Mikey Anderson Named Captain of U.S. National Junior Team

Defenseman Mikey Anderson (Roseville, Minn./University of Minnesota Duluth) has been named captain of the 2019 U.S. National Junior Team it was announced tonight by USA Hockey.

In addition, defenseman Quinn Hughes (Orlando, Fla.) and forward Josh Norris (Oxford, Mich.), both teammates at the University of Michigan, were tabbed alternate captains of the squad.

"Mikey, Quinn and Josh all carry tremendous leadership traits that make them respected by both the players and the staff and we're fortunate to have them leading the United States at this year's World Junior Championship," said Mike Hastings, (Crookston, Minn./Minnesota State) head coach of the 2019 U.S. National Junior Team. "This is a real close-knit group that has the chance to build on USA Hockey's growing legacy in this tournament. We know these three individuals, as well as the team's bigger leadership core, will help lead us to success and we're excited to get started here in Victoria."

Team USA will begin play in the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship on Wednesday (Dec. 26) in Victoria, B.C., against Slovakia. Puck drop is set for 6:30 p.m. ET and can be seen live on NHL Network.

ABOUT ANDERSON

One of five returnees from last year's bronze medal-winning U.S. National Junior Team, Anderson skated alongside his brother, Joey Anderson, who served as captain of the squad. A year after becoming the third-ever brother duo to skate for the same U.S. National Junior Team, the two now become the first brothers to both captain a U.S. National Junior Team. Anderson is in his second season at the University of Minnesota Duluth after he and Joey helped the Bulldogs capture the 2018 NCAA National Championship. A native of Roseville, Minnesota, Anderson was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the fourth round, 103rd overall, of the 2017 NHL Draft.

ABOUT HUGHES

Drafted seventh overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2018 NHL Draft, Hughes is skating on a U.S. team in an IIHF event for the fourth time and his first as an alternate captain. Hughes is in his sophomore campaign at the University of Michigan where he leads the Wolverines in points (3-17--20). A product of USA Hockey's National Team Development Program, Hughes enters the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship having medaled in three IIHF tournaments, including the 2018 IIHF Men's World Championship (bronze), 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship (bronze), and 2017 IIHF Under-18 Men's World Championship (gold).

ABOUT NORRIS

Norris will serve as an alternate captain on a U.S. team for the first time and joins Anderson and Hughes as three of five returnees from last year's bronze medal-winning U.S. National Junior Team. An IIHF gold medalist with the 2017 U.S. Under-18 Men's National Team, Norris skates alongside Hughes at the University of Michigan and leads the Wolverines in goals after skating two seasons with USA Hockey's National Team Development Program. Norris was drafted 19th overall by the San Jose Sharks at the 2017 NHL Draft before having his rights traded to the Ottawa Senators.

NOTES: Mikey Anderson is the third Roseville, Minnesota, native to serve as captain of a U.S. National Junior Team after his brother, Joey, did so last year and Steve Ulseth captained the U.S. in 1979 ... For a complete list of U.S. National Junior Team captains, click here ... The U.S. enters the tournament having medaled in three straight World Junior Championships for the first time in U.S. history after earning gold in 2017 and bronze in 2018 and 2016 ... John Vanbiesbrouck (Detroit, Mich.), assistant executive director of hockey operations for USA Hockey, is serving as the general manager of the U.S. National Junior Team ... U.S. head coach Mike Hastings is joined by assistant coaches David Lassonde (Durham, N.H./Dartmouth College), Steve Miller (Sun Prairie, Wis./Ohio State University), Scott Sandelin (Hibbing, Minn./University of Minnesota Duluth) and Jerry Keefe (Saugus, Mass./Northeastern University) ... USA Hockey’s international council, chaired by Gavin Regan (Potsdam, N.Y.), vice president of USA Hockey, has oversight responsibilities for all U.S. national teams ... NHL Network is the official U.S. broadcaster of the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship. For more information about the tournament, click here.