DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY

Category: Reports

  • Michael Tang vs Slovakia – Aug 7, 2026

    Michael Tang vs Slovakia – Aug 7, 2026

    Tang had about as impressive a performance as a goal scorer can have without actually scoring a goal. On one particularly impressive play, he beat a defender to the inside before driving the net and getting a shot on goal. He then attempted to bat his own rebound out of mid-air with a backhand, cross-body swing, but hit the post.

    On the power play, Tang beat a defender with a toe-drag at the face-off dot before releasing a powerful wrist shot that beat the goaltender high far side, sending the water bottle flying. The goal was ultimately called back for goaltender interference.

    This was by far Tang’s best game of the tournament. While his patience with the puck and ability to beat defenders with his hands allowed him to create offense, I would like to see him move his feet more when he has possession in the offensive zone. Adding more mobility could bring a more dynamic element to his cycle game.

  • Kayden Stroeder vs Sweden – Aug 5, 2026

    Kayden Stroeder vs Sweden – Aug 5, 2026

    Stroeder had a very impressive performance, starting the night by showing off his passing ability with a pair of assists before scoring a goal of his own later in the game.

    His first point of the night came on a no-look pass from behind the goal line that fooled the Swedish defender, giving Benjamin Veitch the space and time to find the back of the net.

    His second assist came on the power play, threading a pass through traffic and perfectly into a gap between the four penalty killers, finding the tape of Ryerson Edgar.

    Stroeder also scored a goal that showcased impressive hand-eye coordination. After receiving a pass from behind the net and getting a shot on goal, he recovered his own rebound despite the puck bouncing. While rotating 180 degrees, he was able to control the puck and beat the Swedish goaltender low far side.

    While Stroeder finished with three points, he could have easily had more. He nearly scored his second goal of the night after taking a great lane to the net to receive a cross-crease pass before getting hooked and drawing a penalty. He also showed great patience and awareness on the power play, getting lost in the Swedish penalty killers’ coverage before emerging in a more dangerous position than where he had started.

  • The Elite Showcase: Scouting the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup

    The Elite Showcase: Scouting the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup

    There is a distinct mid-August magic that blankets any Canadian rink when the premier under-18 talent in the world descends, and that feeling was evident in Edmonton, Alberta.

    The Hlinka Gretzky Cup isn’t just the unofficial opening bell of the scouting calendar; it’s a high-stakes, pressure-cooker furnace where future NHL franchises are built, and where teenagers transform into blue-chip commodities right before our eyes. 

    This year’s edition provided a fascinating, multi-layered narrative. We saw a dominant, deeply structured Canadian squad put on an absolute clinic in the gold-medal game, executing a clinical 8-1 dismantling of their American rivals. But beyond the podium, the real value of this tournament lies in the individual evaluations.

    From sub-six-foot defensive maestros to towering European physical forces, the ice in Edmonton was the premier location for high-end draft stock to showcase themselves. 

    Let’s dive deep into the notebook to break down at least one standout player from every single nation that competed in the tournament. 

    Team Canada: The Class of the Tournament 

    When you outscore your opponents 34-12 over a perfect 5-0 tournament run, your roster is naturally going to be littered with standouts. While the depth of this Canadian program was terrifyingly obvious, a few specific names completely stole the marquee. 

    Landon DuPont, D (2027 NHL Draft Eligible and in contention to become the 1st overall selection)  

    The Tape: 5-foot-11, 192 pounds | Michigan Wolverines (NCAA) 

    The Analysis: If there was any lingering doubt about DuPont’s status as a projected first-overall franchise pillar, he single-handedly erased it in Edmonton. Wearing the captain’s “C” with a quiet, mature confidence, DuPont anchored Canada’s blue line with a masterclass in modern transitional defense. He plays the game with an exceptionally high processing speed, rarely turning the puck over under heavy forechecking pressure. His performance in the gold-medal game, racking up four primary assists on the rush and from the blue line, showcased a flawless hockey IQ. He doesn’t just join the play; he commands it. 

