While the hockey world waits for NHL training camps in a few months, draft gurus and prospect evaluators everywhere are getting ready to tune in to the World Junior Summer Showcase that starts this evening in Plymouth, Michigan. The two Team USA squads will take on each other and teams from Sweden and Finland before joining forces and taking on the rival Canadians. The full schedule is as follows:
All times central
July 26:
USA Blue vs USA White – 4:30pm
July 27:
USA White vs Finland – 12:00pm
USA Blue vs Sweden – 3:00pm
July 28:
USA Blue vs Finland – 12:00pm
USA White vs Sweden – 3:00pm
July 30:
Canada vs USA – 3:00pm
July 31:
Canada vs Finland – 12:00pm
USA vs Sweden – 3:00pm
August 2:
Sweden vs Canada – 12:00pm
Finland vs USA – 3:00pm
August 3:
Sweden vs Finland – 12:00pm
USA vs Canada – 3:00pm
This tournament will help the respective programs prepare for the next IIHF World Junior Championship which will be held in the Czech Republic starting on December 26th. It is also a great chance for players who were just drafted or aren’t eligible until next year to show off their skills to NHL fans that might have missed them so far. Several first round selections like Cole Caufield, John Beecher, Alex Turcotte and Cam York will be suiting up for the Blue squad, while the White team has Matthew Boldy, Trevor Zegras and returning players like Oliver Wahlstrom and K’Andre Miller.
There will also be plenty of attention placed on Canada’s roster, as potential 2020 first-overall pick Alexis Lafreniere is set to suit up. The 17-year old had 105 points for the Rimouski Oceanic in the QMJHL last season and is one of the players that you never want to take your eyes off of. If you want to know more about the future of Swedish hockey pay close attention to Lucas Raymond, who played ten games in the SHL last season despite only turning 17 in March. Raymond and teammate Alexander Holtz are both in early contention for the second overall pick, though there is still a long way to go before any decisions are made.