Habs prospect should be part of the American team for the Olympics
The men's Olympic tournament will definitely have a World Junior Championship flavour this year. Somewhat in line with what Canada is going to do, USA Hockey would have chosen to include a few players from the under-20 roster who had to play the WJC during the holidays with the American Olympic roster.
Young Matthew Beniers, Jake Sanderson, Matthew Knies and Brock Faber are all on the US preliminary list, according to Frank Seravalli. They will have a chance to recover after seeing the World Junior Championship cancelled for COVID-19 safety reasons.
Among the other invited players on this preliminary list, we can note the presence of a former Canadiens player in the person of Kenny Agostino, who now plays in the KHL. Strauss Mann (23) is the only goalkeeper on the list.
A few additional players will be added in the coming weeks to complete the formation that will defend the colors of Uncle Sam's country in Beijing, in February, and a prospect of the Canadiens will probably be part of this next wave of selection.
Indeed, according to Grant McCagg, this time the Habs' third-round pick (71st overall) in 2018, Jordan Harris, would have a very good chance of competing. Currently playing his fourth campaign with the University of Northeastern, Harris has so far scored 11 points (two goals) in 18 games, in addition to maintaining a +10 differential.
The 21-year-old back was even described as the «best defenseman in the country» by head coach Jerry Keefe in November 2021. So it would make sense that he would have the opportunity to participate in the Olympic tournament, in the absence of the NHL players.