    Liam Pue, RW & Maddox Schultz, LW (2028 NHL Draft Eligibles) 

    The Tape: Regina Pats (WHL) teammates playing as tournament underagers 

    The Analysis: It is difficult to separate the two, yet both stood out individually. It is almost unfair what these two did to older competition. Schultz exploded for 10 points (3 goals, 7 assists), while his partner-in-crime, Pue, led the entire tournament with six goals. Pue possesses a devastatingly quick release that he can uncork from almost any posture, allowing him to surpass Sidney Crosby’s Canadian U17 tournament goal-scoring record of 5 goals. Schultz, meanwhile, was a multi-situational monster, thriving on the power play, at five-on-five, and on the penalty kill. They carried themselves like 10-year pros. 

    Team USA: The Resilient Silver Medalists 

    The United States brought a highly competitive development group that rightfully earned its spot in the final, proving that their grassroots depth continues to rise even when navigating split summer rosters. 

    Gavin Burcar, C (2027 NHL Draft Eligible) 

    The Tape: 6-foot-1, 185 pounds | Spokane Chiefs (WHL) 

    The Analysis: Burcar was the undisputed engine of the American offense, finishing right behind the top Canadians with a spectacular nine points. He set the tone on day one with a ferocious hat trick against Czechia and never looked back. Burcar projects beautifully as a high-end NHL power center; he has a legit 40-goal upside because of how cleanly he protects the puck down low and the sheer heavy velocity of his shot. 

    Nash Roed, F (2028 NHL Draft Eligible) 

    The Tape: 5-foot-11, 187 pounds | USNTDP 

    The Analysis: When the lights were brightest in the tournament’s knockout stage, Roed delivered. His clutch, single-game hat trick in the 5-2 semifinal victory over Slovakia was a pure exhibition of hunting soft ice and executing under immense pressure. 

    Team Finland: The Bronze Finishers 

    Finland executed their classic, suffocating tactical system to precision, ultimately grinding their way to a hard-fought 3-2 bronze-medal win over tournament underdog Slovakia. 

    Luca Santala, RW/C (2027 NHL Draft Eligible) 

    The Tape: 6-foot-2, 190 pounds | London Knights (OHL) 

    The Analysis: Santala used this tournament as a perfect bridge before making his highly anticipated North American transition to the OHL. He is a pure, unadulterated sniper who leans heavily into a volume-shooting mentality. What impresses is his spatial awareness; Santala has an innate ability to let the play develop around him before drifting into dangerous mid-range shooting lanes to release a heavy, heavy wrist shot. 

    Team Slovakia: The Underdogs 

    Slovakia fell just short of the podium, but they played an incredibly entertaining brand of fast, transitional, highly skilled hockey. 

    Tomáš Selič, F (2027 NHL Draft Eligible) 

    The Tape:  6-foot-4, 198 pounds | Flint Firebirds (OHL) 

    The Analysis: Selič was an absolute joy to watch in the offensive zone. Finishing the tournament with eight points, he proved to be one of the most creative playmakers in Edmonton. He plays with an aggressive pace, using deceptive shoulder shakes to freeze defenders at the blue line before slipping precise passes through seams. He is a primary puck-transporter who elevates his linemates. 

    Team Switzerland: The High-Minute Workhorses 

    The Swiss team secured a highly respectable fifth-place finish with a somewhat surprising 5-1 win over Czechia, heavily anchored by their veteran junior leadership. 

    Jonah Neuenschwander, C (2027 NHL Draft Eligible) 

    The Tape: 6-foot-4, 185 pounds | Biel NLA (Switzerland) 

    The Analysis: Neuenschwander played heavy, demanding minutes against every country’s top defensive pairings and never faltered. Finishing with six points (3 goals, 3 assists), he demonstrated a complete two-way profile. He uses his long reach to disrupt plays in his own zone and possesses the vision to transition those turnovers into instant odd-man rushes. He looks completely ready to impact pro hockey back home this fall. 

    Team Czechia: The Physical Ground Game 

    While Czechia faced a tough placement round, their roster showcased an identity built on heavy, imposing physical traits. 

