Three NAPHL alumni named to USA National Junior Team
USA Hockey has named 29 players to the preliminary roster of its 2024 U.S. National Junior Team. The group, which includes eight members of the bronze medal-winning 2023 U.S. National Junior Team, will gather for a training camp at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Mich., from Dec. 14-16.
The roster includes three former NAPHL players including goaltender Jacob Fowler, defenseman Seamus Casey, and forward Gavin Brindley.
Players are auditioning for a spot on the final 25-player roster that will represent the United States in the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship Dec. 26, 2023 – Jan. 5, 2024, in Gothenburg, Sweden.
The 29 players -- including three goaltenders, 10 defensemen and 16 forwards -- come from 11 different states, with Minnesota leading the way with seven representatives. A total of 24 have been drafted by NHL teams, including 10 first-round selections and seven second-round choices. For the full roster, click here.
The final U.S. roster is expected to be announced by Dec. 17. Team USA has medaled in six of the last eight IIHF World Junior Championships, including earning bronze in the 2023 event.
Fowler, 19, played for the Florida Alliance 16U team during the 2019-20 season. He had a 7-0 record during the regular season with a 1.73 goals against average and a .932 save percentage. He was named to the All-NAPHL 2nd Team and also played in the 2019-20 NAPHL 16U All-Star Game. Fowler was named the 2023 USA Hockey Dave Peterson Goaltender of the Year. Fowler, who was also named the 2023 USHL Goaltender of the Year, backstopped the Youngstown Phantoms to the club’s first-ever Clark Cup championship, going undefeated in the finals to bring home the title. He was selected in Round 3, #69 overall in the 2023 NHL Draft by the Montreal Canadiens. He is currently a freshman at Boston College.
Casey, 19, played in the NAPHL during the 2019-20 season and recorded 29 points in 15 games played that was and was also named to the All-NAPHL 16U 1st Team. He was selected in Round #2, #46 overall in the 2022 NHL Draft by the New Jersey Devils. He currently is a sophomore at the University of Michigan and has 23 points in 18 games played.
Brindley, 19, spent one season playing in the NAPHL for the Florida Alliance 16U team during the 2019-20 season. He recorded 42 points (17 goals, 25 assists) in 15 regular season games and had seven points in five Dixon Cup Playoff games. He was named to the 2019-20 All-NAPHL 16U 1st team and would later go onto be drafted in Round 2, #34 overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2023 NHL Draft. As a freshman at the University of Michigan, he has 18 points in 18 games played.
