The 2014 IIHF World Junior Championship opens Thursday in Malmo, Sweden. The U.S. National Junior Team seeks its second straight gold medal at the tournament and third in five years.

There will be a lot of new faces on the team this year, so it’s not really a true title defense so much as an attempt to continue the American stretch of success at the WJC. You can read a full Team USA preview here.

In this post, you’ll find the vitals on each player including position, height, weight, NHL Draft rights, current team and season statistics to date. Also included is a brief scouting report on each player and where to follow them on Twitter.

Here’s Team USA’s 23 players at a glance.

Players are listed in alphabetical order. Click on player photos for full bios from USAHockey.com. All Photos via USA Hockey.

#11 Riley Barber (Captain) — RW

Height: 5-11 Weight: 185

Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pa.

Current Team (league): Miami University (NCHC)

NHL Rights: Washington Capitals

18 GP, 11-17–28, 18 PIM

Quick report: Gifted scorer who skates with power and is expected to be a top-line scoring threat for Team USA. Won gold with Team USA last season and put up six points in WJC action.

Twitter: @rileybarber94

#4 Will Butcher — D

Height: 5-11, Weight: 175

Hometown: Sun Prairie, Wis.

Current Team: University of Denver (NCHC)

NHL Rights: Colorado Avalanche

17 GP, 3-1–4, 4 PIM

Quick Report: Nimble puck-mover with a good quick shot from the point who isn’t afraid to take risks to create offense.

Twitter: @WillButcher4

#28 Connor Carrick — D

Height: 5-11 Weight: 190

Hometown: Orland Park, Ill.

Current Team: Hershey Bears (AHL)

NHL Rights: Washington Capitals

AHL: 13 GP, 0-4–4, 15 PIM

NHL: 3 GP, 1-0–1, 6 PIM

Quick Report: A puck-moving blueliner with good offensive instincts and vision. Undersized, but good physical strength and doesn’t shy away from the physical game, either. Appeared in three games with the Washington Capitals this year and scored one goal.

Twitter: @connorcarrick

#9 Andrew Copp (Alternate Captain) — C

Height: 6-1 Weight: 205

Hometown: Ann Arbor, Mich.

Current Team: University of Michigan (Big Ten)

NHL Rights: Winnipeg Jets

14 GP, 9-5–14, 8 PIM

Quick Report: Physically strong two-way center who has good sense in both zones, plays a physical game and has enough skill to provide some scoring depth.

Twitter: @Copp94

#35 Thatcher Demko — G

Height: 6-3 Weight: 190

Hometown: San Diego, Calif.

Current Team: Boston College (HEA)

NHL Rights: 2014 Draft-eligible

5 GP, 4-1-1, 2.31 GAA, .911 SV%, 0 SO

Quick Report: Technically-sound netminder who takes up a lot of net and does a good job of keeping things simple and controlled between the pipes.

Twitter: @thatcher_hockey

#14 Thomas Di Pauli — LW

Height: 5-11 Weight: 185

Hometown: Woodridge, Ill.

Current Team: University of Notre Dame (HEA)

NHL Rights: Washington Capitals

8 GP, 1-0–1, 6 PIM

Quick Report: A strong two-way forward who excels in defensive situations, Di Pauli is good in puck pursuit and strong on the puck when he has it. Expected to kill penalties.

Twitter: @Thomasdipauli

#15 Jack Eichel — C

Height: 6-1 Weight: 191

Hometown: North Chelmsford, Mass.

Current Team: U.S. National Under-18 Team (committed to BU)

NHL Rights: 2015 Draft-eligible

22 GP, 19-20–39, 6 PIM

Quick Report: A dynamic offensive talent who combines good size with strong skating, high-end puck skills and elite offensive instincts. Team USA’s youngest forward, but perhaps most offensively gifted and expected to produce.

Twitter: @Jack_Eichel11

#19 Adam Erne — LW

Height: 6-0 Weight: 210

Hometown: New Haven, Conn.

