Wisconsin forward Luke Kunin will captain the United States team at the World Junior Championship, USA Hockey announced Sunday.
Boston College forward Colin White and Boston University defenseman Charlie McAvoy will be alternate captains.
“I couldn’t be happier to have these three quality guys leading this locker room,” said St. Cloud State coach Bob Motzko, who’s also head coach of the U.S. World Juniors team. “We’ve been saying it every day that there’s a pulse with this group. We know Luke, Charlie and Colin are at the center of that through their style of play and their tremendous amount of heart. We’re fortunate to have them leading this team.”
Kunin is the fifth Badgers player in the last 13 years to serve as captain. Two of his predecessors — Derek Stepan in 2010 and Jake McCabe in 2013 — won gold.
Kunin also was captain of the U.S. team that won the gold medal at the 2015 Under-18 World Championship.
The Americans open the tournament Dec. 26 against Latvia.
.@lukekunin9 named captain of the U.S. Nat’l Jr Team. @colinwhite37 & @CMcAvoy44 to serve as alternates: https://t.co/PNAuZeEezd #USAWJC pic.twitter.com/LaoU5HipLj
— USA Hockey (@usahockey) December 18, 2016
