Anderson is one of five returning players from the team that won the bronze medal last year. His older brother, New Jersey Devils forward Joey Anderson, was that team's captain. They are the first two brothers to each captain a U.S. National Junior Team.
Tweet from @joeyandy19: Couldn���t be more proud and excited for you! Nothing gives me more joy than watching you have success. I don���t know anyone who leads like you! You���re going to do a great job. Love you Mikey! Congrats @miklovin8 https://t.co/vl9mMSQYcy
Defenseman Quinn Hughes (Vancouver Canucks) and forward Josh Norris (Ottawa Senators) were named alternate captains.
"Mikey, Quinn and Josh all carry tremendous leadership traits that make them respected by both the players and the staff and we're fortunate to have them leading the United States at this year's World Junior Championship," coach Mike Hastings said. "This is a real close-knit group that has the chance to build on USA Hockey's growing legacy in this tournament. We know these three individuals, as well as the team's bigger leadership core, will help lead us to success and we're excited to get started here in Victoria."
The 2019 WJC starts Wednesday and runs through Jan. 5 in Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia. The U.S., which will play its preliminary-round games in Group B, opens the tournament against Slovakia at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria on Wednesday (6:30 p.m. ET; NHLN, TSN). Also in Group B are Finland, Kazakhstan and Sweden.
Group A, which will play its games at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, consists of defending champion Canada, along with Czech Republic, Denmark, Russia and Switzerland.
In addition to Anderson, Hughes and Norris, defenseman Dylan Samberg (Winnipeg Jets) and forward Ryan Poehling (Montreal Canadiens) are the other returning players for the United States.
