By: Neil Simmons | Follow me on Twitter / X: @NSimmz
Bruins prospect Will Zellers has been added to Team USA’s preliminary roster for the upcoming World Junior Championships. After not being named in the initial team announcement on December 1st, Zellers will now take part in the Team USA camp and contend for a spot on the final roster ahead of the tournament in the Twin Cities.
Zellers, a native of nearby Maple Grove, Minnesota, has gotten off to a spectacular start in his college hockey career, already establishing himself as one of the premier young snipers in the NCAA. As of writing, Zellers has recorded 10-5-15 in his first 16 games as a member of the North Dakota Fighting Hawks, which currently ranks third on the team. He was recently named NCHC Rookie of the Month for November after scoring seven goals in seven games and recording a point in all but one of those seven appearances.
Of his team-leading 10 goals this season, four have been game-winning goals, and six have come on the power play, which not only lead all North Dakota skaters but are tied for second and third nationally as well. Zellers’ goal tally also ranks second amongst freshmen in the NCAA, one goal behind Michigan State’s Porter Martone, Quinnipiac’s Markus Vidicek, and Maine’s Justin Poirier in a three-way tie for first. With two more games ahead of him before the winter break, Zellers could very well tie or take the lead before heading to Team USA camp in Duluth.
Drafted in the third round of the 2024 NHL Draft by Colorado, Boston acquired Zellers from the Avalanche at the trade deadline last season as a key piece of the package that sent Charlie Coyle to Denver. At the time, Zellers was in the middle of an exceptional USHL campaign with the Green Bay Gamblers. He finished the season with a team record and league-leading 44 goals in 52 games, earning USHL Young Player of the Year honors before embarking on his collegiate career in Grand Forks.
Zellers will need to survive roster cuts before having a guaranteed spot on Team USA, as two forwards and two defensemen will be cut before the roster can be finalized. With six forwards returning from last year’s gold medal-winning team, there will be stiff competition for the remaining spots. The final roster will be announced on Christmas Eve.
Should Zellers make the team, he would be one of three Bruins participating in the tournament, after having no representation in Ottawa a year ago. Zellers would join fellow Bruin James Hagens on Team USA’s quest for a three-peat, with Vashek Blanar representing Czechia in Group B.
Team USA will begin its gold-medal defence on Boxing Day by taking on Germany in the recently re-named Grand Casino Arena, home of the Minnesota Wild. Following Germany, Team USA will face Switzerland, Slovakia, and Sweden in group play before the playoff round begins in the new year.
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