Team USA will be without one of its projected top-six forwards for the 2026 World Juniors. Trevor Connelly, winger for the Henderson Silver Knights and a first-round pick of the Vegas Golden Knights, has been ruled out for the World Juniors due to injury, according to USA Hockey.

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Connelly sustained a lower-body injury in Sunday’s pre-tournament game against Germany, which USA won 8-0. Oddly enough, Connelly also sustained a lower-body injury during USA’s summer training camp that had him sidelined for the first few months of the season. He had only been back for 11 games with Henderson before leaving for USA camp.

With his injury, USA will now have to cut just one forward from its camp roster, but the loss of Connelly is a significant one considering he is a player with WJC experience and likely to play a more prominent role this season. Additionally, he had a spot on Team USA's power play that will now open up a slot for someone else. There was certainly an expectation that Connelly would be a prominent secondary scoring option for the Americans. 

In his 11 games with Henderson, Connelly had produced seven points and appeared to be growing more comfortable with the pro game.

USA does have some good solutions, though. Connelly’s absence likely means an elevated role for Nashville Predators first-rounder Ryker Lee, who was one of USA’s best players in the pre-tournament game against Germany. USA also got a good performance out of North Dakota freshman Will Zellers and this may more firmly solidify his place on the final roster. He may even get a look with that open power play spot with how much he has been scoring of late.

In addition to losing Connelly for the tournament, Team USA also cut London Knights defenseman Henry Brzustewicz, a first-round pick of the Los Angeles Kings, and will now need to cut just one more blueliner to get down to the 22 skaters they will be allowed to carry at the tournament.

The U.S. has one more pre-tournament game before making their final roster decisions. They’ll meet Finland at 7 p.m. ET.

Team USA World Junior Championship 2026 Schedule

Friday, December 26

• 6:00 p.m. ET - Germany vs USA

Saturday, December 27

• 6:00 p.m. ET - USA vs Switzerland

Monday, December 29

• 6:00 p.m. ET - Slovakia vs USA

Wednesday, December 31

• 6:00 p.m. ET - USA vs Sweden

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