It’s been a long and winding road, but the 2022 World Juniors are finally underway. Originally scheduled for Dec. 26, 2021 to Jan. 5, 2022, a COVID postponement forced the tournament into an unprecedented summer start. Chicago Blackhawks’ prospect Landon Slaggert and Team USA opened preliminary play Tuesday with a 5-1 win over Germany.
Slaggert got involved in the scoring early by recording a primary assist on the Americans’ first goal. The Blackhawks’ 2020 third-round pick corralled the puck at the right dot and put it on a platter for Luke Hughes. The New Jersey Devils’ prospect fired then a slapshot through traffic to open the scoring.
Up 2-0 and dominating play early in the second period, Team USA added another tally. After a failed clearing attempt by the Germans, Slaggert took a pass on the goal line from Hughes and shoveled it toward the net and in.
Landon Slaggert finished the night with two points (one goal, one assist), five shots, and a +2 rating in 12:03 of ice time.
Fellow Chicago Blackhawks’ prospects Dominic James and Wyatt Kaiser are also playing for Team USA in the 2022 World Juniors. James recorded a secondary assist on the Americans’ fifth and final goal of the night. Kaiser did not crack the score sheet in 14:55 of ice time.
Team USA will continue preliminary play at the 2022 World Juniors on Thursday against Switzerland. Puck drop is scheduled for 9 PM CT.
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