    Maxmilian Mares, C (2027 NHL Draft Eligible) 

    The Tape: 6-foot-6, 229 pounds | Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL) 

    The Analysis: You simply cannot miss Mares when he steps onto the ice. He is an absolute mountain of a teenager who completely understands how to leverage his massive frame to protect the puck. Tallying three goals and three assists, Mares anchored the middle of the ice with a punishing power-forward game. If he can continue to refine his short-area foot speed in the QMJHL this season, NHL general managers will be lining up to draft his rare athletic profile. 

    Lukáš Kachlíř, D (2027 NHL Draft Eligible) 

    The Tape: 5-foot-8, 160 pounds | Bílí Tygři Liberec (Czechia) / Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL) 

    The Analysis: If you want pure, unadulterated hockey fun from the blue line, Kachlíř is your guy. At 5-foot-8, he immediately faces the obvious size and structural strength questions that NHL scouts obsess over, and yes, there are shifts where he can get pinned down or outmuscled in his own zone, but he is rarely, if ever, outworked. But the second the puck lands on his stick? He transforms into a one-man breakout machine. Kachlíř possesses some of the most fluid, deceptive edge-work in this entire draft class, allowing him to dance away from heavy forecheckers and walk the blue line with total lateral freedom. He finished tied as one of Czechia’s most lethal offensive drivers, logging five points in four games, including a massive power-play one-timer that nearly blew the back of the net out against the Americans. His east-west passing lane vision is elite, and though he occasionally gets caught trying to pull off the extra move, his capacity to dictate the absolute tempo of an offensive possession is undeniable. Having been selected by the Edmonton Oil Kings in the CHL Import Draft, a full season adjusting his quick-strike game to North American ice will tell us exactly how high his draft ceiling can climb. 

    Team Sweden: The Undersized Innovators 

    Sweden’s tournament didn’t go quite as planned, finishing seventh with a 4-2 win over Germany, but their developmental pipeline remains incredibly intriguing. 

    Douglas Johnsson, D (2027 NHL Draft Eligible) 

    The Tape: 5-foot-10, 169 pounds | Skellefteå J20 (Sweden) 

    The Analysis: Johnsson is yet another example of the modern, undersized, highly intelligent puck-moving defenseman that Sweden is becoming famous for developing. He mitigates his lack of raw physical size with elite edge-work, an active defensive stick, and an incredibly fast outlet pass. He rarely absorbs direct physical contact because his lateral mobility allows him to dance away from oncoming forecheckers, making him a fascinating long-term project. 

    Team Germany: The Resilient Foundation 

    Germany found themselves outmatched on the scoreboard at times, but individual bright spots showed clear high-end development. 

    Max Calce, C 

    The Tape: 5-foot-11, 190 pounds | Brantford Bulldogs (OHL) 

    The Analysis: Calce was the heart and soul of the German squad. Playing a relentless, 200-foot style, he constantly forced turnovers through sheer work ethic and heavy backchecking. He didn’t get a ton of offensive support, but his ability to win defensive-zone faceoffs and clear the front of his net against massive opposing forwards showed immense character and a projectable pro floor. 

  • Brock Cripps (D) – 2027 NHL Draft Prospect Report

    Cripps showcased the puck skills and hockey sense that make him such a dynamic offensive defenceman.

    He scored shorthanded after making a slight move, waiting for the defender to overcommit and slide right past him before beating the Swedish goaltender on the far side from the top of the circle.

    Later in the game, he repeatedly kept cycles going by keeping the puck in the offensive zone while under heavy pressure with little room to work at the blue line.

    This was highlighted by one shift where he did it three separate times before cutting through the Swedish defence with a stutter step to create another scoring chance.

    At even strength, Cripps and defensive partner Boston Tait controlled play from the offensive blue line. Their combination of passing ability and hockey IQ allowed them to toy with the Swedish forwards, moving the puck seamlessly back and forth while maintaining possession and giving the Canadian forwards time to get into scoring position.

