Russell Hons/UND Athletics
GRAND FORKS, N.D. (UND Athletics)– University of North Dakota freshman forward Will Zellers has been added to the 2026 U.S. National Junior Team Preliminary Roster, as announced by USA Hockey on Tuesday morning.
Zellers joins teammate EJ Emery and future Fighting Hawk Caleb Heil on the now 29-man roster that is vying to represent the United States in the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship Dec. 26, 2025 – Jan. 5, 2026, in Saint Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The Maple Grove, Minn., native has been one of the nation’s top freshmen this season, as he currently has 10 goals and five assists for 15 points in 16 games. His 10 goals sit second nationally among all rookies while becoming only the second freshman at UND in the last 20 years to reach double-digit goals before Christmas (Brock Boeser, 2015-16).
Zellers was named NCHC Rookie of the Month for November after tying for the league lead with seven goals in seven games. He has eight goals over his last nine games entering this weekend, with UND going 6-0-0 when he scores over that stretch.
No. 4/6 North Dakota will close out 2025 this weekend with a series against Omaha beginning on Friday night at 7:07 p.m. from Ralph Engelstad Arena.
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