Philly Leader

The 2024 World Junior Summer Showcase featured eight Flyers prospects, a record level of representation for the organization. All eight players had moments where they stood out.

Playing in the Summer Showcase is an initial step toward potentially representing one's national team in the IIHF Under-20 World Championship (World Junior Championships). The next four months leading up to WJC roster selection camps in December will be more telling.

Much of the Flyers' Hockey Operations brass, including president of hockey operations Keith Jones, attended the Showcase.

Here is a recap of how each Flyers prospect fared at the 2024 Showcase:

**Team Canada**

Denver Barkey: Primarily a winger over the last year for the Ontario Hockey League champion, Barkey played both center and wing during the Showcase. A top penalty-killer in the OHL, he saw time on both ends of special teams for Canada. As one of the last cuts at last December's WJC roster selection camp, Barkey has a strong chance to make this year's roster, likely in a bottom-six and penalty killing role. His most notable moment was scoring on a transition rush two seconds after a Canada penalty expired against Team USA.

Carson Bjarnason: The Flyers' 2023 second-round pick started in goal for Canada against Finland and played roughly 30 minutes, stopping eight of nine shots. He later came in midway through regulation in another game and delivered arguably the best goaltending performance by any netminder at the Showcase, stopping 27 of 28 shots. He was 4-for-6 during the shootout.

Oliver Bonk: Likely to represent Canada again after playing in last year's tournament, Bonk dressed only once at this year's Showcase as Hockey Canada focused on evaluating new candidates. Returning players like Bonk had little to prove during these games.

Jett Luchanko: The Flyers' 2024 first-round Draft pick played as Canada's fourth-line center against Finland and Team USA. He showed his speed and generated several scoring chances, finishing with one power play tap-in goal against Team USA. Although not guaranteed a spot for this year's WJC, his performance could earn him consideration depending on his upcoming OHL season.

Carter Sotheran: A bubble candidate for this year's WJC, Sotheran showcased his feisty side as part of Canada's third defensive pairing against Finland and Team USA.

**Team USA**

Noah Powell: The 19-year-old power forward appeared in four games during both split squad and combined roster portions of the schedule, collecting three assists. If he earns a spot on Team USA's WJC roster, it will likely be due to his physicality and competitive drive.

**Team Sweden**

Jack Berglund: Entering his Draft-plus-one season, Berglund made a case for a spot on Sweden's fourth line with displays of puck skill and grit despite suffering facial cuts twice during games. He also scored a goal against Team USA.

**Team Finland**

Heikki Ruohonen: A project player compared to Berglund but noticeable during pre-Showcase prep camp and throughout the event itself. Starting as Finland's third-line center before moving up to first line at times, Ruohonen displayed motor and tenacity despite taking a boarding penalty against fellow Flyers prospect Powell.