Twenty-two current and former NCAA players headline the 25 named to the U.S. National Junior Team, USA Hockey announced Saturday. The group now heads to Edmonton, Alta., to compete in the 2021 World Junior Championship.

Three Named to Team Canada

Twelve schools are represented among the 22 NCAA players. Boston College, Michigan and Minnesota lead the way with three selections each, while Harvard, North Dakota, Providence and Wisconsin each have two representatives.

Eight players return from the 2020 U.S. National Junior Team, led by Boston College sophomore goaltender Spencer Knight (Darien, Conn./U.S. NTDP/FLA), who makes the team for the third time. Wisconsin sophomore Cole Caufield (Stevens Point, Wis./U.S. NTDP/MTL), who shares the national lead with six goals this season, is another returnee.

Providence head coach Nate Leaman is the head coach of the 2021 U.S. National Junior Team, with Ted Donato (Harvard), Kris Mayotte (Michigan) and Steve Miller (Ohio State) serving as assistant coaches and Theresa Feaster (Providence) as video coach.

The U.S. will face Russia in its first preliminary matchup on Dec. 25 (9:30 p.m. ET). NHL Network will provide live coverage of all U.S. games in the tournament.