Zellers has four goals and two assists in the first three games of round-robin play at the 50th annual World Junior Championship, playing in his home state at Grand Casino Arena.

“It’s so cool to be in this position now and know that I’ve always dreamed of playing in this tournament,” Zellers said, following USA’s 6-5 win over Slovakia in the preliminary round Monday. “Growing up, I wanted to play in the World Juniors before I wanted to play in the Olympics.

“That’s how big this tournament, how much it means to us. It’s just so special to be on this team, especially, it’s so much fun having it in Minnesota, too.”

Zellers, a Maple Grove native, takes a little extra pride in the prestigious tournament not only being held in the United States but also only minutes from where he grew up. Zellers is one of a few USA players with Minnesota connections, whether it be their home state or where they’re playing college hockey. He added that they’re feeding off the atmosphere and hometown support.

He noticed a kid during warm-ups who was wearing a Maple Grove sweatshirt, and of course he also has plenty of family and friends around supporting him.

“It’s so special to know you’re backed by kids that you were in their shoes not too long ago,” Zellers said. “It for sure motivates us and adds fuel to the fire and gives us for sure an extra step having 20,000 people have our backs.”

USA opened the tournament with a 6-3 win over Germany, followed by a 2-1 win over Switzerland the next night.

Against Slovakia, USA found itself in a 2-0 hole after the first period after an even-strength and power-play goal 2:22 apart. USA had no choice but to climb out of it in the final two periods, and they started with a four-goal second period.

Brendan McMorrow celebrates his goal against Slovakia to make it a one-goal game on Dec. 29, 2025 at Grand Casino Arena. (MHM Photo / Rick Olson)

Zellers’ linemate Brendan McMorrow slid a perfect pass over to AJ Spellacy off a two-on-one rush. Spellacy’s tap-in goal came shorthanded to get USA on the board just 1 minute, 50 seconds into the second period. McMorrow added his own goal to cut into the deficit again, for a 3-2 game.

McMorrow is from Lakeville, Minn., noting that he grew up “30 minutes down the road.” He has a lot of family attending the tournament, and it’s been fun to play in front of them, he added. USA coach Bob Motzko noted the Minnesota support from over the weekend, saying “the whole city of Lakeville was here.”

“I think in that first game, we came out and we were all just looking around just smiling, how cool it was. Towels waving and stuff,” McMorrow said. “With the crowd behind us, it definitely boosts us a little bit. And it’s been really fun so far to have this tournament in Minnesota, in our country.”

With the game tied 4-4 through two periods, USA got off to a fast start in the third which proved to be the difference. James Hagens put them up 5-4 only 18 seconds into the period. Then Zellers scored a power-play goal within the first five minutes for insurance that turned out to be a very important tally.

He got a pass from Brodie Ziemer, USA’s captain from Chaska, Minn. who plays college hockey for the Minnesota Gophers, on the backdoor. Zellers was left alone, and he didn’t miss his shot.

“Zellers gets another one,” Motzko said. “I heard it was his third game-winner already. Those greasy goals, he finds a way to get them.”

Will Zellers winds up to shoot the puck past Slovakia defenders on Dec. 29, 2025 at Grand Casino Arena. (MHM Photo / Rick Olson)

Zellers is just the latest Maple Grove product to shine at the WJC. He watched Brock Faber, current Minnesota defenseman, play in the 2021 and 2022 tournaments, winning gold in 2021. Last year, Zellers saw his friend and Maple Grove native and defenseman Colin Ralph win the gold medal at the WJC. Zellers and Ralph grew up together, and both played at Shattuck-St. Mary’s.

Contributing to his team on this level, on the big stage of the WJC is something Zellers said his 10-year-old self probably wouldn’t think is real and would be “freaking out a little bit.”

“You never know at that age how far you’re going to go in hockey,” Zellers said.

He added that he wasn’t the best in hockey at that age, wasn’t on the top teams, making the position he’s in now even more special.

His scoring spree started this fall at the University of North Dakota, where he’s tallied 10 goals and 15 points in 18 games so far as a freshman. Not much has changed with his game, Zellers said, but he feels like the biggest thing is he has more confidence. More production on the ice certainly helps confidence rise, too.

“Every player in this tournament is so good,” Zellers said. “I feel like one of the biggest things that separates a good player form a great player is just the confidence that you get from playing and the confidence that you get from coaches.

“I feel like once you start questioning yourself, that’s when things go south, so just making sure I know that I can pay here and I belong here.”

Gallery: WJC Preliminary Round Slovakia vs. USA

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Despite not seeing any USHL action last spring, Zellers previously scored in his USHL debut – April 11, 2023 – and came into this season averaging a goal-per-game with the Green Bay Gamblers.

While it’s a pace that seems unsustainable over a full season, Zellers is flirting with exactly that through 36 games.

“I didn’t really know what to expect with it being my first full year here, but I came in with an open mind and just wanted to produce for my team and help us win hockey games,” Zellers said. “So it’s gone pretty well, individually and as a team, and I’m having a ton of fun so far.”

Pretty well is an understatement for Zellers, as the North Dakota commit leads the USHL with 32 goals and his 52 points rank third.

Zellers – a third-round pick (2024) of the Colorado Avalanche – hasn’t gone more than two consecutive games without a point and has 16 multi-point efforts. He’s also coming off a six-point (3-3-6) week and leads the league with six game-winning tallies.

After missing Green Bay’s first four games in September, he returned on Oct. 4, scoring three goals over his first two games. He’s continued producing from there.

