THN.com/podcast. From THN American Pipeline: NCAA, NTDP, USHL and More Leagues Shine at 2023 NHL Draft Cutter Gauthier [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MTkzOTgxMjU2Nzg5MTQwOTk3/usatsi_18660351.jpg] Cutter Gauthier In preparation for the World Junior Championship at the end of the year, USA Hockey hosted the World Junior Summer Showcase as a training camp with competitive games against Sweden and Finland in Plymouth, Mich. The event featured a Team USA split squad to give them plenty of opportunities to assess their players heading into the start of the season, where they will select the U-20 squad for the world juniors. There were plenty of players who put their best foot forward at the early August event. While there's still a lot of hockey to play between now and the naming of each team, having a chance to get players together for a week-and-a-half of practice and gameplay is valuable. Let’s look at who stood out in Plymouth. CUTTER GAUTHER, LW, USA (PHILADELPHIA FLYERS) When a player dominates and bullies his opponents in a summer tournament like Gauthier did at the summer showcase, you can’t help but get excited to see what he will look like in mid-season form. Gauthier has been a force of nature, using his blend of physicality and speed to get to the inside, where his impressive shot becomes lethal. Gauthier was already one of the Americans’ best players at the world juniors last year, and he may be in contention to be their leading scorer over the holidays this time around. Gauthier can play center or wing, which should make him one of the Americans’ most versatile forwards when the powers that be select the final roster. FRANK NAZAR, C, USA (CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS) If there were any questions about whether the University of Michigan center was healthy, they’ve been answered. Nazar had a four-goal game against Sweden and routinely displayed the speed and skill that enticed fans prior to his hip injury. The controlled chaos that is Nazar’s game was entertaining and consistently caused issues for opposing players. Nazar missed most of last season with Michigan, including the World Junior Championship. Fully healthy and back to form, the Wolverines will rely on Nazar. He is a dark-horse Hobey Baker candidate for this upcoming season, and he should be one of the most dangerous forwards at the world juniors. LANE HUTSON, D, USA (MONTREAL CANADIENS) It’s not shocking that one of the most dynamic players outside the NHL was good at the World Junior Summer Showcase. Lane Huston scored one of the goals of the tournament against the Swedes, manipulating defenders deep in the zone, coming out from behind the net, and scoring from in tight. He used his skating on both sides of the ice, defending with his speed and skill and then attacking up ice with speed. Hutson should be the team’s best defenseman when the world juniors rolls around, and he will head into the college year as the favorite for the Hobey Baker. His creativity, deceptive skill and cerebral mindset with the puck are truly special. It will be very exciting to see just how good Hutson can be this upcoming season. OLIVER MOORE, C, USA (CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS) His summer showcase may have been a bit understated because he didn’t score the way that others on the U.S. teams did, but Moore was so good at all of the little things throughout the event. His 200-foot game was on display as he routinely broke up plays in his own end. His speed was always apparent, and when he did put points on the board, it was almost always because he broke free from a defender for a breakaway or won a race to a puck and then found a teammate with a crisp pass. Moore should be a pivotal member of the U.S. world junior squad as he is capable of playing up and down the lineup, at center or wing. His speed will play in all situations, and his intelligence will allow him to be effective at both ends of the ice. He was the best player on the ice in the final game at the showcase, driving his line and collecting two goals in the process. WILL SMITH, C, USA (SAN JOSE SHARKS) Smith is one of the most dynamic forwards in camp for the U.S. squad, and he did a good job of showcasing that part of his game while also playing more of a simplified version of what we saw with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program last year. He wasn’t quite as high-flying as when he was in a trio with Gabe Perreault and Ryan Leonard, but he managed to adapt to new linemates quite well and eventually did see ice time with Perreault. Smith should be one of the Americans' top two centers, with Nazar likely taking the top spot. The uber-skilled Smith will likely center the second line, where we could see the NTDP trio reunite and create magic on the world stage. We might also get a chance to see the three of them continue playing on a line together at Boston College in the fall. JAMES HAGENS, C, USA (2025 NHL DRAFT ELIGIBLE) It was impressive to see Hagens slowly become more and more comfortable as the showcase went