DRAFT PROSPECTS HOCKEY

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  • USA Offense Explodes in 7-2 Victory Over Canada

    Team USA dominated Team Canada 7-2 on the final day of World Junior Summer Showcase action.

    What began as a hesitant first period with both teams feeling each other out quickly erupted into a shooting gallery for the rest of the game.

    The first goal came shortly after the first intermission when Sammy Nelson stole the puck and took off to the races, beating Lukas Beckman low glove side for the shorthanded tally.

    Canada responded quickly. Ethan Belchetz forced an offensive zone turnover, then fired it home to tie the game 1-1. 

    Minutes later, following a dominant shift that included a breakaway attempt, Cole Reschny was rewarded when his shot deflected off teammate Dima Zhilkin and in to give Canada a 2-1 lead.

    Then the USA rallied back, scoring 4 unanswered goals to close out the second period. Ethan Wyttenbach potted 2 back-to-back goals in tight, one of which was on the power play. Then Sean Barnhill scored from long distance on a seeing-eye shot before Brooks Rogowski showed off his speed going end to end and blasting one blocker side to beat Lukas Beckman. 

    The Americans didn’t slow down in the third. Wyatt Cullen picked up the period’s opening goal when a broken-up 2-on-1 pass bounced right back onto his stick. Blake Fiddler then capped off the scoring following an extended sequence of zone pressure in the Canadian end.

    Team USA closed out the 2026 World Junior Summer Showcase with an emphatic 7-2 victory over Canada.

    Both teams will now shift their focus to Edmonton and Red Deer, where they’ll look to carry this momentum onto the podium in search of gold.

    Standouts:

    Carter Sanderson – Brooks Rogowski – Mason West (USA)

    What’s the quote again? “All for one and one for all?” In all seriousness, what a standout performance from this entire unit. Setting the tone from the opening puck drop, they were physical, skilled, and relentless, helping Team USA find its offensive groove in the second period. The trio combined for five points while wearing down the Canadian defence all night.

    Mikey Berchild – Wyatt Cullen – Ethan Wyttenbach (USA)

    Again. This entire line has been exceptional all tournament long. While it remains to be seen if coaching keeps them together come December, this showcase proved the Americans have a legitimate top line capable of doing serious damage. Combining for another eight points tonight, they made a compelling case to stay intact for the main event.

    Cole Reschny (Canada | Calgary Flames)

    One of the few highlights for Canada, Reschny flashed his high-end skill during a dominant second-period shift, one of the best of the entire tournament. He split the defenders with speed to create a prime scoring opportunity before picking up an assist 30 seconds later, shooting it off Zhilkin and in. Reschny will need to be a major presence if Canada wants to succeed in Edmonton.

  • Sweden Tops Rival Finland to Finish World Junior Showcase

    Team Sweden defeated Team Finland 5-2 on the final day of World Junior Summer Showcase action.

    Both Kevin Törnblom and Patrik Kerkola made their Showcase debuts in today’s rivalry game. Kerkola is the projected starter for Finland’s official World Junior team while Törnblom is expected to serve as the backup to Love Härenstam.

    The game started hot, with both teams generating chances early. Viktor Klingsell opened the scoring on the power play, firing one over the shoulder of Kerkola to give Sweden the 1-0 lead.

    Jeremi Virtanen responded shortly after, cutting in from the halfwall off the rush, beating the Swedish defender to the inside and scoring to tie the game at 1.

    From there, Finland took control of the game until a stroke of bad luck: an Alexander Command shot deflected off the visor of Jesper Kotajärvi and trickled into the net. Just 43 seconds later, Filip Ekberg scored on the doorstep off a beautiful no-look pass from Torkel Jennersjö to make it 3-1. 

    Needing a spark, Finland opened up offensively in the third. Sweden took full advantage with Jennersjö tipping a William Håkansson point shot past Kerkola to extend the lead to 4-1. 

    Finland continued to push, generating several high-quality chances, including a goal that was called back for goaltender interference, but couldn’t capitalize. Isac Nilsson added an empty-netter to seal the win for Sweden before Vilho Vanhatalo added a late tally with 66 seconds remaining. Sweden claimed the 5–2 victory as both teams wrapped up the showcase.

    After dropping their first two showcase games against USA White and USA Blue, Sweden bounced back in a big way, winning three straight against Canada, USA (Merged), and Finland. They will look to carry that momentum into December’s IIHF World Junior Championship.

    Standouts: 

    D Vertti Svensk (Finland | Los Angeles Kings)

    It’s hard to believe Svensk didn’t log a point today. He was a relentless engine in the offensive zone, once again showcasing the high-end speed that’s defined his tournament. That pace translated to the defensive end as well, where he shut down gaps quickly and disrupted Sweden’s attack. Coming in, he felt like a lock for December’s roster; his Showcase performance sealed the deal.

