2026 top pick Daxon Rudolph is likely to play for the host country in Alberta this December
Four countries will take part in the annual World Junior Summer Showcase, starting this weekend in Windsor, ON. Teams from the United States, Canada, Sweden, and Finland will play 10 games over six days and two Buffalo Sabres prospects will be taking part.
2025 goalie prospect Samuel Meloche and 2026 top pick Daxon Rudolph are among 32 players on Canada’s roster. The 19-year-old The 6’3” 198 lb. netminder started 51 games for Rouyn-Noranda of the QMJHL in 2025 and was the primary starter for the Huskies last season, going 33-13-3, with a 2.75 GAA and an .897 save %, and 10-7-0 during the QMJHL playoffs.
University of Michigan goalie Jack Ivankovic, who has played in the last two WJC’s for Canada is the likely starter for the host country, but Meloche has a good chance at being the backup, as he will battle Ottawa 2025 draftee Lucas Beckman, and undrafted William Lacelle.
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Rudolph, the fourth overall pick at the 2026 NHL Draft last month, is one of six first round picks of the 10 invitees to the showcase. Only two (Keaton Verhoeff and Cameron Reid) played for Canada last December, which gives the 18-year-old Sabre prospect a good chance to make the squad.
2025 first rounder Radim Mrtka will be starting his professional career in Rochester this fall, and is likely a shoo-in to play for Czechia for the second year in a row, but it is unknown whether the Sabres will release him to play in the tournament, as they prevented 2024 top pick Konsta Helenius from doing with Finland last year.
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