Forward Luke Kunin, the Wild's first-round draft pick last year, will be captain of the 2017 U.S. national junior team, USA Hockey announced Sunday.

Kunin is also captain, as a sophomore, at Wisconsin this season. Forward Colin White of Boston College and defenseman Charlie McAvoy of Boston University will be alternate captains of the junior team.

"We've been saying it every day that there's a pulse with this group," said Bob Motzko, coach of the junior team and of St. Cloud State. "We know Luke, Charlie and Colin are at the center of that through their style of play and their tremendous amount of heart."

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