  • Joey Cullen (F) – 2028 NHL Draft Prospect Report

    Joey Cullen (F) – 2028 NHL Draft Prospect Report

    At just 16 years old, Joey Cullen was by far USA’s most talented forward, even in a high-intensity semifinal matchup.

    He always keeps his head up, scanning the ice for the right pass, and once he gets a good look, he has the elite hockey sense to know where everyone is and where they are going, allowing him to make plays before others can see them develop.

    He recorded a secondary assist on USA’s opening power-play goal. While he did not directly create the goal, he showed good poise with the puck, waiting until the right pass opened up. Though that was his last point, it was far from the last time he contributed offensively.

    Later in the game, Cullen beat one defender to the inside before taking another to the outside and ringing the puck off the post.

    On another play, he set up Gunnar Conboy with a completely open net, but Conboy missed. Cullen was also trusted to be a focal point of the American power play when he was on the ice.

    Another thing that impressed me was his ability to stay with plays even when they broke down. He was constantly able to recover and get to loose pucks before defenders.

  • Doing it the ‘Canadian Way’ in Comeback Win Against Finland

    Team Canada rallied back from a three-goal deficit to beat Team Finland 5-3 on Day 4 of the World Junior Summer Showcase.

    Following a tough loss yesterday against Team Sweden, all eyes were on Canada to see how they would respond today against Finland.

    The game opened cautiously, with both teams playing a tight, defensive style, waiting for the other to make a mistake. It wasn’t until the final minute of the period that Finland broke the ice, with Julius Saari picking up the loose puck off a faceoff draw and firing it past William Lacelle.

    Canada began to put the pressure on but couldn’t convert. Exploiting Canada’s aggressive push, Eetu Orpana showed off his speed, wheeling around Keaton Verhoeff and wrapping it around the inside of the post to beat Lacelle to the far post, doubling Finland’s lead. 

    Shortly after, Jesse Pärssinen blasted one home on the power play, giving Finland a commanding 3-0 advantage. 

    Canada, championing their motto to return to the “old Canadian style,” did exactly that. They rallied back with three goals in the final five minutes of the second period, including two in the last minute alone. Dima Zhilkin led the charge with two breakaway goals, before Keaton Verhoeff buried a one-timer off a pass from Cole Reschny with just 14 seconds left.

    Caleb Desnoyers kicked off the third-period scoring by jamming a puck in on the power play during a scramble in the crease. Minutes later, Jackson Smith unleashed a screened shot from the point to extend Canada’s lead to 5-3. Finland mounted a late push, but with Lacelle locked in, the comeback effort came too late to stop Canada from sealing the victory.

    Extra Time:

    In accordance with the Showcase format, both teams agreed to play an additional overtime period and shootout regardless of the regulation score.

    It was a slow overtime period with Finland dominating all of the possession. Vertti Svensk was the OT hero, scoring one just over the left pad of Lacelle.

    The shootout ended 3-1 in favour of Canada across 5 shooters. Desnoyers, Reschny, and Tynan Lawrence all scored for Canada, with Somervuori being the only goal scorer for Finland. 

    Both teams will enjoy a day off tomorrow before the final day of Showcase action on Saturday, where Finland takes on Sweden, and Canada will take on Team USA.

    Standouts:

    F Cole Reschny (CAN | Calgary Flames)

    This was a completely different Cole Reschny than the one on display at last year’s World Juniors. Sitting out the first game against Sweden, I was interested to see what Reschny would provide for this Canadian team, but he was excellent tonight. He generated numerous high-quality chances, assisting on both Zhilkin and Verhoeff’s goals as well. His physical presence stood out as well, using strong positioning to separate body from puck and delivering several heavy hits. He had the best game of anyone on Day 4 and will be a must-watch player in Canada’s game against Team USA.

    F Caleb Desnoyers (CAN | Utah Mammoth)

    Desnoyers was a standout in all three periods as a hard-nosed forechecker who forced turnovers all game long. On one sequence, his relentless pressure forced a giveaway that drew a hooking penalty, which he later capitalized on himself. As a returning player, he’ll be relied upon to log heavy minutes and anchor the penalty kill for Team Canada come December. 

