World Junior Summer Showcase Recap
The 2023 World Junior Summer Showcase is a first glimpse of the possible rosters for the United States, Finland and Sweden. We highlight some of the top prospects that jumped out to our scouting staff, as well as top producers and more.
Quick Hits
71.6% of rostered players are drafted by NHL teams
52.6% of rostered players drafted in rounds 1-3
San Jose leads all NHL teams with 7 prospects, New York Islanders 5
8 players eligible for 2024 NHL Draft, 1 for 2025
18 undrafted prospects, Finland (11), Sweden (7)
USA
Results
7.29 - Sweden 7 vs USA Blue 0
7.29 - Finland 4 vs USA White 2
7.31 - USA Blue 4 vs Finland 1
7.31 - USA White 10 vs Sweden 1
8.2 - USA White 7 vs USA Blue 3
8.4 - Finland 4 vs USA White 3
8.4 - USA Blue 5 vs Sweden 4
The United States carried 2 teams in the tournament, white and blue, and were certainly the deepest team when it comes to NHL drafted and draft eligible talent. 30% of the USA roster’s were drafted in the opening 3 rounds, 12 1st rounders and 6 eligible for the 2024 NHL Draft.
Frank Nazar led USA prospects in points with 8 (5G 3A), powered by a 4G 1A performance in USA White’s 10-1 victory over Sweden. Cutter McGroarty and Cutter Gauthier each had finished with 5 points, adding a physical , aggressive element to USA’s forecheck and offensive play, while each having the heavy shot and scoring touch to finish plays. The soon to be Boston College trio of Will Smith (0G 5A), Ryan Leonard (1G 4A) and Gabe Perreault (2G 2A) were also stood out throughout the tournament, strong on the puck and creative when attacking the net.
Montreal Canadians draft pick Lane Hutson showed off his elusive skating ability in tight spaces with one of the goals of the tournament. His ability on the puck is dynamic, and will be a prospect to watch this season as he returns to Boston University after a historic freshman season, tallying 48 points in 39 games. Another NCAA prospect with a strong showcase was New Jersey Devils’ prospect Seamus Casey, bringing composure on the puck with fluid skating ability, but also a physical element, landing some solid, open ice checks on larger opponents.
Cole Eiserman and James Hagens were the youngest players for the Americans, both seeming to fit right in despite stat lines that didnt exactly jump off the page. Both players rewrote the historical stat books last season in the U17 Hockey Challenge, while Eiserman was the hero in last seasons U18 world championship. Outside of his known ability to score and create offensive, our scouts were impressed with his compete, and small area skill to win / retain possession of pucks before creating.
Hagens is certainly a top prospect for the 2025 draft, with elite skating ability and control. One area that jumped out this tournament was his tenacity / physicality on pucks, as well as after the whistle. He seemed engaged, and motivated to make an impact off the puck, with glimpses of offensive magic as well. His start to the year at the USNTDP will be important for a shot at making the team in December, but a must watch for all hockey scouts as he is still uncommitted entering the 23-24 season.
Draft Eligible Prospects
2024 : Andrew Oke - Goaltender Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
2024 : Zeev Buium - Defense USNTDP (USHL)
2024 : Tyler Duke - Defense Ohio State University (Big 10)
2024 : Jake Livanavage - Defense Chicago Steel (USHL)
2024 : Vinny Borgesi - Defense Northeastern University (HEA)
2024 : Cole Eiserman - Forward USNTDP (USHL)
2025 : James Hagens - Forward USNTDP (USHL)
Rosters
Sweden
Results
7.29 - Sweden 7 vs USA Bue 0
7.31 - USA White 10 vs Sweden 1
8.2 - Sweden 3 vs Finland 2
8.4 - USA Blue 5 vs Sweden 4
Sweden entered the tournament without some of their big names available for the 2023 World Junior Championship, but still boasted a roster with 14 players selected in the first 3 rounds of the NHL Draft. Felix Unger Sorum, a Carolina 2nd round pick in 2023, led Team Sweden in points with 5A and San Jose 2022 1st round pick Filip Bystedt led in goals with a 3G performance in final game vs USA Blue. Bystedt was a force using his length/ 6’4” size, driving with speed, with the offensive skill to finish plays as well.
Detroit drafted a possible stud in Axel Sandin Pellikka in 2023 17th overall. Despite an underwhelming stat line of just 1G, the Skelleftea AIK product has a commanding presence defensively and showed the offensive skill to create chances for himself off the rush.
In goal, Kevin Reidler was the only drafted goaltender for Sweden, and struggled vs USA White in a 10-1 loss. Hugo Havelid and Alexander Hellnemo, both undrafted, will be prospects to watch through the early part of 2023 as potential candidates for the starting job. Hellnemo started the final 2 games of the tournament, ending with a 3-2 win over Finland.
Finland
Results
7.29 - Finland 4 vs USA White 2
7.31 - USA Blue 4 vs Finland 1
8.2 - Sweden 3 vs Finland 2
8.4 - Finland 4 vs USA White 3
Team Finland had no first round picks rostered, but had some impressive standouts in New Jersey Devils 2023 2nd round pick Lenni Hameenaho, and Seattle Kraken 2022 2nd round pick Niklas Kokko. Kokko was extremely quick laterally and recovering in his 3 starts and looks to be the favorite in net for Finland, while fellow Seattle Kraken prospect Visa Vedenpaa started 1 game vs USA Blue.
Lenni Hameenaho finished 2nd overall in points (2G 5A) behind USA’s Frank Nazar, getting to high traffic areas and showing a natural sense in the offensive zone. Team Finland also had 2 prospects eligible for the 2024 draft, headlined by Aron Kiviharju.
The left handed defenseman is not a newcomer to scouts, and showed glimpses of his patient, natural ability with the puck, facilitating breakouts or transitions with ease. Not the biggest or most explosive (yet), Kiviharju impressed on both sides of the puck, especially defending odd man chances, despite being known more for his offensive ability. Will be another top prospect to keep an eye on, playing for HIFK in Liiga next season.
Draft Eligible Prospects
2024 : Aron Kiviharju - Defense HIFK Helsinki (Liiga)
2024 : Konsta Helenius - Forward Jukurit Mikkeli (Liiga)
Rosters
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