Wrong to leave NJ’s Hutsko off 2019 U.S. National Junior Team Preliminary Roster

Logan Hutsko was left off the 2019 U.S. National Junior Team Preliminary Roster. (BC Athletics)

On Wednesday, USA Hockey announced its preliminary roster for the 2019 U.S. National Junior Team that will compete in the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship in Vancouver, and Victoria, British Columbia from Dec. 26-Jan. 5.

Five New England natives were named to the preliminary roster that will be trimmed down at a pre-tournament camp in Everett, Washington.

Providence College freshman defenseman Michael Callahan, Yale sophomore defenseman Phil Kemp (Greenwich, Conn.), U.S. NTDP U-18 goaltender Spencer Knight (Darien, Conn.), Providence College freshman center Jay O’Brien, and Boston College freshman right wing Oliver Wahlstrom were the five New England natives to make the preliminary roster.

As always, there were several decisions that USA Hockey brass made that could be debated for days. USA Hockey, led by first year General Manager John Vanbiesbrouck, made some decisions that were well thought out while a few others were baffling.

Hard to explain Hutsko’s absence

Logan Hutsko (North Caldwell, NJ), the Boston College freshman right wing, has three goals and eight assists in twelve games played so far this season. That is better production than several players of similar size and skill set that made the preliminary roster.

Hutsko, a 2018 third round pick of the Florida Panthers, had a couple of tough seasons with injury, but bounced back in a major way in 2017-18. He earned Hockey East Rookie of the Year and Hockey East All-Rookie Team accolades following the season.

Hutsko makes plays. He’s quick and able to get to pucks, but then he sees the ice well and is able to find teammates for good scoring chances. He was a little snakebitten, but scored two nice goals in last Friday’s rivalry game at Boston University.

It’s one thing if USA Hockey doesn’t think Hutsko is one of the best 13 forwards for winning the 2019 World Junior Championship. However, to not have him on the preliminary roster when the organization invited similar players such as Boston University sophomore left wing Logan Cockerill and Wisconsin sophomore right wing Sean Dhooge is absolutely inexcusable.

USA Hockey rightfully prioritizes reliable defenders

When the preliminary roster was released, there was a lot of noise on social media regarding the lack of two Harvard defensemen, freshman Jack Rathbone (West Roxbury, Mass.) and sophomore Reilly Walsh (North Falmouth, Mass.). Both players are offensive-minded defensemen and former third or fourth round picks by the Vancouver Canucks and New Jersey Devils, respectively.

Both could bring some offensive flare from the backend, but USA Hockey already has that in Michigan sophomore Quinn Hughes, the seventh overall pick of the Canucks in this past summer’s NHL Draft.

Wisconsin sophomore K’Andre Miller is more of a two-way defenseman who can contribute offensively, but his size and strength is an asset in his own end as well.

USA Hockey made the right decision, inviting players such as Callahan and Yale freshman Jack St. Ivany over players like Rathbone and Walsh. Callahan and St. Ivany are both good-sized defensemen who will be reliable defensively and be on the right side of the puck.

More underage players?

Another big gripe is USA Hockey leaving star underage players such as Matt Boldy (Millis, Mass.), Trevor Zegras and Cole Caufield home. The trio of players on USA Hockey’s NTDP U-18 team are all better than Cockerill, Dhooge, and Sammy Walker.

It’s one thing to leave off underage players, but this ’01 class is a special group and these three players are better than some of the alternatives who made the preliminary roster. It’s hard to argue that these three lack international experience or size when some of the players they chose over them lack size or international experience.