USA names Sanderson captain for world juniors

Ottawa Senators prospect Jake Sanderson will wear the "C" for the United States at the 2022 World Junior Championship, USA Hockey announced Tuesday.

Matty Beniers, Brock Faber, and Landon Slaggert will serve as alternates.

"The strength of this team is its leadership, and we have a group of guys that have earned the letter on their jersey both on and off the ice," head coach Nate Leaman said in a statement. "There are even more leaders in our locker room. We're excited about this group overall, and for us to be successful, every player will need to find a way to lead."

Sanderson was chosen fifth overall by the Sens at the 2020 NHL Draft. He was a part of USA's gold-medal winning squad at the world juniors a year ago. The 19-year-old defenseman plays at North Dakota, where he's tallied 19 points in 15 games this season.

Beniers became the first draft pick in Seattle Kraken history when he was selected second overall in 2021. The center is also in his second year with USA's world junior team. He's recorded 11 goals and 11 assists in 20 games at Michigan this season.

Faber is another of six returning players. A second-round pick by the Los Angeles Kings in 2020, the right-handed defenseman has registered nine points in 18 games at Minnesota this campaign.

Slaggert is a returnee as well. The versatile forward was a third-round pick by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2020. He's racked up 10 points at Notre Dame this year.