GRAND FORKS, N.D. – University of North Dakota freshman forward Nick Schmaltz has made the final U.S. National Junior Team roster and will represent the United States in the 2015 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Junior Championships that begins today in Canada.

Team USA will begin tournament play today against Finland at 2 p.m. Central. The game can be seen live on the NHL Network U.S. and will be streamed live in the United States at NHL.com.

Schmaltz, a native of Verona, Wis., was one of 13 forwards named to the 23-man roster by USA Hockey on Thursday night. In 15 games for second-ranked North Dakota this season, he has three goals and 12 assists and is one of only two National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) rookies averaging a point per game or better.

Schmaltz will become the 37th different UND player to participate in the World Junior Championships and the 27th different player to represent the United States.

The 2015 IIHF World Junior Championships take place through Jan. 5 in Toronto and Montreal. For more information, visit www.usahockey.com.

UND's World Junior Championship Participants

1974:  Dave Geving (USA)

1979:  Dave Christian (USA), Mike Stone (USA)

1981:  Mark Huglen (USA), Craig Ludwig (USA)

1982:  Jon Casey (USA), Troy Murray (CAN), James Patrick (CAN)

1983:  James Patrick (CAN), Gord Sherven (CAN), Rick Zombo (USA)

1984:  Scott Sandelin (USA)

1985:  Brad Berry (CAN)

1987:  Lee Davidson (USA)

1988:  Lee Davidson (USA)

1989:  Geoff Smith (CAN)

1990:  Jason Herter (CAN)

1991:  Chris Gotziaman (USA), Greg Johnson (CAN)

1992:  Brad Bombardir (CAN), Marty Schriner (USA)

1994:  Toby Kvalevog (USA)

 1995:  Landon Wilson (USA)

2001:  David Hale (USA)

2003:  Matt Greene (USA), Matt Jones (USA), Zach Parise (USA), Rastislav Spirko (SVK)

2004:  Brady Murray (USA), Zach Parise (USA), Rastislav Spirko (SVK), Drew Stafford (USA)

2005:  Brian Lee (USA), Drew Stafford (USA)

2006:  Taylor Chorney (USA), Brian Lee (USA), T.J. Oshie (USA), Jonathan Toews (CAN)

2007:  Taylor Chorney (USA), Brian Lee (USA), Jonathan Toews (CAN)

2009:  Danny Kristo (USA)

2010:  Danny Kristo (USA)

2011:  Derek Forbort (USA), Brock Nelson (USA)

2012:  Derek Forbort (USA)

2013:  Rocco Grimaldi (USA)

2015:  Nick Schmaltz (USA)

Italics indicates gold medalist