While the world is dealing with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the hockey world is planning hopefully for the future. In that vein, USA Hockey announced plans on Tuesday for its’ summer camp for the 2021 World Junior Championship. A pair of Calgary Flames prospects were on its roster: Dustin Wolf and Josh Nodler.
43 players have been invited to the 2020 World Junior Summer Showcase at @USAHockeyArena. #WJSS 🇺🇸
Full details → https://t.co/J9euUpQ2vJ pic.twitter.com/WmWtrEphxe
— USA Hockey (@usahockey) June 16, 2020
Wolf, 19, isn’t a big surprise. He was named USA Hockey’s top junior-aged goaltender last season (and also was the top dog in Canadian major junior). He served as backup at last year’s tournament to Spencer Knight, who he’ll probably back up again. He was the Flames’ seventh round pick in 2019, drafted late because he’s considered short for a goaltender. (No, seriously.)
Nodler, 19, was the Flames’ fifth round pick in 2019. He just finished his freshman season with Michigan State University, where he had eight points in a two-way center role for the Spartans. While he’s no offensive dynamo (yet), his 200-foot play drew a lot of praise from scouts and coaches alike. He’s previously represented USA Hockey at the Hlinkas and the World Junior-A Challenge.
USA Hockey’s camp runs July 24 to August 1 in scenic Plymouth, Michigan. Unlike previous years, there won’t be a mini-tournament due to coronavirus-related travel restrictions.
