Full Team North America (U23) roster announced for upcoming World Cup of Hockey

By @MichaelCaples –

A roster for the best 23-and-under players in North America has been finalized for the upcoming World Cup.

The squad – which will compete under the name ‘Team North America’ – features a star-studded cast of youngsters who will compete against some of the best players in the world representing their native countries in Toronto for the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.

The tournament runs from Sept. 17 through Oct. 1 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. ESPN owns the broadcast rights for the tournament.

Waterford native Dylan Larkin and Commerce native Connor Hellebuyck were announced as ‘Team North America’ members on March 2, during an early roster release in which all eight participating teams announced 16-man rosters. Today, it was announced that Rochester native Jacob Trouba will join the squad, as well.

Larkin, 19, is a product of USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program and the University of Michigan. The Waterford native posted 23 goals and 22 assists for 45 points in 80 games as a rookie forward with the Detroit Red Wings.

Trouba, 22, concluded his third season with the Winnipeg Jets in 2015-16. The NTDP and Wolverines alum posted six goals and 15 assists in 81 games this past season. Over the course of his budding NHL career, Trouba has posted 23 goals and 49 assists for 72 points in 151 games.

Hellebuyck, 23, is a Michigan high school hockey product, as well as a NAHL and UMass-Lowell alum. He is regarded as one of the top goaltending prospects in the world. He played in 26 games with the Winnipeg Jets this past season, posting a 13-11-0 record with a .918 save percentage and 2.34 goals-against average.