Level Green native selected for USA Hockey's preliminary roster for World Juniors

San Jose Sharks forward prospect Brandon Svoboda, a native of Level Green, was selected for the U.S. National Junior Team’s preliminary roster in advance of the upcoming International Ice Hockey Federation’s World Junior Championship tournament which begins later this month.

USA Hockey announced that roster via a release Monday.

A total of 28 players were named to the preliminary roster. That figure will be trimmed to 25 for the tournament, which will be staged in Ottawa between Dec. 26 and Jan. 5.

Svoboda, 19, is in the middle of his freshman year at Boston University. Appearing in nine games this season, the right-hander has scored three goals.

The Sharks selected Svoboda (6-foot-3, 210 pounds) in the third round (No. 71 overall) in the 2023 NHL Draft. He was a member of the two teams to win the United States Hockey League’s Clark Cup each of the past two seasons, the Youngstown Phantoms (2023) and the Fargo Force (2024).

Two Pittsburgh Penguins prospects, defenseman Harrison Brunicke and forward Tanner Howe, were selected to Canada’s preliminary roster.

A total of 32 players were named to that group Monday.

Both players were second-round draft picks during the NHL Draft in June.

Brunicke was selected No. 44 overall. The right-hander is currently playing for the Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League (WHL). An undisclosed injury has limited Brunicke (6-foot-3, 191 pounds) to 15 games and 12 points (three goals, nine assists).

Howe was drafted two selections after Brunicke. A left-handed shot, Howe (5-foot-11, 182 pounds) is currently skating for the Calgary Hitmen of the WHL. In 14 games, Howe, also hobbled by an undisclosed ailment in October, has posted 15 points (nine goals, six assists).

Both players are signed to three-year entry-level contracts but those deal will not begin until they turn professional.