Reviewing 2024 Red Wings fifth round pick John Whipple's performance from the World Junior Summer Showcase in Plymouth
The path from the fifth round of the draft to the NHL is far from a certain one, but 2024 Red Wings fifth round selection John Whipple—last of the United States National Team Development Program, next of the University of Minnesota—appears a possible candidate for the arduous journey.
At the 2024 World Junior Summer Showcase last week, Whipple's defining attribute as a young defenseman: an eagerness to defend—boxing out at the net-front, blocking shots, angling an onrushing forward harmlessly into the boards.
“Willingness to defend, does it with a smile on his face actually, and I think really enjoys it,” Team USA coach David Carle said, when asked what stands out about Whipple. “I thought in the first game he found the middle of the rink a couple of times, had some really nice clean breakouts, but you see his closing, feet, how sturdy he is, he can separate people, and there’s a lot to like in his game.”
As an 18-year-old, Whipple is a long shot to crack the USA roster for December's WJC, it being an under 20 tournament. However, he will be a major asset to the Gophers' blue line this season, and, as Connor Earegood and I discussed on the most recent episode of The Silky Mitten State, Whipple's profile as a defense-first defenseman may well earn him a spot on a USA roster laden with small and speedy puck-movers.
Check out a sample of that conversation via the video above, then listen to the full episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts: