Sabres' Mittelstadt left off U.S. roster for World Championship due to injury

There appears to have been a change of plans.

Following reports that Buffalo Sabres rookie forward Casey Mittelstadt would be part of the American squad at the upcoming World Championship, the Minnesota native was conspicuously absent when Team USA announced its final roster Saturday.

The reason for the omission is a groin injury, according to John Vogl of the Buffalo News.

Mittelstadt spent the 2017-18 campaign with the University of Minnesota, where he scored 30 points in 34 games. He was also a key contributor for the Americans at last year's World Junior Championship.

Following the college season, Mittelstadt closed out his campaign in Buffalo, where he notched five points in six games.

The 19-year-old is expected to play a key role with the Sabres next year. Buffalo selected Mittelstadt with the eighth pick in the 2017 draft.