    F Dima Zhilkin (CAN | 2027 Draft Eligible)

    One of the most intriguing prospects for the 2027 NHL Entry Draft, Zhilkin showed exactly why he’ll hear his name called early next June. While his speed jumps off the highlight reel, scoring both of his goals on breakaways, his game offers much more. He brought noticeable physicality and a drive to get to the dirty areas of the ice, generating several quality chances in tight. If Zhilkin maintains this level of play, he’ll make a compelling case to be a top five pick.

    G Jester Rossi (FIN | 2027 Draft Eligible)

    Though Finland let the game slip away late, Rossi was the sole reason they stayed ahead early. The 2027 draft-eligible netminder was positionally sound all night, rarely leaving himself out of place. He made a compelling case to push for the backup job despite two strong goalies ahead of him on the depth chart, setting up a key test if he gets the start against Sweden.

  • Sweden Scores Five Unanswered in Comeback Victory Over Team USA

    Team Sweden defeated Team USA 5-2 in comeback fashion on Day 4 of the World Junior Summer Showcase.

    Sweden started red-hot in the opening frame, generating several high-quality chances while outshooting Team USA 10-3, but the game remained scoreless.

    In the second period, the Americans bounced back in a big way. Carter Amico appeared to open the scoring when he found the back of the net on a long-range shot, but the goal was quickly called back due to a crease violation. 

    Undeterred, Team USA kept the pressure on and capitalized on two quick goals shortly after. LJ Mooney put the US on the board with his first goal of the showcase on a play in tight, roofing the puck over the goaltender. Just 38 seconds later, Nick Bogas beat Måns Goos with a wrist shot from the point to give the Americans a 2-0 lead.

    Sweden refused to back down, though. Linus Funck found the back of the net through a heavy screen on the power play, bringing Sweden back within a goal before the end of the second period.

    Early in the third, Team USA earned an extended 5-on-3 power play, but Sweden successfully killed it off. The momentum generated by that kill carried over immediately: Funck scored his second of the game shortly after, rifling one over the shoulder of Ryan Cameron to tie it up. Torkel Jennersjö then won a faceoff draw and capitalized to give Sweden its first lead of the contest.

    Two late empty-net goals from Leo Sundqvist and Jennersjö sealed the 5-2 victory for Sweden.

    Both teams will enjoy a day off tomorrow before the final day of Showcase action on Saturday, where Sweden will face Finland and the Americans will take on Canada.

    Standouts:

    G Ryan Cameron (USA | Edmonton Oilers)

    Not dressed in yesterday’s game, we weren’t sure if Cameron would be on the official US merged roster, but given the start today, we were quickly reminded why he deserved to be. Cameron displayed strong lateral movement and made several A-grade saves throughout the game, helping the US survive the Swedish onslaught, especially during that tough first period. 

    F Torkel Jennersjö (SWE | 2027 Draft Eligible)

    Jennersjö was just about everywhere today. Finding the scoresheet, he jammed one home in the dirty area while also tallying an empty-net goal in which he outskated the American defender the full length of the ice. On the defensive side, he looked strong as well, rarely being caught out of position on the wing and getting into the lanes when needed.

    D Henry Brzustewicz (USA | Los Angeles Kings)

    It was another strong day for Brzustewicz in this one. He hasn’t found his offensive game quite like we’d expect, but his defensive work has more than made up for it. With Chase Reid and Tommy Bleyl likely driving the offensive opportunities for the American blueline, Brzustewicz playing a steady, reliable defensive game could be the exact reason he makes the final roster in December.

    D Linus Funck (SWE | Colorado Avalanche)

    By way of scoring two big goals for Team Sweden, Funck is an obvious standout from today. A guy who isn’t well known for an offensive goal-scoring presence, Funck really stepped up today while also playing a solid defensive game. 

  • Sweden Defeats Canada in First Win At Summer Showcase

    Sweden won their first game of the World Junior Summer Showcase, taking down Canada 5-3 in a back-and-forth game.

    For Canada, it was their first game of the tournament, while Sweden had already played twice, losing to USA Blue 6-1 and then USA White 6-4.

