PLYMOUTH, Mich. -- The picture for what Team USA will look like at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship is starting to get a little clearer. The American squad opened its pre-tournament camp with 29 hopefuls vying for 25 roster spots -- only 23 active at a time -- as they prepare to enter the World Juniors as one of the favored teams.

With several looming questions facing Team USA as they entered camp, some of the answers started to come to fruition.

FloHockey was on the ground to document the first day, and detail what could be gleaned from the first day of practice.

What Is Rutger McGroarty's Status?

As one of the key players in the 2004 age group, Rutger McGroarty (WPG) desperately wants to play in the World Junior Championship. Coming into Thursday's camp opener, the likelihood of him being able to play after sustaining an injury in mid-November seemed tenuous at best. There are glimmers of optimism, though.

McGroarty participated in Team USA's camp on the ice, sporting a red non-contact jersey. He participated in the goalie skate that preceded practice and also was a participant in most drills during the main practice. McGroarty had only skated with the National Team Development Program in two practices before getting himself on the ice with the best U20 players in the country, but did not look out of place.

The only real noticeable difference was McGroarty was not able to be a full participant in battle drills and other drills that had some contact, but they still had him get in there for a few drills that showed he still has almost 100% full range of motion.

After the practice, McGroarty said he feels "really good" and is "optimistic" about being able to play. He has not yet been cleared for game action by doctors however.

McGroarty also said he spent more than a week in the hospital recovering from his injury sustained after an awkward hit he took against Penn State in mid-November. The important thing he's been working on is conditioning, reengaging muscles after an extended period off and trying to get his full range of motion back.

"We all saw the hit [McGroarty took], so the fact that he's even here at this stage, we're optimistic because that was a tough hit," said head coach David Carle. "For him to even be here is impressive and a success so far. That's a credit to him and the medical team at Michigan and the people surrounding him. Still a lot to be determined there. We're obviously hoping for the best, but we'll continue to evaluate him as camp goes."

Carle would not confirm whether McGroarty has even been cleared for travel at this point. If he is, however, you'd have to think he's going to at least travel to Sweden as USA tries to give him every opportunity to be cleared and play as one of the heart and soul players of the group.

Who Is On The Power Play?

We're only one practice in and there was not a ton of actual line play that we got to see in the practice, but the U.S. did run some special teams with some power play units.

Lane Hutson (MTL), Cutter Gauthier (PHI), Ryan Leonard (WSH), Isaac Howard (TBL) and Gabe Perreault (NYR) made up one unit, while Seamus Casey (NJD), Will Smith (SJS), Jimmy Snuggerud (STL), Frank Nazar (CHI) and Danny Nelson (NYI) made up another. It should be noted, however, that McGroarty is a likely option if healthy and Gavin Brindley (CBJ) was absent from camp Thursday, but is expected to be back in the mix Friday. So don't read a ton into it just yet, things could change.

Regardless of personnel, USA has two units with elite offensive weapons at their disposal. There's a clear effort to create balance between the two units, making sure there are ample trigger men and facilitators on each unit.

What Is The Goaltending Situation?

USA is in a position of strength when it comes to goaltending. Both Trey Augustine (DET) and Jacob Fowler (MTL) are legit No. 1 goalies. Carle said they have not committed to one or the other as the No. 1 for this team and that decision may stretch into the tournament. He said the staff feels like they're in a position of strength at the position and feels like it's the situation they wanted to be in coming into camp based on how both have played throughout the season.

Fowler and Augustine are rooming together in camp and by all accounts have a good relationship. Both obviously want to start and both have a very strong case, but this is something that is unlikely to be settled in camp.

Where Will Cutter Gauthier Play?

Gauthier is a center at Boston College, but he played wing at the last World Juniors and often at the Men's World Championship last spring. He played quite a bit of center on Thursday in camp, though, taking some shifts between McGroarty and Snuggerud in some drills. Carle said he has not committed to where Gauthier will play for this team yet.

We will have to see if underager James Hagens (2025) gets some run at the center spot in camp as he was primarily on the wing Thursday, playing more with depth players than USA's top-line options.

Stray Observations

• As noted earlier, Gavin Brindley (CBJ) was absent from camp Thursday due to a personal matter. He is expected to be joining the team Thursday night and be on the ice for Friday's session. As a returning, versatile player, there's not really any risk of his spot on the team being in question.
• Zeev Buium (2024) has made noticeable improvements in his game and was a force in much of the drills Thursday. His dynamic offensive skill, pace and creativity all were on display. He also showed strength defensively, getting involved more in penalty killing drills. He played a lot with Seamus Casey (NJD) and that very well could be USA's second pairing.
• USA put the BC line together for a few shifts where Will Smith (SJS), Ryan Leonard (WSH) and Gabe Perreault (NYR) all spent time on the same line. It seems like a safe bet they stay together, but there were some other looks as well. It was also interesting that the three of them were split up on the power play units.
• James Hagens (2025) played in a league game Wednesday morning as the U.S. NTDP hosted a school day game against his brother Michael and the Chicago Steel. He then came straight into camp and looked like he belonged, but where he'll end up in the lineup should he make the team remains a mystery.
• Lane Hutson (MTL) looks stronger yet again. He was hard on pucks and has such tremendous footwork that he was very difficult to get around for opposing forwards. He's never going to be confused with a stopper defensively, but his compete level and ability to make things more difficult is notable.
• USA has a lot of good options to fill out their depth. William Whitelaw (CBJ) and Quinn Finley (NYI) played with a lot of different players. Oliver Moore (CHI) did as well. Meanwhile, Danny Nelson (NYI) may be one of the top options for fourth-line center and Gavin Hayes (CHI) seemed to excel in battle drills and on the PK. Hagens and Carey Terrance (ANA) also saw shifts down the lineup and in PK situations. The depth and skill level they have to choose from here gives them good options and some balance.