Windsor Spitfires’ forward A.J. Spellacy is healthy and ready to go.

The 17-year-old Spellacy had his rookie season with the Spitfires cut short after a hit in a Feb. 4 game that eventually forced him to undergo knee surgery.

A native of Westlake, Ohio outside of Cleveland, the six-foot-three, 190-pound Spellacy was one of 23 players named to the United States under-18 squad for Hlinka Gretzky Cup, which will be played July 31 to Aug. 5 in Czechia and Slovakia.

“It means everything to be able to represent my country and play in this tournament wearing the U.S.A. jersey,” Spellacy said. “It’s something I dreamed of as a kid.”

Spellacy rejected five NCAA football scholarship offers to join the Spitfires last season after being selected by Windsor in the third round of the 2022 OHL Draft.

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