Top standouts from the 2026 World Junior Summer Showcase

Aug 2, 2026, 09:00 EDT

Top standouts from the 2026 World Junior Summer Showcase

Credit: Steven Ellis

WINDSOR, Ont. – The World Junior Hockey Championship is one of the top events on the hockey calendar every year. But for those who are true sickos, the World Junior Summer Showcase is enough to get fans through the doldrums of the offseason.

This event is special because you often get better prospects than you might see at the actual event. That’s because some of these players will already be in the NHL once the season begins and won’t be loaned out. For the most part, though, it was a good opportunity to see what the early talent level will be once the main event happens in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta, later this year.

The Americans are well represented here, which makes sense since they played the most games (they had two teams to start the showcase). Finland brought what as more of a “B” level team, and ultimately left a lot to be desired. Canada played the fewest at just three games, but brought perhaps the deepest squad of any.

No medals were given out – nobody “won” the event. But today, after spending the past few days in Windsor, it’s time to look at some of the top standouts from the four-team affair:

Ethan Wyttenbach, Theo Stockselius and Cole Reschny (Calgary Flames)

Flames fans, get hyped. Not only was USA’s Ethan Wyttenbach the top performer this week, but Theo Stockselius was Sweden’s top player, too. That two-goal third period against Canada on Wednesday was a big reason why the Swedes ended up winning a game they otherwise struggled in for a good 35 minutes. Cole Reschny, meanwhile, only played near the end of the week but won just about every individual battle he had.

If you’re a Flames fan, the fact that these three were all among the top players on their respective teams has to feel so good. Heck, Wyttenbach and Reschny traded goals throughout the final match. Wyttenbach looks like a legit top-line winger for USA. Stockselius could end up becoming the team’s No. 1 center if the cards fall his way with some of Sweden’s top stars going to the NHL instead. Reschny played on the wing a year ago, but has a legit chance of being the No. 1/2 center in Edmonton.

Filip Ekberg, RW, Sweden (Carolina Hurricanes)

Ekberg was left off the team a year ago, but there’s no way that happens again in Alberta. The Ottawa 67’s star had three goals and five points in five games to finish as one of the tournament’s most productive wingers. He’s forceful on the power play, and he’s also solid at drawing penalties thanks to his pace in the offensive zone. Ekberg’s consistency was important for the Swedes; he only failed to hit the scoresheet once, coming against the United States on the penultimate day. But even then, he was one of Sweden’s more skilled forwards. If he could replicate the absolute carnage he brought to the table during the 2025 U-18s, he’ll be electric.

William Håkansson, D, Sweden (Carolina Hurricanes)

Håkansson is one of the most boring players I’ve ever seen play hockey, and I mean that in the best way possible. The 6-foot-4 blueliner plays with absolutely no flash or finish, but he’ll beat you to the puck in the D zone and take away any space you thought you possibly had. Håkansson is a shutdown defender who does a tremendous job of getting in the way – more so than anyone we’ve seen at this tournament, defensively. His game is best when he’s not trying to do much with the puck, but it was nice to see him get a pair of points against the United States on Thursday. I don’t typically love Håkansson’s one-dimensional game, but this felt like some of the best hockey we’ve seen from him.

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Vertti Svensk, LHD, Finland (Los Angeles Kings)

It’s difficult to ignore Svensk’s appeal. The Kings prospect is a remarkable skater – the best on Finland’s blueline. He’s so fluid and does an impressive job of carrying the puck at speed. He uses his footwork to quickly evade attackers and sidestep opponents along the boards. In Windsor, it felt like he rarely got himself into trouble because he’d outwork anyone who went up against him. My concern about him heading into the draft was his decision-making under pressure, but it didn’t seem to cause him many issues over the past few days. I think we’re looking at a potential third-pairing defender in the NHL, but I could see him playing a top-four role in Alberta in a few months.

L.J. Mooney, RW, USA (Montreal Canadiens)

Canadiens fans have been excited about Mooney, and it’s easy to understand why. The small but skilled winger managed to find scoring lanes all over the offensive zone and was rewarded with a big goal against Sweden. Even though he wasn’t one of the more productive players, you could tell how impactful he was with the puck every time he hit the ice. When he hasn’t been in the lineup, you can tell the Americans haven’t been as dynamic offensively. With him, though, it’s a dangerous group to try and contain. Mooney’s going to play a big role for the Americans in December thanks to his dog-on-a-bone energy. It feels like he’s built to thrive in a big moment because he plays with so much energy and skill.

Wyatt Cullen, C, USA (Nashville Predators)

Cullen didn’t need to be flashy to be effective. But, man, few players in this tournament were capable of matching his play. I felt like he made a ton of great plays in transition and his two-way game was exceptionally strong. I like how involved he was at both ends, which is probably why the coaching staff kept him at center all tournament long despite playing left wing last season. Speaking of the coaching staff: don’t split Cullen and Wyttenbach. There’s no doubt that he’s going to be a top six player on the American roster when the tournament happens for real, but today was a great start.

