Of the three Buffalo Sabres prospects participating in the World Junior Summer Showcase this week in Minneapolis, MN, 2024 second-round pick Adam Kleber and third-round pick Brodie Ziemer already have a gold medal on their resume and a virtual lock on a roster spot for Team USA this December, but for fourth-rounder Luke Osburn, the showcase is his big opportunity to get on their radar.
The 18-year-old, who was named the USHL’s Defenseman of the Year after scoring 41 points (10 goals, 31 assists) in 55 games for the Youngstown Phantoms last season, scored a goal for the US Blue team split squad in a 5-2 loss to Sweden on Sunday, and against Finland on Monday, set up teammate Kamil Bednarik for a power play tally.
Other Sabres Stories
Byram Situation Leaves Sabres In Limbo
Six Former Sabres Who Signed Elsewhere
Osburn, who played alongside Kleber in the 3-2 loss to the Finns, will have an uphill climb to make the US squad populated with blueliners who already have NCAA and/or World Junior experience, like Kleber, Cole Hutson, EJ Emery, Dakoda Rheaume-Mullen, and Will Skahan. Osburn’s skating and offensive abilities may give him an upper hand, but the final determination may come down to how he does as a freshman at the University of Wisconsin in the fall.
Other Sabres prospects not in this tournament who undoubtedly will play in Minneapolis for their respective countries are first rounders Konsta Helenius (Finland) and Radim Mrtka (Czechia). Other possibles include Sabres 2025 fourth-rounder Matous Kucharcik (Czechia) and seventh-rounder Melvin Novotny(Sweden) – who each played at the Under-18’s for their respective countries.
Follow Michael on X, Instagram, and Bluesky @MikeInBuffalo