NEWSLETTER
On Friday morning, USA Hockey announced its leadership group for the World Junior Championship, which begins next week in Edmonton.
Blackhawks prospect and Notre Dame forward London Slaggert was one of two alternate captains named, joining Sharks prospect Thomas Bordeleau. Defenseman Brock Faber, a second-round pick by the Kings in 2020, will be the captain. Faber was traded “home” to the Minnesota Wild in the deal that sent Kevin Fiala to the Kings this summer.
Slaggert and Faber (U. of Minnesota) will be back in the Big Ten this coming season. Bordeleau, who was also in the Big Ten at Michigan last season, appeared in eight games for the Sharks this past season and will likely see more run up front in San Jose this coming season.
The Blackhawks selected Slaggert in the third round (No. 79 overall) in 2020. This will be the second WJC tournament for Slaggert, who appeared in seven games in the tournament for the United States last year. He posted 12 goals and 14 assists in 40 games for the Fighting Irish last season.
Slaggert was impressive during the Blackhawks development camp in early July on a line with Frank Nazar, so it will be interesting to see if that chemistry carries over to the US squad in the tournament beginning next week. The US plays Finland in a tune-up game on Friday night.
