DENVER – Four University of Denver hockey players were invited to the U.S. National Junior Evaluation Camp in preparation for the 2022 and 2023 IIHF World Junior Championships, USA Hockey announced on Tuesday.
DU defensemen
Sean Behrens and
Shai Buium and forwards
Jack Devine and
Carter Mazur are among 60 players that will attend the camp from July 24-Aug. 3 at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Michigan. Denver's four players are tied for the most at the camp among a collegiate program.
Behrens and Mazur were named to the original Team USA roster for the 2022 World Juniors this past December before the under-20 tournament was cancelled due to COVID-19. Mazur and the Americans played one game before the tournament was cancelled, while Behrens couldn't attend the initial event due to COVID protocol.
This 2022 World Junior Championship will be held in the same location as this past winter, Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta, and is scheduled for Aug. 9-20. The 2023 World Juniors will take place at its usual time in the calendar year from Dec. 26, 2022 to Jan. 5, 2023 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Moncton, New Brunswick.
Behrens led all freshman defenders on the Pioneers in scoring during the 2021-22 campaign, recording 29 points (3g/26a) in 37 contests. A member of the NCHC All-Rookie Team and the NCAA West Regional All-Tournament Team, the Barrington, Illinois, native was first on the squad with 45 blocked shots while adding a plus-9 rating and 12 penalty minutes during the year.
Buium was also a member of the NCHC All-Rookie Team and registered three goals and 15 assists in 39 games. The native of San Diego, California, finished with a plus-20 rating, 24 blocks and 12 penalty minutes.
Devine had 19 points (3g/26a) in 37 outings for the Pioneers as the youngest player on the roster last season. From Glencoe, Illinois, Devine had four multi-point games during the 2021-22 season and is eligible for the 2022 NHL Draft next month.
Mazur finished tied for fifth on Denver last year in scoring with 38 points, tallying 14 goals and 24 assists in 41 games. The NCHC Rookie of the Year and a member of the conference's All-Rookie Team, Mazur finished second among all freshmen in the country and led all first-year forwards in points. The Jackson, Michigan, native was named the NCHC Rookie of the Month on three occasions, including for March/April when he had seven points (2g/5a) in nine contests and two assists in the NCAA Championship Game versus Minnesota State to help Denver win its record-tying ninth title.
The United States has claimed 13 total medals at the World Junior Championship, including gold most recently in 2021. The Americans have also won the championship in 2004, 2010, 2013 and 2017.
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