Carter Amico, RHD (Philadelphia Flyers)

Amico received rave reviews from Philly development camp, so I was excited to see what type of role he’d end up having here. And, damn; he was legitimately one of the best defensemen in Windsor. In two years with the National Team Development Program, Amico had just one goal. Last season, he had one regular season goal and then three in the playoffs. That felt like a breakthrough for a guy who hadn’t really put a ton of pucks on net since he was about 13 years old. But Amico was outstanding at this tournament, creating some high-quality offensive chances every single night. He’s one of those guys that really had to find a way to play their way onto the main roster, but I know the coaching staff had to love what they saw with his two-way game. Amico’s bread and butter is taking space away swiftly and effectively, but the up-ice puck rushes were a nice touch, as well.

Teddy Mutryn, C/LW, USA (San Jose Sharks)

Mutryn didn’t have much to show for offensively (he did have a two-assist game, though), but I thought his all-around game was excellent. Mutryn is a hard-working two-way player who effectively chases after pucks and wins most of his battles along the boards. He’s good on the rush, but he’s best away from the puck where he takes space away and makes it his life goal to regain possession of the puck. Mutryn won’t wow you with his skill, but if he makes USA’s roster, it could be in more of a defensive, energy role. I think he made a strong argument to get on the final roster in a fourth-line role.

Chase Reid, RHD, USA (Seattle Kraken)

USA’s defense was so much more dynamic with Reid running the show. He’s just so good, and I feel like some teams are going to wish they didn’t pass him up at the draft. Reid was USA’s top defenseman, making some outstanding plays all game long. I love the way he runs the power play, because he commands so much attention that no opponent seems to know how to handle. Reid has an outstanding shot. He’s very deceptive with the puck, and he can get into scoring lanes quickly. It didn’t feel like I was watching him during a summer hockey tournament. It truly felt like he was already in midseason form, which is pretty rare to find, even when you’re a top defenseman at this event.

Ethan Belchetz, LW, Canada (Utah Mammoth)

For a guy who hadn’t played in about half a year, Belchetz looked like a man on a mission this week. He was physically strong, but also always active on the attack and giving his linemates quality locations to pass to. Belchetz didn’t score in the first game against Sweden, but he had a big goal in the final outing against the Americans to get his team moving. He has never lacked confidence, and you have to have loads of it when you’re the Tasmanian Devil on skates. Belchetz looks ready to terrorize goalies in the NCAA this season, and should factor into Canada’s top nine.

Brooks Rogowski, C, USA (Vancouver Canucks)

Rogowski was an absolute force whenever he hit the ice. The huge centerman is outstanding as a net-front presence, and he had a few goals early in the tournament to show for it. I liked his instant chemistry with fellow human skyscraper Mason West later in the tourney – they were downright scary. Rogowski is a powerhouse forward who gives opponents so little space to work with. He’s got a big frame and he’s strong defensively. For a big center to thrive, they’ve got to be a great skater. He absolutely fits the bill, and I think Vancouver will fall in love with him in a bottom-six role. USA will, too, because it feels like there’s an excellent chance we’ll see him at the next two WJCs.

Jesse Pärssinen, LW, Finland (2027)

The Finns lacked a true game-breaker, so they needed someone to really take control. Pärssinen was always seen trying to make offensive plays work, no matter the situation. Against his own age group, that’s his play style – he looks to exploit the space he doesn’t get when he’s playing against men. Internationally, Pärssinen has been quite notable throughout his career, but he hasn’t played in a major IIHF event since the 2025 U-18s – where he had just one goal in five games. I expect Parssinen to be an impact player for the Finns when the games really matter if he continues to do whatever it takes to get pucks on net while chasing after rebounds.

Dima Zhilkin, RW, Canada (2027 NHL Draft)

Even as one of the younger players at Canada’s camp, it feels like Zhilkin is a lock to make the final team. The high-octane offensive game that led to him scoring twice against Finland was precisely what makes him so dangerous. The mid-sized forward plays with relentless energy, making sure he’s involved physically in every single shift. He’s not afraid to play on the edge of life or death because he comes out with the puck more often than not. He’s lethal in tight, and he has some of the best hands in the 2027 draft class. Zhilkin might not be big, but that’s not going to slow him down because he’s just so good whenever he’s chasing after the puck. Don’t be surprised if he goes in the top 10 next summer.

Also considered: Mason West, RW, USA (Chicago Blackhawks); Carter Sanderson, LW, USA (Pittsburgh Penguins); Brooks Rogowski, C, USA (Vancouver Canucks); Jeremi Virtanen, C, Finland (Undrafted); Rasmus Kämäräinen, LW, Finland (Undrafted)

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