Calgary Flames prospect Axel Hurtig named to Sweden’s roster for World Junior Summer Showcase

As we await next week’s 2024 NHL Draft in Las Vegas, there’s news out of Europe that the Calgary Flames will have at least one representative at next month’s World Junior Summer Showcase event in Plymouth, Michigan, hosted by USA Hockey.

Sweden has named blueliner Axel Hurtig as part of their entry to the event.

A product of Högås, Sweden, Hurtig was the Flames’ seventh-round selection in the 2023 NHL Draft. Listed at 6’4″ and 205 pounds, Hurtig improved during his draft year and even made Sweden’s under-18 national team and competed at the Under-18 World Championship. Sweden captured silver, but Hurtig suffered a shoulder injury that required surgery during the off-season.

As a result, Hurtig’s 2023-24 season was a bit truncated, but he still performed well, splitting the campaign between Rögle BK’s entries in the SHL and J20 Nationell, as well as playing a few games in the third-tier pro HockeyEttan on loan. Selected by the Calgary Hitmen in last year’s CHL Import Draft, he’s signed a WHL deal and will play the upcoming season in North America with the Hitmen.

And at the very least his experience in North American hockey will begin a little earlier, as he’ll suit up for Sweden. The World Junior Summer Showcase involves teams from Canada, the United States, Finland and Sweden, and is one of several precursor events during the season that are intended to help build up to the World Junior Championships over the winter holidays. Hurtig’s inclusion is a strong indication that he’s on the national junior team radar for Sweden.

The World Junior Summer Showcase takes place July 24-Aug. 5 in Plymouth, Michigan.