Montreal Canadiens 2018 first-round pick Jesperi Kotkaniemi is among the organization’s prospects to no longer be going to the World Junior Summer Showcase.
The World Junior Summer Showcase is set to take place this weekend in Kamloops. Similar to last year, the Montreal Canadiens were going to have some their prospects taking part giving fans more incentive to watch.
Ryan Poehling is making his second appearance for Team USA while Cayden Primeau is debuting at the tournament. The 2017 first-round pick had a decent performance last summer including a three-assist game against Team Finland. Primeau put his name on the map for American goaltenders after the rookie season he had at Northeastern University.
Additionally, Jacob Oloffson will be taking part for Team Sweden. The Habs managed to select him in the second round of the 2018 NHL Draft, and he’s been one of the standouts among the class so far. Olofsson has made it clear what his goals are for the future in making the NHL. He got that train started with some positive signs at development camp and will look to continue it for Sweden.
On the darker side of things, there were Montreal Canadiens prospects who were thought to be going to the Showcase, and who aren’t anymore. Joni Ikonen would’ve definitely been an option for Finland again after his play last summer but is out recovering from surgery on his right knee.
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Josh Brook has also been taken off a roster due to injury as he was thought to be on Team Canada’s roster. It isn’t known what the ailment is, but he will be replaced with Los Angeles Kings prospect Markus Phillips.
The latest omissions fall to Finland again as both Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Jesse Ylonen were not named to the team. It may be a little disappointing, but it’s not surprising either. The point of the showcase is for those deciding on the rosters for the real tournament in December to have an opportunity to weed out possible additions.
Kotkaniemi and Ylonen are already locks to make the team for Finland. Additionally, it’s a positive for the third overall pick to get some rest. He’s been at development camp and has played U-20 games for Finland as it is.
Although it comes down to Poehling, Primeau, and Oloffson, there will still be some good hockey to watch for the future of the Montreal Canadiens.
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