LAKE PLACID, N.Y. -- Thirty-four of the initial 45 players in attendance at the 2012 USA Hockey National Junior Evaluation Camp will remain to oppose Sweden and Finland in a series of international games here this week.

The players are auditioning for a spot on the U.S. National Junior Team that will take part in the 2013 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship, Dec. 26, 2012-Jan. 5, 2013, in Ufa, Russia.

"The first three days of camp have been impressive and we have been pleased with the players' level of competition," said Jim Johannson, USA Hockey's assistant executive director of hockey operations and the general manager of the 2013 U.S. National Junior Team. "The players being released today are still among those being evaluated for the team in the coming months. For the players retained, this week's upcoming international games in Lake Placid give us an oportunity to further assess their skills."

Among those staying are goalie John Gibson (Pittsburgh, Pa.), and forward J.T. Miller (East Palestine, Ohio), who were members of the 2012 U.S. National Junior Team.

OHL Players at USA Camp:

Goaltenders:

John Gibson (Kitchener Rangers)

Garret Sparks (Guelph Storm)

Defenceman:

Connor Murphy (Sarnia Sting)

Forwards:

Reid Boucher (Sarnia Sting)

Alex Galchenyuk (Sarnia Sting)

J.T Miller (Plymouth Whalers)

Stefan Noesen (Plymouth Whalers)

Vince Trocheck (Saginaw Spirit)

In addition to the 8 current OHL players, two players that have already committed to OHL clubs for the 2012-13 season also remain at camp including defencemen Patrick Sieloff (Windsor Spitfires), and forward Ryan Hartman (Plymouth Whalers).

Team USA will face Finland Wednesday August 8 at 4:00 pm, and compete against Sweden on Thursday August 9 at 4:00 pm, before wrapping up with another contest against Finland on Saturday August 11 at 1:00 pm.

Click here for full details about the camp including live scoring and webcast options.