By Sean Shapiro, 08/08/25, 2:15PM EDT
PLYMOUTH, Mich. — Jake Prunty has a hard time imagining a better launching pad for his 2025-26 season than what he’s experiencing this week at the Under-17 Four Nations Tournament.
The 16-year-old from Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey, has gotten his first taste of international hockey, playing big minutes as a right-shot defenseman for the U.S. Under-17 Men’s Select Team. Prunty’s helped Team USA to a pair of victories against Slovakia and Switzerland in preliminary play at USA Hockey Arena.
Those results have locked the Americans into the championship game on Saturday, which will be a rematch of Friday’s final preliminary game against Czechia.
“It’s been fast paced playing here; it’s an international tournament, with some of the best players from all around, so it’s helping me bring my game to the next level,” Prunty said. “It’s one of those things that for me, I really want to bring it back to my season and build off of this.”
Prunty stood out in the 4-1 win against Switzerland on Wednesday. The defender patrolled the blue line, while also helping set up Ethan Sung’s goal that tied it at 1-1. He later gave the Americans a 3-1 lead when he scored on wrist shot from the right circle on the power play.
“My offensive side of play, it’s really put me in a spot to earn some chances,” Prunty said. “Use my offensive threats and skating to create opportunities, so that’s always been a big plus for me.”
That’s something the Sioux Falls Stampede are looking forward to from Prunty in the future. He’s going to attend training camp with Sioux Falls of the USHL later this month before returning to play Tier 1 hockey with the New Jersey Rockets. In December, he’ll join the Stampede for the remainder of the USHL season.
“I’m looking forward to getting a couple games [early] and then building and then really get after it [with Sioux Falls] in December,” Prunty said. “It’s going to be fun, and this is going to help me with getting ready.”
Fellow American defenseman, Anthony Valenti, is looking at this tournament through a similar lens.
Drafted by the Muskegon Lumberjacks in the Phase I USHL draft this past May, the 16-year-old Chicago native likely making the USHL jump for the 2026-27 season.
“It’s been an amazing opportunity just to wear this jersey, to represent your country,” Valenti said. “It’s also been different than anything I’ve ever played against, international competition, so it’s a tough test, but one that really gets me ready for the season pretty quick.”
One of the most impressive things about the Americans through two games has been how well connected they’ve looked on the ice. For a roster featuring players from across the country that only played one pre-tournament game, the chemistry is notable.
Valenti said it’s reflective of what the group has become off the ice, too.
“You get an opportunity and you all come together, that’s a big thing everyone is working for,” Valenti said. “It’s a group of great guys; I think we’ve become closer each game and practice.”
Prunty echoed those thoughts and said that with some close games so far, the Americans have become closer as a group and are looking forward to the opportunity of defending their title against Czechia.
Team USA will play Czechia in the final preliminary game at 4:30 p.m. ET on Friday, then in the championship on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET Switzerland and Slovakia will play for third place on Saturday afternoon.
Fans can watch all of the action on USAHockeyTV.com.
Story from Red Line Editorial, Inc.
Tag(s): News Men's U17 Four/Five Nations Home