GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Current sophomore defenseman EJ Emery and future goaltender Caleb Heil have been named to the 28-man 2026 U.S. National Junior Team Preliminary Roster, as announced by USA Hockey on Monday morning.
 
Players are auditioning for a spot on the final 25-player roster that will represent the United States in the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship Dec. 26, 2025 – Jan. 5, 2026, in Saint Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota.
 
Emery has put together a strong sophomore campaign on the backend for the Fighting Hawks, having appeared in 13 of the team's 14 games. The Compton, Calif., native has struck for two goals and added two assists for four points – including scoring a pair of goals in the 5-2 victory over Minnesota while also sitting second on the team among blueliners with a plus-5 rating.
 
Heil has once again been a stalwart between the pipes for Madison in the USHL this season, holding a 10-4-0 record with a 2.60 goals against average, an .891 save percentage and one shutout. This past June, Heil was the first UND goaltender since 2016 to be selected in the NHL Draft when he went in the seventh round to the Tampa Bay Lightning and helped the Bolts to a preseason shootout victory in September.
 
"We're excited about the group of players we've named," said John Vanbiesbrouck, general manager of the 2026 U.S. National Junior Team and also the assistant executive director of hockey operations for USA Hockey. "It's always difficult to narrow it down, but we're set for what we know will be a very competitive camp that will help us get to our final roster."
 
The final U.S. roster is expected to be announced by Dec. 24. Team USA has medaled in eight of the last ten tournaments, including gold in 2024 and 2025.
 
For more information on North Dakota hockey, follow on social media @UNDmhockey or visit FightingHawks.com.