The World Junior Summer Showcase is currently being played in Kamloops, British Columbia, featuring teams from Canada, Finland, Sweden, and the United States. Canada and the US field two teams each during the preliminary games, and then cut rosters down to one team each for the final games. Games began on July 30 and wrap up on Saturday, August 4.
The Kings have several prospects participating this year:
- Canada: Markus Phillips (defense, 2017 draft), Jaret Anderson-Dolan (forward, 2017 draft), Matt Villalta (goaltender, 2017 draft). Gabe Vilardi and Akil Thomas were also selected to participate; Vilardi withdraw before the tournament due to lingering back issues, and Thomas was injured in a practice and is being held out of remaining games. Neither injury is reported to be serious, and the Kings organization says that Vilardi will be ready for the Kings’ training camp next month.
- United States: Mikey Anderson (defense, 2017 draft)
- Finland: Rasmus Kupari (forward, 2018 draft)/
Mikey Anderson has made an impression in the showcase. He was named player of the game after the US’s 5-2 win over Finland on Monday. Anderson has one goal and one assist in three games.
Mikey Anderson (LAK) has been super active in this game for USA. Just delivered a big hit, but he’s forced a lot of turnovers. Not a perfect game from him as he’s has a few miscues, but playing as aggressively as I’ve seen him in the last year or so.
— Chris Peters (@chrismpeters) August 2, 2018
Rasmus Kupari has two assists in three games for Finland and has made a big impression with his speed. He’s spent time centering Finland’s top line.
Canada up 2-1 after 2. Noah Dobson (NYI) crashed the net for a rebound. One of the most fun aspects of this game is watching the elite speed of both Liam Foudy (CBJ) and Rasmus Kupari (LAK). Absolute missiles going up the ice. Difficult for defenders to stay with.
— Chris Peters (@chrismpeters) August 3, 2018
For Canada, Matt Villalta has played part of one game, stopping 12 of 13 shots. Akil Thomas, Jaret Anderson-Dolan, and Markus Phillips so far have registered no points.
ICYMI | Jaret Anderson-Dolan robbed by USA’s Kyle Keyser in the first. #WJCShowcase
Watch the play on Facebook at https://t.co/OPdWnNZ3Nn pic.twitter.com/GXioQjyFsX
— #WorldJuniors (@HC_WJC) August 1, 2018
Team USA takes on Finland this afternoon, and Canada plays Sweden later in the evening. The tournament ends on Saturday with USA/Canada and Finland/Sweden — two big rivalry games to end a week of action. If you’re in Canada, the games are on TSN. If you’re in the US, the final games are being aired on the NHL Network. If you’re elsewhere, Chris Peters is tweeting out some good content.