MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – University of Minnesota freshman defenseman Mike Reilly has been selected to skate for the U.S. squad at the upcoming 2013 World Junior Championship in Ufa, Russia.

Reilly, a Chanhassen native, leads all Gophers freshman and is second in the WCHA among rookie defensemen. He has two goals and eight assists on the season. His selection means the Gophers have had at least one player on every U.S. national team for the World Junior Championships since 1992.

Gophers assistant coach Grant Potulny will be an assistant for the team this year. The U.S. team opens play at 8 p.m. Thursday against Germany.