Current Team: Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)

NHL Rights: Tampa Bay Lightning

30 GP, 12-26–38, 45 PIM

Quick Report: A solid producing forward with some power elements to help create offense, Erne has a terrific shot and slick distribution skills to go along with some good quickness. Engages physically and is tuck to knock off the puck. Should be in a top-six role.

Twitter: @Adamerne73

#22 Hudson Fasching — RW

Height: 6-2 Weight: 200

Hometown: Burnsville, Minn.

Current Team: University of Minnesota (Big Ten)

NHL Rights: LA Kings

16 GP, 6-8–14, 12 PIM

Quick Report: A true power forward with tremendous physical strength and good awareness around the net, Fasching is a powerful skater who will throw his big frame around when needed. Has shown more developed puck skills and confidence one-on-one. Likely to play third-line type role.

Twitter: @Hfasching22

#32 Jon Gillies — G

Height: 6-5 Weight: 215

Hometown: South Portland, Maine

Current Team: Providence College (HEA)

NHL Rights: Calgary Flames

15 GP, 10-1-3, 1.88 GAA, .941 SV%, 3 SO

Quick Report: A monster between the pipes, Gillies combines good size with a controlled presence in the net and good athleticism to make those game-saving stops. Returning player from last year’s team who has become one of the best goalies in college hockey over the last two years.

Twitter: @JGillies32

#7 Matt Grzelcyk (Alternate Captain) — D

Height: 5-9 Weight: 175

Hometown: Charlestown, Mass.

Current Team: Boston University (HEA)

NHL Rights: Boston Bruins

17 GP, 2-6–8, 12 PIM

Quick Report: A puck-moving defenseman with a high hockey IQ, Grzelcyk is strong in both ends with a good defensive stick and tremendous distribution skills. Was the final cut from last year’s team, but will play prominent role this time around.

Twitter: @Matt_Grzelcyk5

#21 Ryan Hartman — RW

Height: 5-11 Weight: 190

Hometown: West Dundee, Ill.

Current Team: Plymouth Whalers (OHL)

NHL Rights: Chicago Blackhawks

25 GP, 13-13–26, 44 PIM

Quick Report: A terrific two-way player with a hard edge to him, Hartman can be a force at both ends of the ice due to his physical game and strong puck skills. Returning player from last year’s team who played big defensive role. Will be looked to for more offense this time around in top-six role.

Twitter: @RHartzy18

#13 Vince Hinostroza — C/W

Height: 5-9 Weight: 170

Hometown: Bartlett, Ill.

Current Team: University of Notre Dame (HEA)

NHL Rights: Chicago Blackhawks

12 GP, 3-11–14, 2 PIM

Quick Report: A solid two-way center with a strong on-ice work ethic, Hinostroza plays the game at 100 miles an hour, which makes him tough to defend and effective in both his own zone and in transition. Likely to move to the wing if he makes the final roster and play in a variety of situations.

Twitter: @Hinostroza12

#17 Nic Kerdiles — LW

Height: 6-2 Weight: 196

Hometown: Irvine, Calif.

Current Team: University of Wisconsin (Big Ten)

NHL Rights: Anaheim Ducks

14 GP, 8-9–17, 25 PIM

Quick Report: A skilled forward who is strong on the puck, Kerdiles is an excellent finisher who is difficult to defend and does a nice job finding teammates in the offensive zone. Plays center at Wisconsin, so may take some draws, but will be looked to for production as a top-line wing.

Twitter: @NicKerdiles

#23 Stefan Matteau — LW

Height: 6-1 Weight: 215

Hometown: Chicago, Ill.

Current Team: Albany Devils (AHL)

NHL Rights: New Jersey Devils

25 GP, 6-7–13, 35 PIM

Quick Report: A physically strong forward who plays with some nastiness, Matteau has powerful stride to go along with some solid offensive tools. Has to be careful of taking penalties, but his hard-edge could prove valuable to Team USA in tight, physical contest.

Twitter: N/A

#3 Ian McCoshen — D

Height: 6-2 Weight: 207

Hometown: Hudson, Wis.

Current Team: Boston College (HEA)

NHL Rights: Florida Panthers

16 GP, 3-6–9, 22 PIM

Quick Report: A poised two-way defenseman with great size and strength, McCoshen does a lot well in both zones and keeps things simple. Should end up seeing a lot of power-play time and could be a minutes eater as tournament progresses.

