Three players from the US National Team Development Program have tested positive for COVID-19 according to Katie Strang and Craig Custance of The Athletic (subscription required), throwing the viability of holding the World Junior Summer Showcase later this month into question. Though the other usual participating nations—Canada, Finland, and Sweden—had pulled out of the event already, USA Hockey was still planning on holding the event in Plymouth, Michigan starting July 24.
The report examines how that will be difficult given Michigan’s current health mandates. Last month, USA Hockey announced the 43-man roster for the event, which includes nine members from the previous World Junior team that finished in sixth place. Other high-profile prospects like Cole Caufield (MTL), Spencer Knight (FLA), Trevor Zegras (ANA), and Alex Turcotte (LAK) were all included on the roster.
- The USHL will drive forward with plans to hold a full 2020-21 season, announcing today that is still their main focus. The league was forced to cancel the remainder of the 2019-20 season due to the coronavirus outbreak but like all junior leagues are trying to find a way back into competition this fall. While there were no dates or timelines in the release, the league’s board of directors will (digitally) meet weekly to work towards a “return to play for the 2020-21 season while ensuring the safety of everyone involved.”
- How will Scott Perunovich fare in professional hockey? The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler (subscription required) took a look at the reigning Hobey Baker Award winner and several other St. Louis Blues prospects today, giving NHL comparisons for each one. In Wheeler’s words, Perunovich was the most difficult one to find a comparison for because “there aren’t a lot of 5-foot-10 defensemen in the NHL and none of them play quite like [him].”
I sure hope the USHL resumes play this fall, because a number of drafted and even undrafted players in Ivy League schools will be needing a place to play this fall with the Ivy League schools cancelling sports this year.
I hope NHL teams that drafted kids who were prepared to play on Ivy League teams this year have a plan in place to get them ice time somewhere. Losing a full year of experience will be a huge set back for them.