Leafs prospect cut from US World Junior team after huge season

A fifth round pick of the Leafs in 2021, 19-year-old left winger Ty Voit was among the cuts yesterday at Team USA's World Junior selection camp. The most recent round of cuts has USA's roster down to 27 with just a few cuts to go before the roster is finalized.

Voit, who was not invited to last year's camp, put up 80 points in 67 games last year with the OHL's Sarnia Sting and earned himself an invite to the make-up camp. At 5'10 and listed at only 161 pounds, Voit took a step forward in his development and, while he won't be on the 2022 US World Junior team, there is a chance that he finds his way onto the 2023 team for the annual December tournament. For that to happen though, he would need to have a strong start to his third season with the Sarnia Sting. Even then, he is considered to be a "long shot" to make the next rendition of Team USA.

It's not all bad news for Leaf prospects though, as Matthew Knies is a lock for the August tournament. The hulking winger/center has been skating on the top line for the entire USA development camp and will be relied upon to be a key contributor. With an October birthday, this will be Knies' last go-round with the World Junior team as he will be over the age limit come the December tournament.