Twitter: @ijmcoshen3

#10 Danny O’Regan — C

Height: 5-10 Weight: 176

Hometown: Needham, Mass.

Current Team: Boston University (HEA)

NHL Rights: San Jose Sharks

17 GP, 5-6–11, 4 pIM

Quick Report: A highly-skilled center with some offensive creativity, O’Regan does a nice job of giving himself time and space and utilizing his linemates. Looks to be Team USA’s top-line center and will be expected to stoke the offense with his playmaking skills.

Twitter: @DannyORegan15

#16 Steven Santini — D

Height: 6-2 Weight: 207

Hometown: Mahopac, N.Y.

Current Team: Boston College (HEA)

NHL Rights: New Jersey Devils

13 GP, 2-4–6, 36 PIM

Quick Report: A highly-mobile defenseman who always takes care of his own end first, Santini has good physicality and terrific defensive instincts that allow him to shut down most opponents. Expect Santini to be one of Team USA’s primary penalty killers on defense and match-up against many top units.

Twitter: N/A

#25 Quentin Shore — C

Height: 6-1 Weight: 185

Hometown: Denver, Colo.

Current Team: University of Denver (NCHC)

NHL Rights: Ottawa Senators

17 GP, 3-10–13, 12 PIM

Quick Report: A heady two-way centerman, Shore has terrific distribution skills and uses his lanky frame well in puck protection and pursuit. Likely to play a bottom-of-the-lineup defensive role, but could provide scoring depth with good finish near the net.

Twitter: @QShore27

#2 Brady Skjei — D

Height: 6-2 Weight: 197

Hometown: Lakeville, Minn.

Current Team: University of Minnesota (Big Ten)

NHL Rights: New York Rangers

16 GP, 2-3–5, 16 PIM

Quick Report: A defense-first defenseman, Skjei is a high-end skater who can get the puck out of trouble with a good first pass or with his feet. He also has a physical element and his offensive game has progressed, but needs to keep things simple in order to be successful.

Twitter: @BradySkjei

#6 Jaccob Slavin — D

Height: 6-3 Weight: 195

Hometown: Erie, Colo.

Current Team: Colorado College (NCHC)

NHL Rights: Carolina Hurricanes

10 GP, 1-6–7, 0 PIM

Quick Report: A very good two-way defenseman with good size, Slavin isn’t overly flashy, but he has good distribution skills and positions himself well in his own zone. Slavin’s versatility gives the U.S. a lot of leeway with how he is used and he could end up seeing more minutes as the tournament progresses.

Twitter: @JSlavin7

#26 Zach Stepan — C/W

Height: 5-11 Weight: 175

Hometown: Hastings, Minn.

Current Team: Minnesota State University (WCHA)

NHL Rights: Nashville Predators

14 GP, 4-4–8, 10 PIM

Quick Report: With good puck skills and some solid hockey sense, Stepan sees the ice well and gets involved in all zones. Stepan is another versatile player who could play his way into various roles due to his good speed and hockey sense if he makes the final roster.

Twitter: @StepanUp25

#29 Anthony Stolarz — G

Height: 6-6 Weight: 220

Hometown: Edison, N.J.

Current Team: London Knights (OHL)

26 GP, 20-3-1, 2.50 GAA, .926 SV%, 3 SO

Quick Report: Though he has a massive frame and may not be as polished as some of his counterparts, Stolarz is extremely quick between the pipes and does a nice job taking away the net. Likely to be Team USA’s primary backup, he’ll have to be ready if Gillies falters, and is more than capable to play solid minutes.

Twitter: @StolieTheGoalie

Team USA’s Preliminary Round Schedule (all times ET)

All games air live on NHL Network, with simultaneous live streaming on NHL.com.

Dec. 26 — vs. Czech Republic — 11:30 a.m.

Dec. 28 — vs. Slovakia — 7:30 a.m.

Dec. 29 — vs. Germany — 9 a.m. ET

Dec. 31 — vs. Canada — 11:30 a.m. ET