One step closer to Minnesota 👏 The preliminary roster for the 2026 U.S. National Junior Team is here! 🇺🇸 Details: bit.ly/4pddDve
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Oilers prospect Asher Barnett selected for preliminary Team USA World Juniors roster
Photo credit: Rena Laverty/USA Hockey
Dec 2, 2025, 10:00 ESTUpdated: Dec 2, 2025, 10:39 EST
On Monday, USA Hockey released their preliminary roster for the upcoming edition of the IIHF World Junior Championship. Named as one of 10 defenders selected is Edmonton Oilers’ prospect Asher Barnett.
Asher Barnett was selected early in the fifth round of the 2025 NHL entry draft by the Oilers from the United States National Team Development Program. Edmonton traded for the pick from the Nashville Predators in exchange for their own pick later that same round. In Elite Prospects‘ 2025 draft guide, they wrote on Barnett:
Bringing a little bit of everything defensively, Barnett wins his minutes with transition passing, physicality, and defensive details. He punishes net-front attackers with crosschecks and then detaches to intercept the puck carrier behind the net for a stop. He wins inside position, proactively engages opponents, and tips away passes – all key traits for strong off-puck defenders moving forward.
Originally from Chicago, Barnett brings presence on the blue line at 6-foot-1, 198 lb., still with size to gain. This season, Barnett began playing in the NCAA with the University of Michigan. In 18 appearances with the Wolverines so far, the 18-year-old has eight assists, playing on the third pairing and earning penalty-killing minutes.
Barnett has never played in the World Juniors before, but has appeared in multiple junior competitions with Team USA. In last year’s IIHF World U18 Championship, he put up two goals and four assists in seven games, as the US finished with bronze. After the tournament, Daily Faceoff’s Steven Ellis wrote the following on the young defender:
The Americans lack a high-end producer like the Hutson brothers of days past. But Barnett helped fill the gap at this tourney. He’s good as a distributor, and seems to always be looking to create something. He’s not big, but he’s got some muscle to him. The U-18 captain put up modest numbers with the USNTDP this year but this felt like some of his best hockey – especially against Switzerland where he looked unstoppable by the blueline. I could see a team banking on his upside in the middle rounds.
For more on Barnett, read Oilersnation’s Spencer Pomoty’s break down of his game and why he could be an asset for Edmonton down the line. The World Juniors kick off on Boxing Day from St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota.
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