Team USA WCOH Spotlight: The Defensemen

If you haven’t yet heard, the World Cup of Hockey makes its return in September after a 12-year absence. Team USA will hold its pre-tournament training camp (and exhibition game against Canada on Sept. 9) in Columbus at Nationwide Arena, and to get you properly prepared, we’re breaking down the American roster.

Next up: the defense.

Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella leads Team USA into this World Cup, featuring a group of American-born players who can do a little but of everything. To get you up to speed on who you can expect to see lacing it up for the stars and stripes, we’re going to break down the roster by position. Today, we’ll focus on the defensemen.

Jack Johnson | Columbus Blue Jackets

One of two familiar faces Blue Jackets fans will see on the ice when Team USA is in town (along with Brandon Dubinsky), Johnson will be representing his country at the highest level for the third time in his professional career. The former No. 3 overall pick played for the United States in both the Winter Olympics and IIHF World Championship, and is set to start his sixth season with the Blue Jackets this fall.

Dustin Byfuglien | Winnipeg Jets

A five-time All-Star, Byfuglien has enjoyed a solid career as a two-way defenseman despite spending some time as a forward, as well. In 2015-16, he finished fifth in goals and eighth in points among all defensemen in the NHL. But beyond his scoring and …

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