Alex DeBrincat will not be joining Team USA at the World Junior Championship after being cut Thursday, USA Hockey announced.
The 19-year-old Blackhawks prospect currently leads the Ontario Hockey League with 30 goals, and is second in the league with 60 points in just 28 games.
It’s a shocking move as the elite scorer was expected by many to play a big role in the tournament for Team USA. According to TSN’s Bob McKenzie, his performance in the OHL wasn’t enough to secure him a spot on the final roster.
As for DeBrincat, Team USA view was he didn’t show well in either summer camp or this final selection camp.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) December 22, 2016
Aside from being one of the more entertaining tournaments of the year, the WJC is a big showcase for the game’s next top stars. DeBrincat has shown potential to play at that level all season in the OHL, but won’t get a chance to do so with Team USA.
It continues a string of bad luck with this tournament for the Michigan native.
WJC not kind to DeBrincat: Kicked out of his 1st game in ’16 (spearing); tourney-ending shoulder injury in 2nd game. Now cut.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) December 22, 2016
Chad Krys, the Hawks’ second-round pick (No. 45 overall), is one of the final 24 players to make the cut. The defenseman has one goal and two assists in 17 games in his freshman season for Boston University.
Team USA’s 23-man roster is expected be finalized Dec. 24.