The highest ten NHL prospects to observe on the World Junior Summer season Showcase

Don’t ever let folks inform you hockey takes a break in the summertime.
Certain, the NHL does, however there’s by no means actually a break. KHL coaching camps have been in session for a number of weeks now and a few groups around the globe have been internet hosting exhibition video games to get again within the swing of issues. Hockey Canada, specifically, has been internet hosting U-17 and U-18 camps over the previous few days, simply shortly after USA Hockey completed their summer season choose camps.
Now, 4 of the world’s high junior groups – Canada, Finland, Sweden and america – will participate in a week-long match in Plymouth, Michigan, at USA Hockey Enviornment, with an American split-squad sport opening the motion on Friday night. The Hockey Information’ prospect knowledgeable Ryan Kennedy will likely be in Plymouth to soak up the motion subsequent week after all of the groups reduce down their remaining rosters.
For a lot of fanbases, that is the primary time to see their 2019 draft picks in motion for the reason that June choice course of. With that in thoughts, listed here are a few of the high NHL prospects to regulate in Plymouth:
Colten Ellis, G, Canada (St. Louis)With no clear favourite at this level, Canada’s goaltending scenario for the true match is huge open. This makes this summer season match so necessary for somebody like Ellis, a promising teen coming off an awesome season with Rimouski. Ellis was unspectacular with Canada’s U-18 workforce in 2018 however he’s confirmed by way of his QMJHL play that he deserves a shot. If he can replicate how he performed throughout the playoffs this coming season, he’ll have the sting between the pipes.
Liam Foudy, C, Canada (Columbus)Foudy had a 28-point enhance in London this season regardless of the departures of some key forwards. Foudy, who was a late reduce from Canada’s world junior workforce final season, ought to issue into the highest six after some stable showings with the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters on the finish of this previous season. He’ll be counted on to create offense, each subsequent week and throughout the large occasion within the winter and Foudy shouldn’t have any challenge stepping as much as the plate.
Jett Woo, D, Canada (Vancouver)Woo carried out nicely throughout final summer season’s showcase, as his bodily play was very noticeable all through the match. Woo fell wanting expectations in his draft yr resulting from accidents however his 66 factors in 2018-19 had been good for fifth amongst WHL defensemen. Woo will likely be utilized on the facility play and will likely be liable for producing offense from the purpose – one thing that Canada will want particularly on the summer season showcase with Noah Dobson and Ty Smith lacking out. Canada’s protection received’t have a problem scoring within the Czech Republic and Woo will solely make them higher.
Oliver Wahlstrom, RW, USA (NY Islanders)Wahlstrom has so much to show after a disappointing freshman season with Boston School, electing to go professional after only one yr. Wahlstrom is a critical contender to make the Islanders out of coaching camp, particularly after a pleasant stint with Bridgeport to complete off 2018-19. He was noticeably quiet for the Individuals eventually yr’s World Junior Championship with 4 factors in seven video games however he’ll be a giant catalyst for the Individuals this season as an older participant with professional expertise below his belt.
Marshall Warren, D, USA (Minnesota)Warren is taken into account a longshot to make USA’s roster after getting added as a fill-in for Alec Regula, however that’s precisely what makes him one to observe. The summer season showcase is an ideal time for gamers to rise by way of and earn consideration to make the ultimate WJC roster, which received’t be simple for the 18-year-old given how Staff USA will probably stack the again finish with older defenders. Warren, set to play with Boston School subsequent season, is a slick passer and was an underrated member of USA Hockey’s Nationwide Staff Improvement Program final season because of the prominence of Cam York on the purpose. Warren’s offensive aptitude from the purpose and skill to outskate most forwards makes him one to regulate in Plymouth.
Alex Turcotte, C, USA (Los Angeles)The L.A. Kings had been large winners on the 2019 draft, with Turcotte being the true prize after many anticipated him to go to Chicago two picks earlier at No. three. The College of Wisconsin commit has been a high participant at each worldwide match he has participated in and with Jack Hughes out of the image, Turcotte has an opportunity to steal the highlight. The truth is, Turcotte already appears able to taking the No. 1 heart function and will lineup beside Wahlstrom and Matt Boldy, so the WJSS will likely be used to see how he handles the strain.
Patrik Puistola, LW, Finland (Carolina)Finland has already been busy this month, internet hosting a match again dwelling in opposition to the Czech Republic and Switzerland. Puistola was one of the vital noticeable gamers with three objectives in two video games, utilizing his pace to drive turnovers and create breakaway alternatives typically. Puistola, a Carolina draft decide final month, is the early favourite to play on the highest left-wing spot this yr for the Finns and momentum appears to be on his aspect. Will he problem for the scoring lead in Plymouth? Completely. He by no means appears to disappoint when representing his nation – his 5 objectives in as many video games had been very important throughout Finland’s run on the world under-18s in April – and this summer season match will likely be no exception.
Lassi Thomson, D, Finland (Ottawa)Thomson was within the information lately after deciding to re-join the Ilves group for 2019-20 forward of his professional debut in a number of months. This will likely be a giant yr for Thomson: he was underwhelming in his seven video games with Finland’s U-20 workforce final yr and was in the end left off the world junior roster. The Finns might see Ville Heinola, Anttoni Honka and Toni Utunen return to the blueline in December so Thomson might want to show he’s worthy of massive minutes on a workforce with good depth all through the lineup. He was good on the exhibition match in Finland this previous week, however there’s nonetheless work to be executed.
Samuel Fagemo, RW, Sweden (Los Angeles)Regardless of a disappointing world junior effort final yr with one help in 5 video games, Fagemo was one of many high overagers for the 2019 draft, giving the Kings an absolute steal at No. 50. With 25 factors in 42 video games with Frolunda within the SHL, Fagemo adjusted to the professional sport nicely and sometimes put his terrific wrist shot on show. Fagemo, who had loads of probabilities to shine on a workforce that received SHL and Champions League titles final season, will likely be Sweden’s high proper winger in Plymouth and for the true occasion within the Czech Republic a number of months from now.
David Gustafsson, C, Sweden (Winnipeg)The Jets love their Europeans, and Gustafsson isn’t removed from his large shot within the NHL. Set for his third season within the SHL, Gustafsson was a great supporting forged member of Sweden’s 2019 world junior workforce, recording three assists. This time, although, he initiatives to play top-line minutes and Plymouth will likely be a great probability for the Swedes to gauge how nicely that’s going to work. Sweden will miss a little bit of the star energy it has had over the previous few years (but it surely looks as if the higher they’re on paper, the more severe they do) so Gustafsson might want to step as much as the plate.
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Tags: carolina hurricanes, worldwide hockey, la kings, minnesota wild, big apple islanders, ottawa senators, st. louis blues, vancouver canucks, winnipeg jets, world junior championshipConnect: Concerning the AuthorSteven EllisSteven Ellis is a Digital Content material Producer for The Hockey Information. He spends his free time listening to music you would not like and watches obnoxiously-long motor races.