Defenseman Alex Vlasic is among the 39 players invited to the United States National Junior Team Evaluation Camp, USA Hockey announced Tuesday.
Vlasic, a second-round pick (43rd overall) of the Blackhawks in the 2019 NHL Draft, is a native of Wilmette in Chicago’s northern suburbs and will be a sophomore at Boston University. The 6-foot-6, 198-pound defenseman appeared in all 34 games for the Terriers and registered four assists while committing just five penalties and ranking sixth on the team with 31 blocked shots.
Vlasic was also selected for the 2019 Summer Showcase, appearing in a July 27 game against Finland and a July 28 game against Sweden. Team USA lost both games, with Vlasic notching one shot on goal and one minor penalty during those two appearances. He was one of 13 players cut from the roster July 29.
The camp will be Oct. 8-13 at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Michigan, and is part of the evaluation process to select the U.S. National Junior Team that will compete in the 2021 International Hockey Federation World Junior Championship, Dec. 25-Jan. 5, 2021, in Edmonton, Alberta.
The camp is closed to the public, including fans, scouts and media.
On July 15, USA Hockey announced it would not host the World Junior Summer Showcase that was set for July 24-31 in Plymouth. Vlasic was one of the 44 players invited to participate in the event.
The U.S. is seeking its fifth medal in six years after earning four consecutive medals: goal in 2017, silver in 2019 and bronze in both 2018 and 2016.
The Blackhawks haven’t had a prospect play for Team USA in the World Juniors since Evan Barratt in the 2019 edition of the tournament.
Local connections
Forward Owen Lindmark of Naperville, Illinois (Panthers) was also named to the camp. Four former Chicago Steel players will also head to the camp: Jackson LaCombe (Ducks), Robert Mastrosimone (Red Wings) and 2020 NHL draft prospects Brendan Brisson and Sam Colangelo. Sean Farrell, another 2020 prospect, made the list and will play for the Steel this season while taking classes online at Harvard.