on, playing a pivotal role and outperforming just about everyone on his team in the final game. He was a bit snake-bitten when it came to the points department, but he constantly generated chances. Whether on the rush, on the cycle, on the power play or on a breakaway, Hagens was all over the ice. While many were impressed with Cole Eiserman’s shooting talent, it was Hagens' mature and methodical game that shone brightest from start to finish at the WJSS. Hagens was a field general on the ice, directing traffic, filling gaps and understanding exactly what play needed to be made. It’s tough for a player to make the world junior squad as a draft-minus-two player, but Hagens looks like the ideal bottom-six center for a squad that could use some scoring depth and versatility. OTTO STENBERG, LW, SWEDEN (ST. LOUIS BLUES) When Stenberg puts the Tre Kronor jersey on, he raises his game to another level, and he did exactly that at the summer showcase. The high-octane creator played with a feistiness that got under the Americans' skin a number of times. Stenberg was outstanding in transition as per usual, and his ability to shift his weight and get a defender to bite on a move one way before dashing across their face was routinely evident. Stenberg should play a valuable role for the Swedes at the world juniors tournament. He had numerous people in Plymouth talking about how important his play could be – he can light the fire under a team that isn’t typically able to do that once the games become important. Stenberg was a constant area of attention for Sweden in almost every game they played. FELIX UNGER SORUM, RW, SWEDEN (CAROLINA HURRICANES) One of the most impressive forwards for the Swedes from start to finish at the showcase was Unger Sorum. He routinely made plays in the offensive zone to set his teammates up in excellent scoring positions. He engaged physically and looked to let his opponents know that nothing would come easy. The outlook for Unger Sorum on the Swedish world junior team is interesting as he has the skill and production to play in the top six but the work ethic and speed to play in the bottom six. He may ultimately be relegated to a lower spot to allow older players a chance to prove their worth higher in the lineup, but he's a nice contingency option to have. ELIAS SALOMONSSON, D, SWEDEN (WINNIPEG JETS) There was so much to like about Salomonsson’s game at the WJSS. His game seems to be rounding into the form everyone expected going into his draft year. His ability to move the puck as a passer and skater is impressive while he was all over the defensive zone, using his length to poke pucks away and engaging physically along the boards. The Jets’ second-round pick in 2022 looked like he could be one of the pillars on the Swedish blueline in December. He played a smart, poised game with and without the puck. The Swedes’ strength is their back end, and Salomonsson should be a big-time contributor in all situations. ARON KIVIHARJU, D, FINLAND (2024 NHL DRAFT ELIGIBLE) The ability to play calmly under pressure while exploiting his opponents with his skill is special. The 17-year-old defender plays an incredibly composed game, looking like a veteran out on the ice. His understanding of how to manipulate opponents, alter passing lanes and quickly maneuver in and out of traffic sets him apart. His performance at the summer showcase proved that he has the capabilities of being a No. 1 defender for this team when the World Junior Championship rolls around. Kiviharju will have every chance to cement his draft position as he will likely play a big role with big minutes for the Finnish U-20 team. OTTO SALIN, D, FINLAND (LOS ANGELES KINGS) From Game 1 to Game 4, there may not have been a defender at the event who was more consistently solid than Salin. His ability to calm play down and make the right play with or without the puck was impressive. Salin doesn’t have a standout skill, and he didn’t have a ‘wow’ play, but the young Finn did everything he was asked to do and more. Salin was a perfect complementary piece and safety guard for Kiviharju. They paired together extremely well, understanding when the other was pinching in or looking to keep play alive and ensuring they stayed in solid defensive positioning. The Salin-Kiviharju pairing should be the Finns' top pair in December. NIKLAS KOKKO, G, FINLAND (SEATTLE KRAKEN) The competition for starting netminder at the world juniors for the Finns looks to be settled. Niklas Kokko was very good throughout the tournament, and he capped it with a stellar win against Team USA White, stealing the game for the Finnish squad and allowing them to stay close enough to get a couple of late goals and secure the win. Kokko dealt with an American onslaught at the end of the game and celebrated with a massive fist pump and shout at the buzzer. The Kraken prospect looked solid in net, squaring up to shooters and clamping down on the puck whenever he had the chance. He limited rebounds by absorbing the puck into his chest to prevent second chances. It was an excellent showcase for Kokko.
