Former Gophers and Eden Prairie High School player Casey Mittelstadt accepted Hockey USA’s invitation to compete at the world championships in Denmark next month.

Mittelstadt was a first-round draft pick of the Buffalo Sabres in 2017 and signed with the team last month after completing his freshman season at Minnesota. He had a goal and four assists in his first six NHL games.

The center won a bronze medal representing the U.S. at the world junior championships in January.

The U.S. will be coached by Jeff Blashill of the Detroit Red Wings. The team captain will be Patrick Kane of the Chicago Blackhawks.

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