Today USA Hockey announced that Joseph Woll, Toronto’s third-round draft pick in 2016, has been named to the preliminary roster for the 2018 World Junior Championships which begins this month in Buffalo, NY.  The opening game is December 26, and Team USA plays Team Canada in an outdoor game on December 29.

Last year, Woll was one of three goalies on the USA roster, and he saw action in two games and had the role of backup to the starter, Tyler Parsons.  Parsons was in net when team USA won the gold medal over Canada in Toronto. This year, Woll and last year’s third goalie Jake Oettinger are expected to head into the preliminary games as a tandem.

They both played at the World Junior Summer Showcase this past August, and it was Woll in net for the final fin over Canada. Oettinger had the game the previous day versus Finland. That was the only hint that Woll had pulled ahead in the race for the number one spot.

Woll has a .905 Save Percentage in 14 games for Boston College so far this year and Oettinger has a .905 in 15 games for Boston University. I guess these two friends just can’t decide who should take the number one chair.

See the full roster at the link above.

IIHF World ChampionshipsMaple Leafs Prospects