Ron Wilson, a longtime NHL coach and legendary NCAA player at Providence, will lead the U.S. National Junior Team at the 2016 World Junior Championship, USA Hockey announced Thursday.

Wilson will guide a team that could include players like Jack Eichel (Boston University), Noah Hanifin (Boston College) and Zach Werenski (Michigan), all expected to be high first-round picks later this month at the NHL Draft.

"It is always an honor to serve as head coach for the United States," Wilson said. "The World Junior Championship has evolved into one of the great events on the hockey calendar and with so many highly skilled players in USA Hockey's player pool, expectations have never been higher."

The 2016 World Junior Championship will take place Dec. 26, 2015, through Jan. 5, 2016, in Helsinki, Finland. USA Hockey will host its annual evaluation camp Aug. 1-8 in Lake Placid, N.Y.

Jim Johansson, general manager of the team and USA Hockey's assistant executive director for hockey operations, is a former Wisconsin star.

"Ron has arguably the most international experience of any USA Hockey coach," Johansson said. "I'm excited for our players to be around Ron and be coached by him."

Wilson was one of college hockey's best defensemen in history, twice earning first-team All-America honors while at Providence. His 250 career points stand as the most ever by a Friar and the most by an NCAA defenseman.