The World Junior Championship won’t be far from Columbus, just up through the Snow Belt in Buffalo, and any Blue Jackets fans who make the trip will see one of their own on the ice for Team USA.
Defenseman Andrew Peeke, a second-round pick in the 2016 draft, is a member of the roster officially released today. Peeke, who currently plays for a Notre Dame team unbeaten in the Big Ten, recently took part in the USA selection and training camp held in Columbus.
The American team will begin to defend last year’s gold medal when it opens play Tuesday vs. Denmark. The tournament will feature four pool games for each team, including an outdoor game Friday putting Team USA vs. Canada.
Peeke, 19, hails from Lakeland, Fla., and spent a year with Green Bay of the USHL before joining Notre Dame last year. He has five goals and 17 assists in his 60 games with the Fighting Irish, including a goal and seven assists this season.
He has previously played for the U.S. at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament and the World Junior A Challenge.
