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Montreal Canadiens: Previewing the World Junior Summer Showcase

By Omar L |
BUFFALO, NY - JANUARY 04: Ryan Poehling #4 of United States passes the puck though the defensive pressure from Isac Lundeström #20 and Rasmus Dahlin #8 of Sweden during the first period of play in the IIHF World Junior Championships Semifinal game at KeyBank Center on January 4, 2018 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Nicholas T. LoVerde/Getty Images)
BUFFALO, NY - JANUARY 04: Ryan Poehling #4 of United States passes the puck though the defensive pressure from Isac Lundeström #20 and Rasmus Dahlin #8 of Sweden during the first period of play in the IIHF World Junior Championships Semifinal game at KeyBank Center on January 4, 2018 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Nicholas T. LoVerde/Getty Images)

The future of the Montreal Canadiens will be taking the ice for the World Junior Summer Showcase which is a direct path to the main tournament in December.

Hockey in July? Great. Hockey in July with Montreal Canadiens prospects? Even better.

The World Junior Summer Showcase (WJSS) in many ways is the first step to the widely anticipated World Junior Hockey Championships (WJHC). Some nations already have an idea of who they will invite to their camps for the tournament in December, but the WJSS is a good way to narrow down what each team has in order to put the right roster together.

Four countries are taking part in Canada, the United States, Finland, and Sweden. The first two days of the event are on somewhat on a friendly-basis followed by a round-robin format starting Thursday once Canada and the US combine the two respective teams they’re bringing.

Three Montreal Canadiens prospects will be taking part in Ryan Poehling, Cayden Primeau, and Jacob Oloffson. Jesperi Kotkaniemi and Jesse Ylonen but the excess travel wouldn’t have been ideal considering they’ll be back in North America soon to attend Habs camp. Additionally, it’s safe to assume that both are locks to make Finland for the WJHC.

Josh Brook (2017 second-round pick) was expected to be on Canada’s blueline as well, but an undisclosed injury took him out contention.

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It’ll be Poehling’s second stint at the WJSS. He had an impressive run for the US including a three-assist game against Finland. Both Primeau and Oloffson are fresh on the playing field. The former has had his name in the hockey world rise after his rookie season at Northeastern University. Performing well here and making the main team will be a good way to keep that conversation going.

Oloffson is among one of the top players the Habs selected at the 2018 NHL Draft. The 18-year-old is getting ready to make his SHL debut playing for the adult club in Timrå IK and in many ways, playing for Sweden will be the start of his year.

Here is the list of the games involving Poehling, Primeau, and Oloffosn. Team USA has the roster split in place, and Poehling is on Team Blue while Primeau is on Team White with 2019 Draft eligible goaltender Spencer Knight.

Habs Schedule at WJSS

  • Monday July 30th at 4:00 PM PDT: Poehling vs. Oloffson (USA Blue vs. Sweden)
  • Monday July 30th at 7:OO PDT: Primeau (USA White vs. Finland)
  • Tuesday July 31st at 1:00 PDT: Oloffson (Sweden vs. Finland)
  • Tuesday July 31st at  4:00 PM PDT: Poehling (USA Blue vs. Canada White)
  • Tuesday July 31st at 7:30 PM PDT: Primeau (USA White vs. Canada Red)

ROUND ROBIN

  • Thursday August 2nd 1:00 PM PDT: USA vs. Sweden
  • Friday August 3rd 1:00 PM PDT: USA vs. Finland
  • Friday August 3rd 6:00 PM PDT: Canada vs. Sweden
  • Saturday August 4th 2:00 PM PDT: Canada vs. USA
  • Saturday August 4th 5:00 PM PDT: Sweden vs. Finland

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Hopefully, all three Montreal Canadiens prospects perform well for their teams and stand out in the eyes of the coaching staff. The more representation at the World Junior Hockey Championships, the better.

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