Over the past few years a lot of people have tried to describe Wisconsin defenseman Jake McCabe. He's been characterized as an "old soul," and "wise beyond his years" according to his head coach Mike Eaves. Terms like poise, hockey smarts, and maturity always seem to find their way on his scouting report.

The same qualities that are used to distinguish McCabe are the same ones that epitomize what you're looking for in a leader. It appears that USA hockey feels the same way.

Team USA may not have finalized their roster just yet for the 2013 World Junior Championship, but they've found their captain. On Sunday USA Hockey announced that Badger sophomore Jake McCabe will wear the "C" for the red, white, and blue at the 2013 World Junior Championship.

Alternate captains will be Jacob Trouba (Univ. of Michigan), Seth Jones (Portland, WHL), J.T. Miller (Connecticut, AHL), and Cole Bardreau (Cornell).

The annual tournament features the best under-20 born players in the world, and will take place this year in Ufa, Russia. Competition this season runs from Dec. 26, 2012-Jan. 5, 2013.

USA head coach, and former NHL legend Phil Housley spoke briefly on Sunday about why McCabe was chosen to lead this squad.

"I really liked what he brought in Lake Placid in August," Housley said. "He's just a very calm demeanor in the locker room, on the ice. He says the right things at the right time; I think he can control the locker room."

"He's very mature, probably mature beyond his years."

McCabe is the third player to be named USA captain from Wisconsin in the past four years. Two years ago in Buffalo, N.Y., current Badger captain John Ramage wore the "C" as Team USA skated to a bronze medal. Three years ago former Badger, and current New York Ranger forward Derek Stepan led USA to a gold medal in Saskatchewan, Canada.

The University of Wisconsin has a long history at the World Juniors. Before McCabe, 47 players from the University of Wisconsin had been honored to wear their nations colors at the WJC, many doing so multiple times. Now it's McCabe's turn to carry on that tradition.

McCabe survived a series of cuts along the way in this process. The Eau Claire, Wis. native participated in both the USA festival this summer in Lake Placid, N.Y., and the recent training camp at the MSG training center (home of the N.Y. Rangers).

A two-way mobile defenseman, McCabe is third on the Badgers' in scoring this season with two goals and seven assists for nine points in 16 games. McCabe logs a ton of minutes for Wisconsin, and is one of the most reliable every-night players on the UW roster.

The six-foot-one, two-hundred and five pound McCabe was selected in the NHL draft this summer. The left-handed defenseman was chosen by the Buffalo Sabres in the second round, 44th overall.

Before his time at Wisconsin, McCabe spent two seasons as a member of the U.S. NTDP in Ann Arbor. McCabe was a member of the 2011 United States Under 18 team that won a gold medal at the world championships in Germany.

Wisconsin will also be represented on the coaching staff, and in team management. Former Badger and current Ohio State head coach Mark Osiecki is one of the Team USA assistant coaches. Osiecki was an assistant on the 2010 USA club that won a gold medal in Saskatchewan, Canada. Additionally, former UW player Jim Johannson is Team USA's general manager.

All Team USA games will be broadcast live on the NHL Network, and also shown live online at NHL.com.

The NHL Nework will also broadcast all of Team Canada's preliminary round games, as well as both quarterfinals, both semifinals and both the bronze and gold-medal games, regardless of U.S. participation.

Steve Mears, who handles play-by-play for Pittsburgh Penguins HD Radio, will call all U.S. games in the tournament for the NHL Network, with E.J. Hradek serving as the analyst and Rob Simpson the rink-side reporter.

Wisconsin Badgers to play in the WJC

Jake McCabe (USA) 2013 John Ramage (USA) 2010 (Gold), 2011 (Bronze) Derek Stepan (USA) 2010 (Gold) Jake Gardiner (USA) 2010 (Gold) Ryan McDonagh (USA) 2009 Cody Goloubef (Canada) 2009 (Gold) Kyle Turris (Canada) 2008 Jamie McBain (USA) 2007 (Bronze), 2008 Blake Geoffrion (USA) 2007 (Bronze), 2008 Jack Skille (USA) 2006, 2007 (Bronze) Jake Dowell (USA) 2004 (Gold), 2005 Jeff Likens (USA) 2004 (Gold), 2005 Ryan Suter (USA) 2003, 2004 (Gold), 2005 Dany Heatley (Canada) 2000 (Bronze), 2001 (Bronze) Brad Winchester (USA) 2000 David Tanabe (USA) 1999 Matt Doman (USA) 1999 Dustin Kuk (USA) 1998 Dan Tompkins (USA) 1995 Jim Carey (USA) 1993 Mark Strobel (USA) 1993 Brian Rafalski (USA) 1992 (Bronze), 1993 Chris Tucker (USA) 1992 (Bronze) Sean Hill (USA) 1990 Jason Zent (USA) 1990 Barry Richter (USA) 1989, 1990 Rodger Sykes (USA) 1989 Rob Mendel (USA) 1988 Paul Ranheim (USA) 1986 (Bronze) Scott Mellanby (USA) 1986 (Silver) Mike Richter (USA) 1985, 1986 (Bronze) Gary Suter (USA) 1984 Marty Wiitala (USA) 1984 Tony Granato (USA) 1983, 1984 Jim Johannson (USA) 1983, 1984 Ernie Vargas (USA) 1983 Pat Flatley (Canada) 1983 (Bronze) Tim Thomas (USA) 1982, 1983 Chris Chelios (USA) 1982 Charlie Lundeen (USA) 1982 John Johannson (USA) 1981 Pat Ethier (USA) 1980, 1981 Brian Mullen (USA) 1980, 1981 Lexi Doner (USA) 1980 Todd Lecy (USA) 1980 Peter Johnson (USA) 1979 Ron Griffin (USA) 1978 Scott Lecy (USA) 1978

2013 IIHF World Junior Championship NHL Network-U.S. Schedule

Dec. 26, 2012-Jan. 5, 2013 • Ufa, Russia • Ufa Arena

Date Matchup Time (EST) Replay Time (EST) Live Streaming Thurs., Dec. 20 USA vs. Sweden* 12:30 p.m. -- -- Sat., Dec. 22 Finland vs. USA* 6:00 a.m. -- -- Wed., Dec. 26 Canada vs. Germany

Russia vs. Slovakia 4:30 a.m.

9:00 a.m. 6:30 p.m.

8:00 p.m.

Thurs., Dec. 27 USA vs. Germany 9:00 a.m. 8:00 p.m. NHL.com Fri., Dec. 28 Slovakia vs. Canada

USA vs. Russia 4:30 a.m.

9:00 a.m. 5:30 p.m.

8:00 p.m.

NHL.com Sat., Dec. 29 Russia vs. Germany 9:00 a.m. 5:30 p.m.

Sun., Dec. 30 USA vs. Canada

Germany vs. Slovakia 4:30 a.m.

9:00 a.m. 8:00 p.m.

5:30 p.m. NHL.com

Mon., Dec. 31 USA vs. Slovakia

Canada vs. Russia 5:00 a.m.

9:00 a.m. 8:00 p.m.

5:30 p.m. NHL.com

Wed., Jan. 2 Quarterfinal #1

Quarterfinal #2 4:00 a.m.

8:00 a.m. TBA TBA Thurs., Jan. 3 Semifinal #1

Semifinal #2 4:00 a.m.

8:00 a.m. TBA TBA Sat., Jan. 5 Bronze Medal Game

Gold Medal Game 4:00 a.m.

8:00 a.m. TBA TBA

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