    The game started quickly for both sides, trading chance after chance. Jimmy Lombardi got on the board first for Canada with a nice move in front of the net to make it 1-0 Canada.

    With Canada on the power play and only 3 seconds left on the clock, Milton Gastrin scored shorthanded after Jackson Smith had his stick implode trying to force the puck up the middle.

    The offence continued into the second as 1:15 into the frame, Tynan Lawrence sniped it home on the same power play to give Canada back the lead.

    Filip Ekberg had the response for the Swedes, banking one off of Brek Liske’s skate and into the net.

    In the third, Ethan Belchetz tipped one home in his return to the WFCU Centre, where he played 2 seasons with the Windsor Spitfires.

    Elton Hermansson scored his first of the tournament on the power play, sniping it top shelf over the glove of Samuel Meloche. 

    The Swedes didn’t let up. Theo Stockselius fired one from distance, tipping off of Jackson Smith’s stick and past Meloche in net.

    Stockselius later scored on the empty net to give Sweden their first win of the Showcase.

    Extra Time:

    Both teams agreed to play overtime and a shootout given the Showcase style of this tournament.

    After a back-and-forth frame, Braeden Cootes scored the overtime-winning goal to give Canada some satisfaction.

    In the shootout frame, Sweden won 2-0 with goals from Elton Hermansson and Viktor Klingsell. Isak Sorqvist for Sweden was tremendous in the shootout, stopping all 4 shooters he faced.

    Sweden will play Team USA tomorrow at 3 p.m. EDT/ 9 p.m. CEST, while Canada will take on Finland at 7 p.m. EDT.

    Standouts:

    F Caleb Malhotra (CAN | Vancouver Canucks)

    Malhotra showed exactly why Vancouver selected him third overall. Although he didn’t find the scoresheet tonight, he was a driving force offensively, consistently pushing the pace and overwhelming Swedish defenders. He won countless puck battles along the boards and created second-chance opportunities all night. He will be an important player for this Canadian team come Boxing Day.

    D Jackson Smith (CAN | Columbus Blue Jackets)

    If you followed along with our coverage on X/Twitter, you saw us highlight the flaws in Smith’s game early on. Watching him live at last year’s World Juniors pre-tournament games, his impatience stood out where he frequently forced pucks into high-risk areas. That habit lingered through the first period and a half tonight before he finally settled in. Once comfortable, his elite recovery ability took over; even when caught out of position, his strong skating allows him to recover quickly. Offensively, he uses quick edges to walk the line and create space effortlessly. If Smith finds consistency, he has top-pair potential. But if he plays jumpy, as he did in Kitchener, he can quickly become a liability for this Canadian team.

    D Daxon Rudolph (CAN | Buffalo Sabres)

    When we heard Rudolph’s name be called at pick four on Draft night, it was somewhat of a surprise, but this kid can play. He was heavily involved on the offensive side of the puck tonight for this Canadian team, more so than typical, and looked good doing so. With strong vision and good skating, he will play a big part for this Canadian team in December. 

    F Milton Gästrin (SWE | St Louis Blues)

    A veteran presence for Sweden’s U20 squad, Gästrin put together another complete performance. The former U18 captain scored his second goal of the Showcase on a sharp penalty-kill read and showed noticeable improvements in his defensive detail. He will be a core leader for Sweden on and off the ice.

    F Theo Stockselius (SWE | Calgary Flames)

    It was another strong game for Stockselius in this one, potting two more goals to add to his existing 2 points (1G, 1A) on the Showcase. Responsible and trusted at both ends of the ice, he is rapidly solidifying his place as a core forward on this roster. 

  • Finland Gets Revenge Against USA in World Junior Tune-Up

    Team Finland edged out Team USA 3-2 to begin Day 3 of the World Junior Summer Showcase after a practice day on Tuesday.

    Although Tuesday morning’s official announcement for USA’s merged roster never came, we did see the players who are now left take the ice today. Given that this showcase is a precursor to the World Junior tournament, making this merged roster goes a long way to making the official 25-man roster.

