USA Hockey today announced the first 21 players for the U.S. Junior Select Team that will compete in the 2022 World Junior A Challenge from Dec. 11-18 in Cornwall, Ont.

The U.S. has won five of the last eight tournaments (2018, 2016, 2012-14).

The group includes 12 forwards, seven defensemen and two goaltenders.

All players currently compete in the United States Hockey League, the only Tier I junior hockey league in the U.S.

Among the 21 selected are Chicago Steel defenseman Jake Livanavage, a Gilbert native who played for DYHA, Arizona Hockey Union, Jr. Coyotes and Arizona Bobcats.

The U.S. will play a pre-tournament game against Canada East at 7 p.m. ET on Dec. 9 at the Cornwall Civic Complex in Cornwall, Ont. Team USA will kick off tournament play at 5 p.m. ET on Dec. 11 against Canada West.

(November 16, 2022)