Boldy invited to Team USA’s World Juniors camp

One of the very few events happening in the hockey world right now that is on the same calendar as usual, is the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championships. With other nations slowly releasing their training camp rosters, Team USA waited until the very last minute to put together their group of teenagers to take to Plymouth, Mich. on Dec. 6 in preparation for the winter tournament.

One of those players named is Minnesota Wild prospect and Boston College forward Matt Boldy.

“We have a talented group and we’ll have some tough decisions to make,” said John Vanbiesbrouck, general manager of the 2021 U.S. National Junior Team, in the release on Monday. “We continue to benefit from a deep player pool, and that’s credit to all of the organizations and volunteers developing the next wave of American talent.”

That deep player pool led to the U.S. leaving the tournament without a medal for the first time since 2015 last year, but hopefully that all changes and Boldy can be a major reason why. The 19-year-old has been a part of the nation’s program since playing on the Under-17 squad three years ago and he has jumping up the ranks ever since. Taking into account his hot start with the Eagles this season — four points through two games last weekend — he should be considered a lock to be on the plane to Edmonton, Alta. and will be in the lineup when the tournament starts on Dec. 26.

One other Wild prospect that was in contention but was not listed to the final camp roster is fellow Boston College product, defenseman Marshall Warren. The 19-year-old blueliner captained the Under-18 team just two years ago, but is left off this camp roster just because of the other high-profile talent that’s available.

Some semblance of normalcy is always nice and making up mock lineups for the United State’s first preliminary game against Russia on Dec. 25, is getting me all warm and fuzzy for the holidays.