The U.S. National Junior Team announced the 28 players that have been named to the preliminary roster for the 2018 World Junior Championship.

The 28 players named that are trying out for the final 23 roster spots included seven members from 2017's gold medal-winning U.S. National Junior team.

"This is an accomplished, versatile group of players that has experience winning across all levels of hockey and intends to do so this year on home ice," said Jim Johannson, USA Hockey's assistant executive director of hockey operations and the general manager of the 2018 U.S. National Junior team. "There is a specific style of play [U.S. head coach Bob] Motzko and his staff intend to utilize, and while there are still some difficult decisions to make, our staff is excited to begin identfiying a roster that can ultimately win a gold medal in Buffalo."

Among the returning invitees are forwards Joey Anderson, Kieffer Bellows, Patrick Harper and defenceman Adam Fox. First-time invitees include highly-touted prospect Brady Tkachuk and forward Kailer Yamamoto. Yamamoto began the season with the Edmonton Oilers, collecting three assists in nine games before being sent back to the Spokane Chiefs of the WHL on Nov. 6.

The players will attend traning camp from Dec. 15-19 and the final roster is expected to be announced on Dec. 23.

The Americans will begin their gold medal defence against Denmark on Dec. 26 in Buffalo.