William Lockwood invited to U.S. World Juniors Preliminary Roster

Another Canucks prospect has been added to a World Junior training camp, as 2016 3rd round pick William Lockwood has been invited by the United States for the 2018 World Juniors in Buffalo:

His addition to the camp isn’t a huge surprise as he was an invite to the summer showcase for the Americans but was unable to participate due to recovery from surgery that occured earlier in the spring. He returned to the University of Michigan lineup this year and has four goals and seven assists in 14 games for the Wolverines.

I do feel that Lockwood has a legitimate chance to make the team as a depth player because of the way he plays. He is a tenacious forechecker who isn’t afraid to take the body. He is able to use his speed to create offence and push defenders back. In a short tournament like the World Juniors, having depth players that can fill specific roles while being able to move up and down your lineup can pay huge dividends.

The U.S. training camp begins December 15th in Columbus and concludes with a pair of exhibition games on December 20th against Belarus and December 22nd against Sweden.

With Lockwood and Olli Juolevi (Finland) being named to their respective countries, the Canucks have two prospects that should be there to represent the Canucks. Sweden and Canada are expected to announce their invites tomorrow with Elias Pettersson, Jonah Gadjovich, and Michael DiPietro almost certainly being added to the list of Canucks prospects vying for positions. Kole Lind may also get an invite to Team Canada’s roster, but may not due to just returning from mono.