    Coming off a 4-1 win over USA White and a 5-1 loss to USA Blue, today felt like the rubber match between Finland and USA.

    After a back-and-forth start to the game, Vilho Vanhatalo scored on the breakaway after a missed breakaway attempt by Ethan Wyttenbach, putting Finland on the board.

    From that goal onward, the USA was in complete control through the rest of the first period. Ethan Wyttenbach scored on a long-distance shot through traffic to tie the game with 4:54 left in the period.

    The second period was very similar to the end of the first, with the US dominating the pace of play and Finland counterattacking when the opportunity presented itself. 

    Mikey Berchild jammed one home on the power play early into the second period, but the play was reviewed and later overturned due to the US entering the zone offside. 

    Finland was on their back foot most of the period, but a long-distance shot from Jesse Parssinen kicked out a rebound directly onto the stick of Ilari Kapanen, who shot it in, giving Finland the 2-1 lead.

    The bad rebound luck continued for the US with Eetu Orpana finding the loose puck off a Chase Reid blocked shot, making a quick cutback move, and firing it past Harrison Boettiger.

    The third period was much more competitive, with different exchanges of both teams dominating the pace of play and their looks. With Finland on the power play, the puck got rimmed around the boards, and Sammy Nelson outskated the Finnish backchecker to get to the puck first, shooting it past Patrik Kerkola to bring the game within a goal.

    Although the US pushed Finland to the brink, they could not beat Kerkola in the end, and Finland took home the victory 3-2.

    Team USA will play Sweden tomorrow at 3 p.m. EDT, while Finland will take on Canada at 7 p.m. EDT/ 2 a.m. EEST

    Standouts:

    F Ethan Wyttenbach (USA | Calgary Flames)

    Team USA’s entire top line with Wyttenbach, Cullen and Berchild was incredible, but the standout performance again today was Wyttenbach, who continued as the offensive catalyst for Team USA. Scoring a goal and generating numerous high-quality chances throughout the game, it felt like a different team whenever Wyttenbach and his line jumped over the boards.

    F Carter Sanderson (USA | Pittsburgh Penguins)

    After scoring a hat trick in his opening game and adding another goal in his second, Sanderson was one of the most deserving players to make this US merged team, and today he rewarded the decision with another strong game. Creating opportunities with his speed and size, he had a number of high-quality looks while taking care of his responsibilities in his own end. 

    F Sammy Nelson (USA | 2027 Draft Eligible)

    Turning out to be Team USA’s MVP of the game, Nelson put together another strong performance for the US squad, picking up a shorthanded goal in the process. The expected top 5 pick at the 2027 NHL draft will look to continue his strong showcase ahead of the World Junior tournament that could propel him into the top 3.

    G Patrik Kerkola (FIN | 2027 Draft Eligible)

    Strong goaltending will, like always, play a major factor in Team Finland’s success when they embark upon Edmonton and Red Deer. Today we saw a solid all-around performance from Kerkola, who strung together some key saves late in the game to give Finland the victory. If Kerkola can continue to play the way he did at the end of this game, the Finns might just be able to pull off the miracle and return to gold for the first time since 2019.

    F Eetu Orpana (FIN | 2027 Draft Eligible)

    It was another strong game from Orpana tonight on both ends of the ice. On the offensive side, he was all around it, picking up the eventual game-winning goal in the process. On the defensive side, he was lights out, in one instance chasing down Carter Sanderson back the full length of the ice to deny the American the chance.

  • USA White Outslugs Sweden 6-4 at World Junior Showcase

    USA White pulled off a big bounce-back win in an offensive marathon, defeating Sweden 6-4 on Day 2 of the World Junior Summer Showcase. 

    After a tough start for both teams on the opening day of the tournament, all eyes were on this game to see how they’d respond.

    As expected, it was an offensive start to this game with both teams trading chance after chance. It took just over 14 minutes for the first goal to be recorded, but the flurry came quickly after. 

    Carter Amico broke the deadlock, tipping one home off the shot-pass from Landon Nycz, putting USA White up a goal. 

