For the second straight year, Blackhawks prospect Nick Schmaltz will represent Team USA in the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship, USA Hockey announced Wednesday. The 22-player roster consists of 13 forwards, seven defensemen and two goaltenders.
Schmaltz, 19, registered one assist in five tournament outings last year with Team USA, which finished fifth overall, but he's expected to take on a larger role this time around and he's already showing he may be ready for it.
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The Blackhawks' 2014 first-round pick (20th overall) has compiled 26 points (three goals and 23 assists) in 20 games for the University of North Dakota so far this season, matching last year's point total in eight fewer games.