The United States has left two high-skill, potential impact forwards off its World Junior Championship roster.
Alex DeBrincat and Logan Brown were announced as cuts Thursday morning as Bob Motzko and the U.S. staff trimmed the roster down to 24 skaters ahead of its final pretournament clash.
DeBrincat, a second-round selection of the Chicago Blackhawks, made the team last year, but was sparingly used after being ejected from the tournament opener and picking up a shoulder injury. He's been one of the most productive forwards in the Ontario Hockey League this season, and throughout his career. With 30 goals and 60 points in 28 games, DeBrincat is on pace to cruise beyond the 100-point threshold for a third consecutive season.
A lottery selection of the Ottawa Senators last summer, Brown was dealing with a wrist injury leading up to the selection camp. The towering center has been a dominant player when healthy, and was expected to be a key forward for the United States.
The Americans are set up front with 13 forwards. They must make one more decision on defense.
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