolejs, HC Havlickuv Brod
Dominik Hrachovina, Tappara Tampere (FIN)
Marek Langhammer, HC Pardubice
Patrik Polivka, HC Plzen
Defencemen:
Jiri Behal, Ocelari Trinec
Lukas Buchta, PSG Zlin
Adam Hawlik, Vitkovice Ostrava
Jakub Houfek, HC Plzen
Ronald Knot, Slavia Prague
Martin Kokes, HC Litvínov
Jan Kostalek, Sparta Prague
Petr Sidlik, Victoriaville Tigres (CAN)
Jan Stencel, Vitkovice Ostrava
Libor Sulak, Tatranski Vlci Poprad (SVK/MHL)
Forwards:
Adam Dlouhy, Bili Tygri Liberec
Jan Hudecek, Vitkovice Ostrava
Adam Chlapik, Muskegon Lumberjacks (USA)
Martin Matejcek, Sparta Prague
Martin Prochazka, Sparta Prague
Matej Psota, Bili Tygri Liberec
Pavel Sedlacek, PSG Zlin
Dominik Simon, Sparta Prague
Ondrej Slovacek, Vitkovice Ostrava
Eustathios Soumelidis, Vaasan Sport
Vojta Tomecek, HC Karlovy Vary
Dominik Volek, Regina Pats (CAN)
Jakub Vrana, Linköpings HC (SWE)
Matej Zadrazil, HC Karlovy Vary
Patrik Zdrahal, Vitkovice Ostrava
DENMARK
Goalkeepers:
Mathias Andersen, Herning Blue Fox
Matthias N. Hansen, Fredrikshavn White Hawks
George Lago Sørensen, Herning Blue Fox
Defencemen:
Magnus Gøtterup Povlsen, Rødovre SIK
Sonny Osvald Hertzberg, Frölunda Gothenburg (SWE)
Marco Illemann, Copenhagen Hockey
Mads Skov Larsen, Herning IK
Christopher Lindhøj, Malmö Redhawks (SWE)
Bjorn Uldall, Herning Blue Fox
Rasmus Schultz Lyø, Odense Bulldogs
Forwards:
Matthias Asperup, Frölunda Gothenburg (SWE)
Oliver Bjorkstrand, Aab Aalborg
Daniel Camermo, Borås HC (SWE)
Mads Eller, Fredrikshavn IK
Christopher Frederiksen, Herning IK
Nikolai Gade, Rungsted IK
Mikkel Aagaard Hansen, Rødovre Mighty Bulls
Lasse Jul Korsgaard, Aab Aalborg
Emil Binder Kristensen, Herning Blue Fox
Kristoffer Astorp Lauridsen, Herning IK
Morten Mathiesen, Herning IK (SWE)
Soren Dau Mortensen, SønderjyskE Vojens
Yannick Vedel, Culver Military Academy (USA)
Nikolaj Zorko, Rødovre Mighty Bulls
FINLAND
Goalkeepers:
Jean Aurén, Vaasan Sport
Joonas Korpisalo, Jokerit Helsinki * if out of playoffs
Juuse Saros, HPK Hämeenlinna
Atte Tolvanen, Ässät Pori
Defencemen :
Markus Kojo, Ässät Pori
Mikko Lehtonen, TPS Turku
Esa Lindell, Jokerit Helsinki * if out of playoffs
Atte Mäkinen, Tappara Tampere
Valtteri Parikka, KalPa Kuopio
Ville Pokka, Kärpät Oulu * if out of playoffs
Rasmus Ristolainen, TPS Turku
Santeri Saari, Jokerit Helsinki
Niklas Tikkinen, Espoo Blues
Juuso Vainio, HPK Hämeenlinna
Mikko Vainonen, HIFK Helsinki * if out of playoffs
Forwards:
Joose Antonen, Ilves Tampere
Aleksander Barkov, Tappara Tampere
Nico Friman, HIFK Helsinki * if out of playoffs
Henrik Haapala, Tappara Tampere
Joonas Huovinen, Vaasan Sport
Henri Ikonen, KalPa Kuopio
Juuso Ikonen, Espoo Blues * if out of playoffs
Janne Juutinen, HIFK Helsinki * if out of playoffs
Rasmus Kulmala, TPS Turku
Artturi Lehkonen, TPS Turku
Samu Markkula, JYP Jyväskylä
