USA Hockey has named it’s team for the World Under-18 Hockey Championships beginning Wednesday in Slovakia — with one glaring omission:  Kamloops Blazers standout JP Hurlbert.

The Team USA roster is mostly made up of players from the US National Development Program.

However, two slots are being filled by players currently affiliated with Canadian Hockey League (CHL) teams, namely Brooks Rogowski of the Oshawa Generals and Levi Harper with the Saginaw Spirit.

Hurlbert’s defection to the WHL would see him quickly become one of the league’s top stars.

As a 17-year old rookie, Hurlbert would  put up 97 points this season and is a nominee for both WHL Rookie of the Year & WHL Player of the Year.

Hurlbert left the American Development Program after just one season, which is where the animosity may stem from on the Team USA side, as it generally requires a two-year commitment to sign up.

Those who break that agreement can find themselves facing a hefty bill from Team USA for ‘services not rendered.’

NHL Central Scouting’s Final Rankings released last week has Hurlbert ranked 12th amongst North American skaters – the highest of any US born player heading into the NHL Draft this June.

Meanwhile, Hockey Canada has named it’s final roster for the World U-18’s.

It includes a pair of NCAA players, including defenseman Keaton Verhoeff at the University of North Dakota and forward Tynan Lawrence with Boston University.

Canada’s coaching staff for the U-18 tournament in Slovakia once-again includes Blazers Director of Goaltending Dan De Palma.

He’s serving as Canada’s Goaltending Coach for a third straight World Under 18 Hockey Championship.

De Palma would also serve as a goaltending coach for Team Canada at the most recent U-20 World Junior tournament, bringing home a Bronze medal from Minnesota.

Canada opens the U-18 World Junior tournament on Wednesday against the host Slovakians.