Rising sophomore defenseman Adam Kleber from the University of Minnesota Duluth is determined to leave a significant mark at the upcoming IIHF World Junior Championship. Reflecting on his experience from the 2025 tournament in Ottawa, Canada, Kleber vividly recalls standing on the blue line, singing the national anthem of the United States. This memory drives him as he participates in USA Hockey’s World Junior Summer Showcase held on the University of Minnesota campus in Minneapolis.
The summer showcase features teams from the United States, Canada, Finland, and Sweden, with exhibition games taking place at Ridder Arena through Saturday. This event is crucial as it forms part of the national team selection process for the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship, scheduled for December and January at Mariucci Arena in Minneapolis and the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.
Kleber’s Aspirations for the Upcoming Season
Kleber, a second-round draft pick of the Buffalo Sabres in 2024, is focused on enhancing his performance ahead of the championship. He expressed his desire to experience the joy of representing his country, stating, “You don’t want to be singing any other team’s national anthem. That’s a real motivator, especially having it be in Minnesota.” The U.S. team is in pursuit of a third consecutive gold medal, and Kleber is aiming to secure his second.
This week’s activities are not just about competition; they serve as an opportunity for Kleber to demonstrate to the coaching staff, led by Bob Motzko, his readiness to assume a more impactful role in the 2026 tournament compared to his previous performance, which included a single assist in six games. “I’m just trying to take a bigger role, trying to command more on the ice and have more of a killer mentality out there,” he noted.
Physically, Kleber has made notable improvements. The 6-foot-5, 210-pound defenseman has increased his strength and size since his freshman year, during which he recorded two goals and three assists in 33 games. He dedicated his summer to workouts in the Twin Cities, focusing on his strength and mobility rather than just skating. “Just a big, strong, positive presence,” Motzko remarked on Kleber’s growth. “All these teams are going to say returning players take that next step. For us, it’s those kids who come back for their sophomore year of college that take those big steps.”
Upcoming Challenges and Preparations
Kleber’s participation in the split-squad games against Sweden and Finland this past Sunday and Monday marked his first competitive hockey since the Bulldogs’ season concluded on March 15, 2025, at Arizona State in the NCHC quarterfinals. Following these exhibitions, the U.S. team will unify for more games on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday at Ridder Arena.
As the Bulldogs prepare for the upcoming season, which kicks off with a trip to play the Alaska Nanooks in Fairbanks on October 3-4, Kleber is eager to transition from training to gameplay. “It’s getting to the point where I’m hitting the wall in the offseason with working out,” he said. “You just want to start playing games and get the season rolling.”
With the World Junior Championship on the horizon, Kleber’s commitment and growth signal a promising future for both him and the U.S. team as they aim for gold.