Aleksi Mustonen, Jokerit Helsinki * if out of playoffs
Topi Nättinen, JYP Jyväskylä
Joni Nikko, Lukko Rauma
Eetu Patronen, KalPa Kuopio
Aleksi Rutanen, Espoo Blues
Saku Salminen, Jokerit Helsinki * if out of playoffs
Jonatan Tanus, Tappara Tampere
Teuvo Teräväinen, Jokerit Helsinki * if out of playoffs
GERMANY
Goalkeepers:
Marvin Cüpper, Eisbären Berlin
Patrick Klein, DEG Düsseldorf
Kevin Reich, Adler Mannheim
Defencemen:
Tim Bender, Adler Mannheim
Sebastian Koberger, EC Bad Tölz
Janik Möser, Adler Mannheim
Nicolai Quinlan, Starbulls Rosenheim
Thomas Schmid, EC Bad Tölz
Andreas Schwarz, EC Bad Tölz
Robin Steensens, Krefelder EV
Eric Stephan, DEG Düsseldorf
Dominik Tiffels, Adler Mannheim
Forwards:
Leon Draisaitl, Adler Mannheim
Markus Eisenschmid, ESV Kaufbeuren
Kai Herpich, Adler Mannheim
Raphael Kaefer, EHC Klostersee
Dominik Kahun, Adler Mannheim
Partick Klöpper, Krefelder EV
John Koslowski, Eisbären Berlin
Marcel Kurth, Adler Mannheim
Lukas Laub, Adler Mannheim
Lennart Papausch, Adler Mannheim
Dominik Patocka, EV Landshut
Denis Shevyrin, Krefelder EV
Frederik Tiffels, Adler Mannheim
Sven Ziegler, Eisbären Berlin
Benjamin Zientek, Starbulls Rosenheim
LATVIA
Goalkeepers:
Nils Grinfogels, Juniors Riga
Elvis Merzlikins, HC Lugano (SUI)
Ivars Punnenovs, Kloten Flyers (SUI)
Defencemen:
Krists Apsitis, Prizma Riga
Edmunds Augstkalns, Juniors Riga
Kristaps Bazevics, Alaska Avalanche (USA)
Janis Eisaks, Juniors Riga
Martins Oskars Freimanis, Liepajas Metalurgs
Matiss Gelazis, Graz 99ers (AUT)
Rudolfs Kalvitis, Shattuck-St. Marys (USA)
Ilja Makarovs, Liepajas Metalurgs
Rinalds Rosinskis, Juniors Riga
Patriks skuratovs, Juniors Riga
Forwards:
Teodors Blugers, Shattuck-St. Mary’s (USA)
Rihards Bukarts, Kapitan Stupino (RUS)
Georgijs Golovkovs, Liepajas Metalurgs
Edgars Homjakovs, Liepajas Metalurgs
Nikolajs Jelisejevs, HK Riga
Nikita Jevpalovs, HK Riga
Ricards Kondrats, Juniors Riga
Edgars Kulda, Juniors Riga
Martins Lavrovs, Ässät Pori (FIN)
Roberts Lipsbergs, HK Riga
Karlis Ozolins, Liepajas Metalurgs
Rudolfs Petersons, HK Riga
Filips Plostnieks, Prizma Riga
Daniels Riekstins, Prizma Riga
Arturs Sevcenko, HK Riga
Roberts Smits, Select Hockey Academy (USA)
RUSSIA
Goalkeepers:
Ivan Nalimov, SKA-1946 St. Petersburg
Igor Ustinski, Gazovik Tyumen
Andrei Vasilevski, Tolpar Ufa
Defencemen:
Alexei Bereglazov, Stalnye Lisy Magnitogorsk
Damir Galin, Bars Kazan
Stanislav Gareyev, Tolpar Ufa
Yuri Kozlovski, Spartak Moscow
Nikita Lisov, Krasnaya Armia Moscow
Yegor Malenkikh, SKA-1946 St. Petersburg
Kirill Maslov, Loko Yaroslavl
Andrei Mironov, MVD Balashikha
Andrei Yermakov, Spartak Moscow
Nikita Zadorov, Krasnaya Armia Moscow
Forwards:
Leonid Avtomov, SKA-1946 St. Petersburg
Alexander Barabanov, SKA-1946 St. Petersburg
Alexander Delnov, Mytishinskie Atlanty