    G Kevin Törnblom (Sweden | 2027 Draft Eligible)

    In his lone appearance of the tournament, Törnblom impressed. He stopped everything expected of him and made several high-quality saves to keep Sweden alive early in the second period. While Sweden’s World Junior goaltending room is crowded with Måns Goos and Love Härenstam also in the mix, Törnblom continues to stay in the conversation, especially coming off a gold-medal run at the U18 World Championships, where he played in all seven games.

    F Torkel Jennersjö (Sweden | 2027 Draft Eligible)

    For a guy who wasn’t expected to make the WJC team for Sweden, Jennersjö has certainly turned some heads over these last 2 games. Tallying another goal and primary assist to add to a strong defensive performance, Jennersjö has earned a closer look for the Swedes. He will close the tournament with 3 goals and an assist in his final 2 games.

    F Jeremi Virtanen (Finland | 2027 Draft Eligible)

    Virtanen was a standout for Team Finland today, scoring the tying goal in the first period on a strong cutback move using his size to get in tight before finishing. Beyond the offensive production, he played a quiet, reliable defensive game and consistently broke up plays in passing lanes. Finishing the World Junior Summer Showcase with four points (2G, 2A), we will see if he has done enough to secure a spot on December’s 25-man roster.

  • 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.

  • USA Blue Takes Down Finland at World Junior Summer Showcase

    Day 2 of the World Junior Summer Showcase kicked off with the two best teams from Day 1 facing off, seeing USA Blue take down Finland 5-1.

    As they did in Game 1, Finland came out of the gates hot, controlling much of the play and generating a handful of high-quality chances. 

    Ryan Cameron, who started for USA Blue, was perfect through his opening period and a half, being a key reason why the game remained knotted at zeros through the opening frame.

    It was just past the 30-minute mark when we saw the opening goal of the game, this time coming off the stick of Ethan Wyttenbach, scoring on the breakaway past the glove of Juuso Ainasto.

    After a strong forecheck from Wyatt Cullen, which knocked the puck off of Max Laatikainen’s stick, Wyttenbach picked it up and fired it home for his second of the game.

    From there, Finland had a strong end to the period, collecting their first goal of the game with Eetu Orpana tipping one past Harrison Boettiger.

    A standout player from yesterday, Brooks Rogowski, showed off his skating ability to score off the rush 34 seconds into the third period.

    Later in the third, Jamie Glance sniped one from a low angle over the shoulder of Juuso Ainasto to ice the game, putting USA Blue up by 3 goals.

    Carter Sanderson potted his fourth goal of the tournament into the empty net to secure the 5-1 final for USA Blue over Finland.

    Standouts: 

    F Ethan Wyttenbach (USA | Calgary Flames)

    Wyttenbach put together another great performance today after yesterday’s game, where he tallied 3 assists en route to a 6-1 win for USA Blue. Today we saw the goal-scoring side come out for him, potting 2 goals en route to the win for USA Blue. 

    F Aapo Katavisto (FIN | 2027 Draft Eligible)

    Yesterday, we highlighted Katavisto as a standout performer for what he did with the puck, collecting a goal and an assist on the day. Today we saw a more complete game, getting into lanes, blocking shots, and playing very well defensively throughout the game, a role you can expect him to play on the main roster come December. 

    D Vertti Svensk (FIN | Los Angeles Kings)

    An extremely strong skater, we saw Svensk continue to control the pace of play around him throughout today’s game. If he can use his speed and edges to get around defenders while also continuing to play well defensively, he could emerge as a minute leader for this Finnish team as they continue the showcase.

    G Ryan Cameron (USA | Edmonton Oilers)

    What previously felt like a set goaltending rotation for the United States could become much more interesting after Cameron’s performance today. The 221st overall pick was lights-out today for USA Blue, with strong positioning, the ability to battle through screens, and good lateral movement. Whether Cameron has done enough through 2 separate 30-minute appearances to make the merged US roster, which will be decided tomorrow, still remains to be seen, but there will be plenty of excitement with what he’s been able to do.

  • Sanderson the Star in 6-1 WJSS Win Over Sweden

    The World Junior Summer Showcase continued with Team USA Blue taking down Sweden 6-1 in dominant fashion at the WFCU Centre in Windsor, Ontario.

    Coming off a 4-goal first period for Finland in the earlier game, it felt like both teams were trying to match it, with chances being traded both ways throughout the opening frame. 

    It took 16 minutes before Carter Sanderson recorded the first goal of the game off a beautiful setup play from Wyatt Cullen. 