    Sweden came roaring back 2:07 later with Milton Gastrin sniping one home off the rush to tie the game at one. 

    USA White had a quick response, just 15 seconds later, Jacob Kvasnicka used his quick speed to create the chance, firing the puck just past the outstretched glove of Måns Goos and into the back of the net. 

    They weren’t done there, though. After a slashing penalty taken by Alexander Command, Chase Reid blasted one from just above the faceoff dot to complete the 4-goal run in 3:42.

    The second period continued much like the first, both teams trading chances, forcing their goaltenders to make some big saves. Filip Ekberg took a cross-checking penalty halfway through the second, and the US power play was buzzing, eventually scoring with a nice passing play that Sammy Nelson back-doored into the net.

    Filip Ekberg got his first of the tournament off the one-timer to close out the second period 4-2.

    The high-octane pace continued with a 4-goal third period. Jack Murtagh scored with a nifty move on the power play, Jacob Ihs-Wozniak banked one off the mask of Ryder Fetterolf and in, Mason West found the loose puck in a scramble and fired it into the back of the net, and then Viktor Klingsell scored off the rebound in the final minute, which finished USA White’s 6-4 win.

    For Sweden, it has been a tough start to the World Junior Summer Showcase, losing both of their games in ugly fashion, and they will look to bounce back in a big way when they take on Canada on Wednesday.

    USA White will await their merge with USA Blue, with the announcement expected tomorrow morning. The merged USA team will take on Finland on Wednesday.

    Standouts:

    F Jacob Kvasnicka (USA | New York Islanders)

    We had talked about Kvasnicka in our recap video yesterday as a guy who needed to have a big day today if he wanted to be on the merged USA team. From scoring a goal to blocking a number of shots, Kvasnicka had one of the best games we saw the entire day, also picking up game MVP in the process. Looking forward to tomorrow, you can expect to see his name on USA’s merged roster, which looks strong heading into the real tournament starting on Wednesday.

    D Henry Brzustewicz (USA | Los Angeles Kings)

    In a 10-goal game, you’d expect the standouts to be someone who scored a lot of goals or, at the very least, got a point, but for Brzustewicz, he was extremely effective in all three zones tonight. On the defensive side, he got into shot lanes, broke up passes and was clean on his breakouts. On the offensive side, I lost track of the number of high-grade opportunities he generated, and although he didn’t find himself on the final stat sheet, you can expect to see Brzustewicz on the final USA roster come Tuesday morning.

    The USA White Power Play (USA)

    Yeah, that’s right, all of it. One of the hardest, yet most important things to do in international tournaments is to execute an effective power play. Seeing USA White snap around the puck as quickly as they did all night long reminded me of Sweden’s gold medal-winning run last year, which operated at a 43.48% rate throughout the tournament. A sign of good things to come for a US team that was operating on a split squad? Time will tell.

    F Filip Ekberg (SWE | Carolina Hurricanes)

    Can’t say I didn’t warn you of what to expect from Ekberg’s game. A guy who we talked quite extensively about in our preview of this World Junior Summer Showcase as a potential game-breaker if he could get hot after his 18-point performance in 7 games at the 2025 IIHF U18 World Championships. Now is one goal enough to hang a hat on? No. But expect his success to continue throughout if the Swedes continue with this kamikaze offensive style.

    F Jacob Ihs-Wozniak (SWE | Vegas Golden Knights)

    It was a very strong game from Ihs-Wozniak tonight, getting in the goal column and generating a handful of chances throughout the game. For a Swedish team that has struggled mightily to this point, they will need him to find the back of the net much more often if they want to be successful.

    F Viktor Klingsell (SWE | Winnipeg Jets)

    For a guy who is considered a bubble player for the roster in December, Klingsell made a really good case tonight for his spot on the 25-man roster. Racking up 1 goal and 2 assists, Klingsell found gaps, generated chances, and led the Swedish team’s counterattack throughout the night. Now, one night won’t be enough to earn him a spot on that roster, but it’s a step in the right direction and if he can continue his success, keep an eye out for what could be a sneaky middle-6 option for the Swedes.