Blues defense prospect Quinton Burns has received an invite to represent Team Canada at their U20 summer camp
The St. Louis Blues defense prospect Quinton Burns has received an invite to Hockey Canada’s National Junior Team Summer Showcase roster.
Burns, 19, was drafted in the third round, 74th overall by the Blues in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. He previously represented Canada at the 2023 IIHF U18 Men’s World Championships, playing three games and capturing a bronze medal.
Quinton increased his production from 29 to 35 with the Kingston Frontenacs in the OHL. He continued to showcase his physical and aggressive play, also increasing his penalty minutes from 106 to 120.
Burns is known most for being a defensive stalwart and a shutdown defenseman. He’s not an overly big defenseman, listed at 6-foot-1 and 178 pounds, but his heavy and physical playstyle fits what St. Louis has been building up on their defense core.
If he wants to make Team Canada for the 2025 World Juniors, he will need a strong initial showing at this year’s Summer Showcase in Plymouth, Michigan.
The World Juniors Summer Showcase takes place at USA Hockey Arena from July 26 to Aug 3. Canada plays two games in the showcase, one against Finland on Aug. 2 and the other against their bitter rivals the Americans on Aug. 3.
It won’t be an easy feat to make Canada’s World Juniors roster. However, receiving an invite to Canada’s U20 summer camp shows that Hockey Canada has taken notice of Burns’ play and development over the last few years.
One silver lining for Burns is that Oliver Bonk is the only Canadian defenseman eligible to return, meaning there are five other spots on Canada’s defense core up for grabs. Never say never, but it is unlikely Burns will play for Canada at the upcoming World Juniors.
The Blues were well represented at the 2024 World Juniors and their 2023-drafted prospects Dalibor Dvorsky, Otto Stenberg, Theo Lindstein, Juraj Pekarcik, and Jakub Stancl surely all will be back representing their countries.