Already the captain at Wisconsin as just a sophomore, center Luke Kunin (Chesterfield, Mo./U.S. NTDP/MIN) seems a natural choice to wear the "C" for the United States at the 2017 World Junior Championship.
Joining Kunin as alternate captains on the U.S. team are Boston University sophomore Charlie McAvoy (Long Beach, N.Y./U.S. NTDP/BOS) and Boston College freshman Colin White (Hanover, Mass./U.S. NTDP/OTT).
"I couldn't be happier to have these three quality guys leading this locker room," said St. Cloud State head coach Bob Motzko, the head coach of the 2017 U.S. National Junior Team. "We've been saying it every day that there's a pulse with this group. We know Luke, Charlie and Colin are at the center of that through their style of play and their tremendous amount of heart. We're fortunate to have them leading this team.
Kunin, McAvoy and White are all first-round NHL draft picks. This marks the eighth straight season that a college player will wear the "C" for the U.S.
Kunin leads Wisconsin in goals (11) and is second on the team in points (17) through 16 games this season. He is the only sophomore in the country to captain his team alone (though Motzko's St. Cloud State team has a sophomore co-captain, Jimmy Schuldt). White also leads his team in goals (10), and is third among Eagles with 17 points in 18 games. McAvoy's 13 points in 17 games lead Boston University defensemen.
Team USA is currently in Buffalo, N.Y., for training camp through Tuesday. The final roster will be named by Dec. 24.
The 2017 World Junior Championship begins Dec. 26 and runs through Jan. 5 in Toronto and Montreal. All U.S. games will be televised by NHL Network.