Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

4 Blackhawks Prospects Make Team USA Preliminary 2024 World Juniors Roster

Originally posted on On Tap Sports Net | By Jonnie Nonnie | Last updated 12/4/23

The Chicago Blackhawks are expected to be well represented at the 2024 World Juniors as four prospects made Team USA's preliminary roster. Defenseman Sam Rinzel and forwards Gavin Hayes, Oliver Moore, and Frank Nazar are among a group of 29 Americans vying for spots on the 25-player roster.

Sam Rinzel

The Blackhawks selected Rinzel with the 25th overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft. Rinzel plays his college hockey at Minnesota, where he has 10 points (one goal, nine assists) through 16 games of his freshman season.

Gavin Hayes

Hayes was a third-round pick (No. 66 overall) of the Blackhawks in the 2022 NHL Draft. The 6-foot-2 forward is in his third season with the Flint Firebirds of the OHL. Hayes is filling up the stat sheet so far with 35 points (19 goals, 16 assists) through 25 games of the 2023-24 campaign.

Oliver Moore

While Connor Bedard was the headliner of the 2023 NHL Draft, the Blackhawks were ecstatic to select Moore at No. 19 overall. The speedy center is a fellow freshman with Rinzel at Minnesota, where he has 11 points (two goals, nine assists) in 16 games with the Gophers.

Frank Nazar

The Blackhawks selected Nazar with the 13th overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft. An injury limited him to just 13 games during his freshman year at Michigan, but the 5-foot-10 center has 18 points (eight goals, 10 assists) in as many games this season.

2024 World Juniors: Team USA Roster Outlook

With the preliminary roster set, Team USA will meet for training camp in Plymouth, Michigan from Dec. 14-16. After players audition at camp, Team USA is expected to announce its 25-player 2024 World Juniors roster by Dec. 17.

The 2024 World Juniors will take place in Gothenburg, Sweden from Dec. 26, 2023 - Jan. 5, 2024.

This article first appeared on On Tap Sports Net and was syndicated with permission.

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