Alexei Filippov, Belye Medvedi Chelyabinsk
Mikhail Grigorenko, Quebec Remparts (QMJHL) - if out of playoffs
Anton Ivanyuzhenkov, Russkie Vityazi Chekhov
Denis Kamayev, Rouyn-Noranda Huskies (QMJHL)
Arseni Khatsei, Spartak Moscow
Viktor Komarov, Serebryanye Lvy St. Petersburg
Alexander Lebedev, Lokomotiv Yaroslavl
Valeri Nichushkin, Belye Medvedi Chelyabinsk
Vyacheslav Osnovin, Belye Medvedi Chelyabinsk
Anton Slepyshev, Metallurg Novokuznetsk
Alexander Timirev, Krasnaya Armia Moscow
Sergei Tolchinski, Krasnaya Armia Moscow
Bogdan Yakimov, Reaktor Nizhnekamsk
Ilya Yamkin, Chaika Nizhni Novgorod
Damir Zhafyarov, Kuznetskie Medvedi
Danil Zharkov, Belleville Bulls (OHL)
SWEDEN
Goalkeepers:
Oscar Dansk, Brynäs Gävle
Marcus Högberg, Linköpings HC
Ebbe Siönäs, AIK Stockholm
Defencemen:
Calle Andersson, Färjestad Karlstad
Linus Arnesson, Djurgården Stockholm
Ludwig Byström, MODO Örnsköldsvik
Christian Djoos, Brynäs Gävle
Simon Fernholm, Huddinge IK
Rogert Hägg, MODO Örnsköldsvik
Hampus Lindholm, Rögle Ängelholm
Mattias Nilsson, Leksands IF
Jesper Pettersson, Linköpings HC
Forwards
André Burakowsky, IF Malmö Redhawks
Sebastian Collberg, Frölunda Gothenburg
Anton Brehmer, Linköpings HC
Jacob de la Rose, Leksands IF
Filip Forsberg, Leksands IF
Ludvig Nilsson, Timrå IK
Mattias Kalin, Djurgården Stockholm
Erik Karlsson, Frölunda Gothenburg
Elias Lindholm, Brynäs Gävle
Tobias Törnkvist, Rögle Ängelholm
Gustav Possler, MODO Örnsköldsvik
Gustav Rydahl, Frölunda Gothenburg
Filip Sandberg, HV71 Jönköping
Robin Söderquist, Frölunda Gothenburg
Alexander Wennberg, Djurgården Stockholm
Daniel Zaar, Rögle Ängelholm
SWITZERLAND
Goalkeepers:
Melvin Nyffeler, ZSC Lions Zurich
Niklas Schlegel, ZSC Lions Zurich
Defencemen:
Phil Baltisberger, ZSC Lions Zurich
Xeno Büsser, ZSC Lions Zurich
Samuel Kreis, SC Bern
Alessandro Lanzarotti, EV Zug
Anthony Rouiller, EHC Biel
Riccardo Sartori, HC Ambrì-Piotta
Timon Zuber, Kloten Flyers
Forwards:
Lukas Balmelli, HC Lugano
Nicola Brandi, ZSC Lions Zurich
Ramon Diem, ZSC Lions Zurich
Nico Dünner, EV Zug
Fabrice Herzog, EV Zug
Dario Kummer, SC Bern
Marco Müller, SC Bern
Flavio Schmutz, VIK Västerås (SWE)
Julian Schmutz, SC Bern
Lukas Sieber, HC Davos
Dario Simion, HC Lugano
Thomas Studer, Kloten Flyers
Sandro Zangger, ZSC Lions Zurich
USA
Goalkeepers:
Collin Olson, US NTDP
Jared Rutledge, US NTDP
Defencemen
Will Butcher, US NTDP
Connor Carrick, US NTDP
Matt Grzelcyk, US NTDP
Seth Jones, US NTDP
Patrick Sieloff, US NTDP
Brady Skej, US NTDP
Jacob Trouba, US NTDP
Forwards
Riley Barber, US NTDP
J.T. Compher, US NTDP
Andrew Copp, US NTDP
Cameron Darcy, US NTDP
Thomas Di Pauli, US NTDP
Ryan Hartman, US NTDP
Nicolas Kerdiles, US NTDP
Matthew Lane, US NTDP
Daniel O’Regan, St. Sebastian’s (Mass.) School
Kyle Osterberg, US NTDP
Quentin Shore, US NTDP
Frankie Vatrano, US NTDP
