USA Hockey announced on Dec. 3 the 17-player roster for the U.S. Youth Olympic Team that will compete in the 2016 Winter Youth Olympic Games from Feb. 12-21, 2016, in Lillehammer, Norway.

Created by the International Olympic Committee, the Youth Olympic Games bring youth athletes from around the world together through sports and the Olympic values of excellence, respect and friendship.

All players are 2000 birthyears and were selected to participate in the USA Hockey Select 15 Player Development Camp, which took place July 15-21 in Williamsville, N.Y.

Of the 17 players, three have ties to Arizona in forward Erik Middendorf (Phoenix Jr. Coyotes), forward Ryan Savage (Scottsdale native playing 18U hockey in Austria, former Jr. Coyote) and former Jr. Coyotes defenseman Adam Samuelsson.

The U.S. Youth Olympic Team will begin play on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016, against Finland.

In the first-ever Youth Winter Olympic Games in 2012, the U.S. finished fourth.

Middendorf photo/Steve Demeo