Day 12 - December 26

In its tournament-opening game, the U.S. topped Slovakia, 2-1, to win its tournament-opener for the 12th straight IIHF World Junior Championship. Captain Mikey Anderson (Roseville, Minn./University of Minnesota Duluth) and Evan Barratt (Bristol, Pa./Penn State University) scored third period goals while Kyle Keyser (Coral Springs, Fla./Oshawa Generals) made 13 saves in the win. For the game recap, click here.

UP NEXT: OFF DAY, KAZAKHSTAN
Tomorrow, the U.S. will hold a practice session from 10-11am PT at The Q Centre. Media availability will take place following practice back at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre. 
     On Friday, the U.S. will return to preliminary round action when it takes on Kazakhstan. Puck drop is slated for 7:30 p.m. PT (10:30 p.m. ET) live on NHL Network.

DID YOU KNOW: KEEFE, HASTINGS REUNITE
Jerry Keefe, who is making his debut on a U.S. National Junior Team staff, was once coached by Mike Hastings with the Omaha Lancers in the United States Hockey League. A former Providence College player and current associate head coach at Northeastern University, Keefe was a two-time USHL All-Star under Coach Hastings and still ranks in the Lancers' all-time top 10 in scoring.

HUGHES BROTHERS JOIN ANDERSONS, FERRAROS, BROTENS The U.S. again has another brother duo skating on the same U.S. National Junior Team as Quinn and Jack Hughes (Orlando, Fla./ U.S. Nat'l Under-18) will skate together in a tournament for the first time. Neal and Aaron Broten were the first to accomplish the feat in 1979, just one year before Neal went on to be a part of the ‘Miracle on Ice’ 1980 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team. Peter and Chris Ferraro were the second brothers to skate a U.S. National Junior Team when they did so in 1992 and 1993. A year ago, Mikey Anderson skated alongside his brother, Joey, who served as team captain.