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PLYMOUTH, Mich. — The United States won’t pick its team for the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship until December, but coach David Carle already knows goaltending will be a strength.

Two goalies, Trey Augustine (Detroit Red Wings) and Sam Hillebrandt (2025 draft eligible), started at the World Junior Summer Showcase on July 26 at the USA Hockey Arena. Both were part of the team that struck gold at the 2024 WJC. Additionally, Augustine and Hampton Slukynsky (Los Angeles Kings) were also attendees of the previous year’s WJSS.

“Clearly, we are fortunate to have great depth,” Carle stated on Thursday. “It begins with Trey at the helm. This is a slight shift from last year when there was some struggle. Not that there won’t be any this year, but Trey has shown great promise during his tenure. We also have other players who have showcased their skills during their respective moments. I believe the competition will continue throughout the fall and into the college and junior seasons.”

19-year-old Augustine achieved a 4-0-0 record with a 1.75 goals-against average and a .936 save percentage in four games at the 2024 WJC. He was among the seven returning players dismissed early from the WJSS, enabling the coaches to evaluate more players.

Though he hasn’t officially been named the starting player, Augustine’s impressive record, including a gold and bronze medal at the 2023 World Juniors, a gold medal at the 2023 IIHF Under-18 World Championship, and his experience from the 2024 IIHF World Championship, leads to expectations that he will be the main starter in the upcoming tournament in Ottawa, which runs from December 26 to January 5.

“Reflecting on Trey and his game, I’m not sure I’ve ever encountered a goalie with better analytical skills in terms of game-reading,” stated U.S. goaltending coach David Lassonde. “Moreover, his ability to recognize and actively work on his shortcomings is remarkable.”

Reflecting on it, this is set to be his third back-to-back World Junior experience. He has been a part of our men’s Worlds team. His victories include two gold medals in IIHF competition, and he was a national champion at the U-15 level with the HoneyBaked youth program. It’s clear that he possesses a winning mindset, which I believe significantly contributes to his value as a player. On top of these accomplishments, he exhibits a level of maturity that surpasses his age.

Hillebrandt, aged 19, served as the third goalie for the 2024 team but didn’t play in any games. Last season, he had a record of 16-15-2, a 3.67 goals against average (GAA), and a save percentage of .899 in 36 games with the Ontario Hockey League’s Barrie team.

He is aspiring for a more significant role in the 2025 WJC, and his motivation has been enhanced by not being selected in the 2024 NHL Draft.

“Undeniably,” stated Hillebrandt, “It’s a universal desire to be drafted, but sadly I wasn’t that lucky. Therefore, I’m in the gym and on the ice daily, always keeping in mind my drive to prove everyone wrong, to show them why I should have been picked in the draft.”

Lassonde identifies confidence as the most significant area of improvement in Hillebrandt’s game.

Lassonde shared his belief in the importance of confidence in a goalie’s growth. He asserted that Sammy’s feeling of belonging, evident from his return to the team this summer after having made the team last year, significantly contributed to his confidence. Lassonde added that Sammy’s impressive performance in the OHL playoff series against Oshawa – despite the team’s 4-2 loss – particularly in the two games where he was named a star, had a significant impact on boosting his confidence over the summer.

In terms of his game’s growth, I see it more from a confidence perspective for him.

Last year, 19-year-old Slukynsky was competing with Hillebrandt for a spot on the tournament roster. However, USA Hockey thought it would be more beneficial for him to remain with the United States Hockey League’s Fargo team and compete in the 2024 World Junior A Challenge. In this competition, he achieved a 3.00 GAA and .872 save percentage over five games, contributing to the U.S. team’s bronze medal win.

The path was similar to the one USA Hockey took with Jacob Fowler, a goalie prospect with the Montreal Canadiens. Fowler went from playing in the 2023 World Junior A Challenge to serving as Augustine’s backup at the 2024 WJC.

“Hampton’s drive is one thing that gives him a chance,” said Lassonde. “He’s not only coachable and athletic but also quick. I firmly believe he has a fantastic mindset about it.”

Slukynsky stated that his experiences from the previous season have made him feel more comfortable at the WJSS this year.

“He said, ‘Last year, I came here straight from high school, which was a huge leap. It truly opened my eyes. This year, having interacted with nearly everyone here, either as teammates or opponents, my confidence has increased significantly. I feel more at ease and have adapted to the skill levels.'”

The other two U.S. goalies present here, Nicholas Kempf from Washington Capitals (aged 18) and Carsen Musser from Utah Hockey Club (aged 19), are rookies in the World Junior level. However, they have both faced older, more experienced competition in the last season. Kempf played with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program Under-18 team, while Musser played with Madison of the USHL after being part of the NTDP U-18 team in the 2022-23 season.

Lassonde stated, “Participating in the USHL undoubtedly assists in that situation. I believe they have handled the slightly quicker pace of the game impressively, encompassing not just the physical aspect, but also the mental aspect.”

The rest of the WJSS, including games against Sweden on Friday and Canada on Saturday, along with practices, will serve as an opportunity for the four remaining goalies to prove their worth to play in the tournament. Once the season starts in the fall, each goalie will be closely monitored.

They are beginning to realize the opportunity to play a significant role in the World Juniors.

“Growing up, I used to watch it a lot,” Kempf, who will be playing at Notre Dame this season, shared. “I never really considered how close I could be to it, and that realization is just starting to sink in. The effort to make that team begins now.”