It has been eight years since an Ohio State player represented the United States at the World Junior Championship. The last Buckeye to wear Team USA’s sweater was Joseph Palmer in 2008. But this fact may be about to change.
Freshman Tanner Laczynski is on the preliminary roster for the squad’s 2017 WJC campaign. He and the other team hopefuls will participate in training camps in New York and Ontario before the final four roster cuts are made. Three forwards (Laczynski's position) are expected to be on the chopping block.
The Buckeye rookie was on Team USA’s radar going into the season. His performance through the first half of the year only strengthened his resume. Laczynski leads No. 10 Ohio State with 22 points. He ranks second in scoring among all NCAA freshmen.
Laczynski has recorded a point or better in 11 of his 15 games. Eight of those tilts were multi-point outings. He set a career high with four points in Saturday’s 8-3 win over No. 11 Minnesota.
(The World Juniors aren’t terribly well known outside of hockey circles so you may not realize what a big deal a selection to a WJC roster is. It is a gigantic deal. The WJC is like if March Madness and the Olympics had a hockey baby.)
If Laczynski does indeed make the final roster it will be a great personal achievement. It will also mean international exposure for Buckeye hockey. Either way, recruiting the high-flying rookie and continuing his development is certainly a feather in the cap of Steve Rohlik and the rest of the OSU coaching staff.
In addition to Laczynski, the Big Ten sends defenseman Joe Cecconi (Michigan) and forwards Luke Kunin (Wisconsin) and Ryan Lindgren (Minnesota) to Team USA’s training camp. Former Miami RedHawk and Columbus, Ohio native Jack Roslovic is also on the roster.
Team USA plays preliminary tournament tilts with Switzerland on December 21 and the Czech Republic on December 23. Final roster cuts will then be made. The United States opens the World Juniors against Latvia on December 26.
