Ten players with WHL experience, incoming skaters to represent United States at 2026 World Junior Summer Showcase
The march to the 2027 IIHF World Junior Championship is on.
USA Hockey has invited 10 WHL-developed players and incoming skaters to take part in the 2026 World Junior Summer Showcase, which runs from July 26-August 1 at the WFCU Centre in Windsor, Ont.
The group includes six NHL prospects, highlighted by reigning WHL Rookie of the Year JP Hurlbert (Kamloops Blazers), who was selected by the Detroit Red Wings with the 23rd overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. Hurlbert is joined by Jacob Kvasnicka (Penticton Vees / New York Islanders), Carter Sanderson (Calgary Hitmen / Pittsburgh Penguins), Logan Stuart (Lethbridge Hurricanes / Washington Capitals), Blake Fiddler (Edmonton Oil Kings / Seattle Kraken) and Timofei Runtso (Victoria Royals / Montreal Canadiens).
Sanderson and Stuart have recently signed WHL Scholarship and Development Agreements and are preparing to embark upon their rookie seasons in the WHL.
2025 WHL Champion and 2027 NHL Draft-eligible forward Shaeffer Gordon-Carroll (Medicine Hat Tigers) is the lone Utahn to earn the invitation.
USA Hockey plans to split its 47 invitees into two teams (Team Blue and Team White) for the beginning of the World Junior Summer Showcase before trimming the group to a consolidated roster for the final three games.
The Summer Showcase will feature teams from Canada, Finland and Sweden.
The 2027 IIHF World Junior Championship will be held in Edmonton and Red Deer and kicks off on December 26, 2026.
| Last Name | First Name | Team | Hometown | Ht | Wt | Pos |
| Gordon-Carroll | Shaeffer | Medicine Hat Tigers | Salt Lake City, Utah | 6’0 | 189 | F |
| Hurlbert | JP | Kamloops Blazers | Allen, Texas | 6’0 | 182 | F |
| Kvasnicka | Jacob | Penticton Vees | Burnsville, Minn. | 5’11 | 170 | F |
| Sanderson | Carter | Calgary Hitmen | Pierre, S.D. | 6’2 | 196 | F |
| Stuart | Logan | Lethbridge Hurricanes | Manhattan Beach, Calif. | 5’11 | 173 | F |
| Fiddler | Blake | Edmonton Oil Kings | Frisco, Texas | 6’5 | 210 | D |
| Runtso | Timofei | Victoria Royals | Marina Del Ray, Calif. | 6’2 | 185 | D |
| Vauhkonen | Odin | Victoria Royals | Costa Mesa, Calif. | 6’1 | 189 | D |
| Boettiger | Harrison | Kelowna Rockets | Wheat Ridge, Col. | 6’2 | 181 | G |
| Wendt | Xavier | Tri-City | Plymouth, Minn. | 6’1 | 179 | G |
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