“In the beginning it was pretty tough and it’s a big jump from the U18 level to the USHL, and obviously I was still coming back from my injury too,” Zellers said. “You get a lot less time and space with the puck and in the corner, and the guys are faster, stronger and more mature. So you have to adjust to that and be at your best every shift. But I think I’ve been able to adjust pretty well.”

It’s no secret the fast start helped Zellers’ confidence and it’s continued to grow. He’s been a factor every night for the Gamblers, even going back to his debut.

Green Bay’s staff has always liked his offensive instincts and competitiveness – which led them to select him in the 2022 USHL Phase I Draft.

He’s flashed both of those traits this season and as each game goes by, he only makes that pick look better.

“You look at his numbers and what he’s doing from an offensive standpoint, and honestly, it’s incredible,” said Green Bay head coach Pat McCadden. “Coming into this season he was no-contact in training camp and he missed the first four games as he was still coming back from his injury, and we didn’t know what to expect right away. But he scored three goals in the first two games and he’s never looked back. He’s just an unbelievably talented player.”

Will Zellers had 160 points (76-84-160) over 91 U18 games at Shattuck-St. Mary’s, and that production has followed him to the USHL this season. “I think I’m at my best when I’m using my skating and speed to drive the play and be on top of the defense,” he said. “I like to shoot the puck and I’d consider myself a shot-first guy, so my game really feeds off that and I try to be the first person on the puck and have the puck on my stick.” (Photo courtesy of Green Bay Gamblers)

Taking Steps
Zellers will be the first to admit his game is far from a finished product, and he’s especially prioritized his play away from the puck – which he still wants to improve before making the jump to college.

McCadden and assistant coach Mason Baptista both praised Zellers for his growth this season, citing his work ethic and coachability. He’s a natural goal scorer and thrives in the offensive zone, but he’s also taken pride in his play defensively.

“I think the most impressive part of Will’s game is how competitive he is,” McCadden said. “He wants to score so bad and he’s always willing to work for it, and at times he just wills the puck into the net. And I think that bleeds into his overall game.

“We’ve seen him play more of an effective, hard defensive game and he stays on pucks, and he’s improved in all three zones. So I think that’s helped him create more offense as well.”

Both coaches want to see him continue killing plays defensively and use his skating to his advantage, especially as a winger.

At the same time, Zellers’ game has plenty to like. Whether that’s his ability to read goalies, go to the net, win 1-on-1 battles, or choose the right play with the puck on his stick – which Baptista added sets Zellers apart.

“You look at his body of work from where he started this season to now, and it’s impressive. But it’s also not surprising when you see him work every day,” Baptista said. “He had the injury and didn’t get to start on time like everyone else, and you figured it would take some time. But he was able to get past it and move forward right away, and he’s really found his game.

“I think we’ve seen him consistently create chances and opportunities, and he’s learning how to adapt his game too. Regardless of the coverage he’s getting from other teams, he’s continued to produce, and that’s really a sign of a special player.”

Will Zellers and Aidan Park were teammates at Shattuck-St. Mary’s and developed plenty of chemistry, which has followed them to Green Bay. “I think Will’s game has skyrocketed over the last few years and he’s improved a ton, and he’s having an unbelievable year,” Park said. “He’s super competitive and a really good hockey player, but he’s also a really supportive friend and is always there for you, and he’s someone that’s just fun to be around.” (Photo courtesy of Green Bay Gamblers)

Bright Future Ahead
Zellers immediate focus is on this season. He wants to help Green Bay hoist the Clark Cup and develop his game, both on and off the ice.

However, he’s certainly looking forward to his future in Grand Forks. His parents, Kim and Kurt, grew up in North Dakota and went to UND, and Zellers attended a number of games at Ralph Engelstad Arena as a kid.

He grew up idolizing Zach Parise and later Brock Boeser, and his dog is even named after the latter. Zellers quipped he needed two more dogs so he could have his own CBS line, in honor of UND’s Drake Caggiula–Boeser–Nick Schmaltz combination.

Zellers initially committed to Boston University at 16 years old but had a change of heart, and he decided between Minnesota and North Dakota. The final decision was an easy one.

“It was a pretty fulfilling decision,” Zellers said. “Growing up as a kid and going to games at The Ralph, and now being able to play there this coming fall myself, it’s surreal. I know everyone in my family is really looking forward to it.”

Will Zellers’ dream school has always been North Dakota, where he will play next fall. He remembers first putting on skates around age 2 and joked that he learned how to skate before he could walk. He grew up skating on an outdoor rink every winter and has been obsessed with the sport since he was 5. (Photo courtesy of the Zellers Family)

So are those closest to him in Green Bay.

“I think he’s going to go into North Dakota and score right away, and he’s an extremely gifted offensive player,” McCadden said. “I know they’re excited to get him, and they should be, and I think he has the ability to do a lot of the same things he’s done for us this year. So I’m really excited for his college career and he certainly has the talent and ability to play professionally. I’m very excited for the kid’s future.”

Whatever that future holds there’s one thing Zellers plans to continue doing: Working. It’s what’s got him to this point and led to his success this winter.

“When I was little I was never on the Squirt A or AA team or the Peewee AA team, and I was always on the B teams, so I was never one of the top kids in my age group. But I think my path has made where I am today a lot more satisfying and helped my development,” Zellers said. “I’ve had to work a little bit harder and earn everything, and I’ve always been able to go back to those foundations. But that’s something I can take with me forever.”

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