During the holiday break between fall and winter quarters, University of Denver head hockey coach David Carle assumed the prestigious role of head coach for Team USA in Plymouth, Michigan. He will be piloting a talented and deep American U20 team against the world’s hockey powers in the premier show of up-and-coming talent from across the globe. The American squad opened its pre-tournament camp Thursday with 29 candidates vying for 25 roster spots as they compete for a spot on the US team.

The 2024 tournament will be the 48th edition of the IIHF World Junior Championship. Play will begin on December 26 and will end with the gold medal game being played on January 5, 2024. The annual rotating tournament will be played in Gothenburg, Sweden, the country’s seventh time hosting. Canada will be entering the tournament as two-time defending champions. The USA finished third last tournament. Ten countries will compete for the title.

According to Flo Hockey, Denver’s own Zeev Buium “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 second pairing.” Buium is the only Pioneer in camp and with an opportunity to make the final roster.

While it is too early to make final roster decisions, NHL.com is reporting Carle has put together demanding drills for a team that appears to have the talent to win it all. “It’s critical that they’re able to do the things that we’re asking of them,” Carle told NHL.com. “Every drill that we do has a game element and structural element to it with how we want to play. Obviously, we work in bigger components like 5-on-5 scrimmages and drills throughout the camp that extend out into 25-30 seconds. There’s going to be an opportunity to evaluate them on a smaller scale and then a larger scale as well.”

Carle, age 34, is seen as a young rising star across all of hockey, named to The Athletic’s list of 40 Under 40 in hockey. Carle has a head coaching record of 116-53-13, while leading Denver to the NCHC regular season title each of the last two seasons, two Frozen Fours and the national title in 2022.

Team USA’s tournament schedule is shown below: