PLYMOUTH, Mich. – On the first day of play at the World Junior Summer Showcase, U.S. national team coach David Karl got his first up-close look at the 40-plus players who will be named to the 25-man U.S. national team for the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship in December.
For the split-squad games against Finland and Sweden, getting out of summer hockey mode and into actual game action was a top priority, and judging by the intensity of both games, that was clearly the case.
FloHockey will be on the ground at WJSS providing daily coverage with scouting reports, news, notes and other observations on the summer’s promising events.
USA standings on first day of the World Junior Summer Showcase
USA White Lineup vs Finland
Quentin Mustey (SJS) – Mac Swanson (PIT) – Cole Yzerman (NYI)
Teddy Stiga (NSH) – Carrie Terrance (ANA) – Tanner Adams
Beckett Hendrickson (BOS) – Jake Fisher (COL) – Jason Shaugavey (TBL)
Austin Barnevik (ANA) – LJ Mooney (2025) – James Reeder (LAK)
Cole Hutson (WSH) – Gavin McCarthy (BUF)
Colin Ralph (STL) – EJ Emery (NYR)
Zach Schultz (NYI) – Aram Minnetian (DAL)
Matt Mania (LAK)
Sam Hillebrandt
Carsen Musser (UTA)
USA Blue Lineup vs Sweden
Gabe Perot (NYR) – James Hagens (2025) – Ryan Leonard (WSH)
Max Plant (DET) – Oliver Moore (CHI) – William Whitelaw (CBJ)
Brandon Svoboda (SJS) – Chris Pelosi (BOS) – Noah Powell (PHI)
Joey Willis (NSH) – Brody Zimmer (BUF) – AJ Spellacy (CHI)
Zeev Bouyum (Minnesota) – Tori Pitner (Columbia)
Paul Fisher (STL) – Adam Clever (BUF)
Andrew Strassman (CBJ) – Lucas Fisher (STL)
John Whipple (DET)
Trey Augustine (DET)
Hampton Slakinski (LAK)
Game 1: USA White 3, Finland 2
Summary: As opening matches often are, USA White vs Finland was a bit sloppy as both teams began to get into a rhythm. Finland took the lead twice on goals from Joona Saarelainen (TBL), but each time the USA team fought back. The first goal came when Quentin Musty (SJS) found space under goalkeeper Visa Vedenpaa (SEA) and scored the rebound himself. Cole Hutson (WSH) scored in the second period with a bad-angle shot that hit the far post and went into the goal. In the final minute of the game, Hutson made a slick attacking play by evading two Finnish forwards on the offensive blue line, slipping the puck onto the stick of James Reeder, who smashed a one-timer shot inside the left post to give USA White the win.
America White vs. Finland Scouting Report
Cole Hutson, D (WSH)
Hutson finished the game with a goal and an assist. There were ups and downs to his game, including a couple of turnovers and a penalty on the power play. But the offensive element he brings to the ice and the way he creates a threat with his skill set could be the deciding factor in landing him on the U.S. national team later this year. There is a lot to be excited about in the direction of his game.
Quentin Mustey, LW (SJS)
After being left out of last year’s squad, Masti has been given a good chance to shine here at Plymouth, scoring a goal in the game and showing a number of other positive plays. I think he has improved a bit on his pace, which was an issue last year, but this remains a negative factor for the game of a talented goalscorer. His touch with the puck is good and I think if this wasn’t the first game of the summer he would have been a bit more polished and finished more plays.
Mooney, L. J., C. (2025).
As a late invitee to camp, Mooney is unlikely to make the USA roster, but the 5-foot-6 dynamo proved why he deserves to be part of this group. He has advanced skills and an unstoppable motor. He made some slick plays and was on the ice for the goal that sealed the win for USA White. He’ll no doubt be looking to make the most of his opportunities in camp.
Carsen Musser, G (UTA)
Musser stopped all 12 shots he faced in the second half of the game, including several Grade A scoring chances. The big goaltender spent an extra year in the USHL and had a strong season in Madison. He’s heading to Colorado College this season and may not get playing time behind incumbent starter Kaiden Mbeleko, but this camp is a great opportunity for him to prove himself and if he gets enough playing time he should get more playing time. He played strong in his first game of camp.
Jonah Saarelainen, LW (planned)
Saarelainen, who scored two goals in the game, was rated as one of Finland’s best players throughout the afternoon. Saarelainen is not a big guy, but he is agile and has enough agility and skill to make plays. His entire line, along with Tom Leppa and Heikki Ruohonen, played solid games. They caused problems for the U.S., and Saarelainen was the one to capitalize on the opportunities they created.
Heikki Ruohonen, RW (PHI)
Ruohonen, a solid forechecker and energetic player, played a big role in forcing turnovers and creating plays out of them. He recorded two assists and showed both smarts and effort in getting passes to Saarelainen. That line was the most threatening for Finland throughout.
Visa Wedenper, G (SEA)
Despite the result, I thought Ben Demper held up very well in the game. He got a lot of work done and made some very difficult saves, including blocking a shot from Cole Yzerman in a 2-on-1 situation. He stopped 25 of the 28 shots he faced in the game.
Game 2 – USA Blue 7, Sweden 2
Summary: USA Blue has a lot of players returning from last year’s World Juniors, and it was noticeable. They dominated a slightly undermanned Sweden team (see below for why) and got off to an early start. Max Plante (DET) scored on a beautiful passing play for USA Blue to make it 1-0 just 4:15 into the game. Brandon Svoboda (SJS) added another point off a rebound after Zeev Buium (MIN) made a creative play to get the puck to the net. With 3:55 left in the first frame, Brody Ziemer (BUF) came out of the corner and smashed a backhand shot past Olof Grifford to make it 3-0. Gabe Perreault (NYR) scored two great goals in the second period, the first on a power play and the second on a great give-and-go with Ryan Leonard (WSH). Trey Augustin (DET), who played goalie for the first two periods, stopped all 10 shots he faced, with goals by Lukas Fischer (STL) and Oliver Moore. Sweden got two goals on a late power play from Hampton Sluchinski (LAK), who replaced Augustin in the third period.
USA Blue Scouting Report
Zeev Buium, D (MIN)
Bouyum was especially active in the game, was creative offensively, played physically and defended well. He recorded two assists in the game and played a lot with his feet. Bouyum put several players in spin cycles with his quick direction changes. His place in next year’s team is certain, but he played well nonetheless. He was also a bit frustrated with the Swedish players and was more involved in the after-whistle extras that were common during the game.
Gabe Perot, LW (NYR)
Perreault’s intelligence hasn’t slowed down at all. Nobody thought it would. He made a lot of plays with the right stick and putting the puck in the right spot. He scored two goals in the second period, but the secret to his effectiveness is the quickness of his decisions with the puck. He always seems one step ahead, even in July. Coach David Karl said he’s stronger this year, and it was evident when he won a battle for the puck.
Ryan Leonard, RW (WSH)
Even if he played this game in a parking lot with shoes on, Leonard would still find a way to provoke his opponents. He was physically aggressive as always, drawing a lot of attention from opponents and drawing some penalties as a result. He also had an assist, but was frustrated by his lack of goals. Leonard said after the game that being part of this team was “nearly 75%” of the reason he didn’t sign with Washington. He looks forward to putting on a USA jersey again at the World Juniors.
Paul Fisher, D (STL)
Fischer is not a flashy player, but he makes a lot of effective plays, and we saw that in this game. He ended up with two assists and his touch with the puck has improved. Fischer moves well, puts the ball forward and handles the puck well. He made a lot of quality plays and I think that had a positive impact on the team.
Max Plant, LW (DET)
Plant has been playing very well for this team, playing on the first power play unit for USA Blue with Hagens, Leonard, Perreault and Bouheim. He is a very smart player, makes good decisions with the puck and is creative. He is also a hard worker and has shown speed in many situations. I think his maturity has made a good impression.
Noah Powell, RW (PHI)
Powell was a decent scorer for Dubuque this season, but he also played lower down the order, took penalty kicks and drew plenty of attention from the Swedish players with his exciting play. Powell blocked shots, played physical and never gave up the puck. He adjusted to a very different role than he played last year and showed that if the U.S. asks him to do that, he’s willing and able to do it, which is a good impression to give the staff for a team that has a very hard time filling rosters in the winter.
James Hagens 2025 NHL Draft Report
As a top draft-eligible prospect playing for Team USA at the World Junior Summer Showcase, FloHockey will take a look at how Hagens performed in the first evaluation event of his draft year.
Hagens centered the top line for USA Blue against Sweden, playing alongside future Boston College teammates (and almost certainly linemates) Gabe Perreault and Ryan Leonard. Playing in place of Will Smith, who signed with the San Jose Sharks in the spring, Hagens is playing a very similar role to Smith, and it shows. He was able to distribute the puck, but his chemistry with Leonard and Perreault, who he’s played with for the past three years, still shows room for improvement.
Hagens made a lot of plays, carrying the puck inside and creating space for his linemates. Perreault was the more of a driver during the game, but Hagens got good touches and created chances for himself. I also liked how Hagens competed in a physical game that got rough at times. He added a little bit of yell to the game, but it will never be a prominent feature. I expect him to play center behind Perreault and Leonard at the World Juniors unless San Jose wants to use Smith.
Speaking with Ryan Leonard after the game, he noticed all the similarities between Hagens and Smith, especially the way they play and how smart they both are. He’s confident the three will find chemistry and is excited about the new lines for both BC and USA.
News and notes from camp
USA Blue’s first power play unit in Game 2 was Ryan Leonard (WSH), Gabe Perreault (NYR), James Hagens (2025), Zeev Bouium (MIN), and Max Plante (DET). They scored one goal on the power play, but it looked like they could be a really dangerous group. Plante did a good job in the bumper position with the team’s big stars, and Perreault and Leonard continued to play off each other well. USA Blue’s William Whitelaw (CBJ) received a major and game misconduct for sloshing in the third period, which the team won 7-2. Sweden had a few players who didn’t get their gear in before the first game. They had enough players to field a full roster, but two of Sweden’s three goalies were still waiting for pads, so US U18 goalie Joey Slavik served as Sweden’s backup.
Roster Updates
The U.S. will have Drew Fortescue (NYR) and Danny Nelson (NYI) back in camp, but neither will play this week for “maintenance” purposes. Both players are expected to be named to the U.S. national team in Ottawa. Sweden’s Tom Wilander was originally listed on the national team for the event, but will not participate due to injury.
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