MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – The University of Minnesota announced Tuesday that two hockey players have been selected to play for the U.S. National Team in the upcoming World Junior Championships.

Gophers freshmen Mike Reilly and Brady Skjei have been placed on the preliminary roster, according to USA Hockey. They will head to training camp in New York Dec. 16-18, and the final roster will be announced Dec. 23. The World Junior Championships will be held in Ufa, Russia, from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5, 2013.

If they both make the final roster for the U.S. National Team, Reilly and Skjei would miss the Mariucci Classic.

Reilly leads all Gophers freshmen with eight points. The Chanhassen native is a 2011 fourth round draft choice of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

In 14 games this season, Skjei has two points. He is a first round draft pick of the New York Rangers and spent two years with the U.S. National Developmental Program in Ann Arbor, Mich., after playing two seasons at Lakeville North.