USA VS CZECH REPUBLIC HISTORY
The U.S. and the Czech Republic have met eight previous times at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. Team USA is 7-1-0-1 (W-OTW-OTL-L) all-time, and has outscored the Czech Republic 37-21 in those meetings. The two countries most recently clashed in the opening game of last year's preliminary round, where the U.S. won 5-2. Jack Hughes (Orlando, Fla.) netted two goals in the victory.

USA VS CANADA RED EXHIBITION RECAP
The U.S. fell to Canada Red, 5-2 Thursday night in its exhibition game. Daniyal Dzhaniyev (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and Eamon Powell (Marcellus, N.Y.) netted goals in the loss.

TEAM USA LEADERSHIP
Jake Sanderson (Whitefish, Mont.) will serve as team captain at the 2018 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.

WORLD U17 CHALLENGE HISTORY
The U17s have won the World Under-17 Challenge five times since 2001, last winning victory coming in 2017. During that tournament, the U.S. Under-17 Team went 7-0-0-0 in Dawson Creek, British Columbia. The U17s finished in seventh place in its last tournament held in New Brunswick in 1995 with a 2-2-1 overall record. Team USA has finished in the top three 15 times; first place in November 2017, 2014, 2010, 2002 and 2001; second place in November 2014, 2012, 2011, 2008, 2006, 1998 and 1996. Last year the U.S. finished in first place.