    Despite the first period ending with only 9 total shots on net, there were plenty of high-quality chances generated throughout. 

    The second period was similar to the first, with high danger looks for both teams, but for USA Blue they were able to find the scoresheet. 

    Carter Sanderson scored his second goal of the game on a poor turnover from Liam Funck in his own end.

    Brooks Rogowski scored, banking it off the backboard before hitting Isak Sorqvist’s skate and in the net.

    It didn’t take long into the third period for Sweden to respond. After two US turnovers, Theo Stockselius deposited it into the back of the net to bring the Swedes back within 2.

    The momentum for Sweden didn’t last long when Mikey Berchild scored his first of the showcase, giving USA Blue the 3-goal insurance.

    After putting together a strong performance all day long, Wyatt Cullen deflected one home to pick up his first goal of the WJSS.

    To finish the day for USA Blue, Sanderson potted the hat-trick goal to secure the win.

    Both teams will be back tomorrow with USA Blue taking on Finland at 3 p.m. EDT / 10 p.m. EEST and Sweden taking on USA White at 7 p.m. EDT / 1 a.m. CEST.

    The Standouts:

    Brooks Rogowski

    When you think of Rogowski’s 6’7”, 236lbs frame, speed wouldn’t be the first thing you’d expect, but it’s easily one of the most impressive parts of his game. He uses his sneaky speed to slip by defenders and get into the danger areas around the crease. If he can play like he did today throughout the upcoming season, he’ll be a lineup lock for Boxing Day.

    Carter Sanderson

    Sanderson felt like someone who was in the right place at the right time all day today. Capping off his day with a hat trick, he’s going to be one of the most intriguing players to watch as the showcase progresses.

    Wyatt Cullen

    A guy who we talked about in our preview of the tournament, Cullen was outstanding today. A beautiful skating play to set up USA Blue’s first goal while also getting a goal of his own towards the end of the game, it felt like a different USA team when he was on the ice. 

    Tommy Bleyl

    A tremendous skater who continues to show his talents on the big stage. Going coast to coast and jamming in a goal that ended up being called back for goaltender interference, Bleyl will be a must-watch player come December.

    Theo Stockselius

    One of the few highlights from this game for the Swedes, Stockselius generated a number of chances and picked up a goal as a silver lining on an otherwise disappointing day. 

  • Finland Defeat USA White 4-1 At World Junior Summer Showcase

    The World Junior Summer Showcase kicked off with a bang Sunday afternoon, with Team Finland taking down Team USA White 4-1 at the WFCU Centre in Windsor, Ontario.

    Finland came out of the gates flying, taking only 22 seconds to get on the board with a goal from Jeremi Virtanen. 

    It didn’t stop there for Team Finland; Aapo Vanninen tipped in a shot from Jesper Kotajarvi at the blue line some three minutes later to give the Finns a two-goal lead.

    The Finns kept pouring it on from there; Aapo Katavisto scored off his own breakaway rebound, and then Jere Somervuori jammed home a rebound to take a 4-0 lead into the intermission.

    In the second period, we saw the return of USA White. Brent Solomon one-timed it home from a beautiful pass from Teddy Mutryn to get USA White on the board. 

    You could feel the desperation set in for the USA White team throughout the third period, but Finland remained sound defensively and secured the win, taking it 4-1.

    Both teams will be back tomorrow with Finland taking on USA Blue at 3 p.m. EDT / 10 p.m. EEST and USA White taking on Sweden at 7 p.m. EDT / 1 a.m. CEST.

    The Standouts:

    F Aapo Katavisto (Finland | 2027 Draft Eligible)

    It was a very strong opening game of the World Junior Summer Showcase for Katavisto. The 6’0”, 183-pound winger was a force all game long, creating high-quality chances with his speed and grit whenever he stepped on the ice. He finished the game tied for the point lead with 1 goal and 1 assist for 2 points.

    G Jester Rossi (Finland | 2027 Draft Eligible)

    Rossi had a busy game in this one and looked very strong. In what is expected to be a fierce competition for the starter’s net, Rossi put together a very strong case in today’s game as to why he should be the starter for Finland come Boxing Day.

    G Ryder Fetterolf (USA | Carolina Hurricanes)

    Starting on the bench for today’s game, Fetterolf was not on my bingo card to be a standout for today. Coming in for Xavier Wendt after a four-goal first period, Fetterolf was a key reason why this game remained as close as it did right to the end. Utilizing strong edges and good positioning, Fetterolf looked good throughout his 40 minutes of action, and with a projected start on Monday, he will look to solidify his spot on the merged team in hopes of making the World Juniors team come December.