This particular pep talk, from the tail end of his two-season stint with USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program, still resonates for Mace’o Phillips.

In fact, the message has been on his mind as the Calgary Flames ’ defence prospect prepares to once again represent his country — this time at the 2025 World Junior A Challenge.

“At the world tournament last year with the U-18s, we were told that some of us, well a lot of us, may never get to put on this jersey again,” Phillips told Postmedia from Trois-Rivières, Que., where Team USA faces Canada East in Sunday’s round-robin opener. “So obviously, this is just such an incredible opportunity.

“It’s just a big sense of pride, I guess. You never know when it’s going to be your last tournament or your last time wearing the symbol and

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