Luke Kunin will wear the "C" for the American entry in the World Junior Hockey Championship.

The Minnesota Wild first-round pick was named captain of the United States team for the 2017 tournament, USA Hockey announced Sunday.

Colin White and Charlie McAvoy were named alternate captains.

"I couldn't be happier to have these three quality guys leading this (dressing) room," head coach Bob Motzko said in a release.

"We've been saying it every day that there's a pulse with this group. We know Luke, Charlie and Colin are at the center of that through their style of play and their tremendous amount of heart. We're fortunate to have them leading this team."

Kunin captained the U.S. Under-18 team to a gold medal at the world championship in 2015. The 19-year-old has 11 goals and 17 points in 16 games with the Wisconsin Badgers in his second college campaign.

Minnesota selected him 15th overall in June.

White was an alternate captain for the bronze medal-winning U.S. squad at last year's tournament. McAvoy was also a member of that team, and was Kunin's teammate on the Under-18 world champions in 2015.

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