Earlier this week, Miami freshman center Austin Czarnik was invited to attend the United States’ World Junior Team camp meaning he has an opportunity to earn a spot on Team USA’s U-20 team and play for his country.

The International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship is the most prestigious junior tournament in the world and includes the best hockey players under twenty years old on the planet. This year’s tournament will be held December 26, 2011 – January 5, 2012, in Calgary and Edmonton, Alta.

Last year, the United States hosted in Buffalo, N.Y. and did so as the defending champions. However, the red, white and blue were unable to defend their crown and instead settled for bronze by defeating Sweden in the bronze medal game. In doing so, the U.S. medaled for the second consecutive year for the first time in our nation’s hockey history.

Czarnik will be one of 29 players who attend camp hoping to earn a roster spot with the goal to run the U.S. streak to three consecutive years to earn hardware. The team will head to camp in Camrose, Alta. on December 17 and the final U.S. National Junior Team roster is expected to be released on December 22, 2011.

Congratulations, Austin!