Screengrab from a video shared by the World Junior A Challenge official Twitter account

Team USA wins 2018 World Junior A Challenge

 

By @MichaelCaples –

Eight Michigan names are coming home from Bonnyville, Alberta as champions.

Sunday evening, Team USA beat Russia 2-0 in the title game of the World Junior A Challenge.

It’s the fifth time in seven years that the U.S. squad – each year an all-star group from the USHL – has won the prestigious event. It’s the eighth WJAC championship for USA Hockey.

White Lake native Ronnie Attard, a Western Michigan commit, served as the captain that accepted the trophy on behalf of USA Hockey – video included below.

On Saturday, the Americans beat Canada West 3-2 in overtime to advance to the championship contest.

Roster breakdown:

Forwards

  • Cal Kiefiuk – Central Illinois Flying Aces – Macomb native, Michigan commit
  • Josh Nodler – Fargo Force – Oak Park native, Michigan State commit
  • Ryan O’Reilly – Fargo Force – Detroit Red Wings draftee
  • Trevor Janicke – Central Illinois Flying Aces – NTDP alum

Defensemen

  • Ronnie Attard – Tri-City Storm – White Lake native, Western Michigan commit
  • Travis Mitchell – Omaha Lancers – South Lyon native, Cornell commit
  • Mitchell Miller – Cedar Rapids RoughRiders – Compuware and Honeybaked alum

Goaltenders

  • Blake Pietila – Cedar Rapids RoughRiders – Howell native, Michigan Tech commit

Highlights: