Pals, the Calgary Flames had seven players on the ice at last week’s World Junior Summer Showcase in Windsor, Ontario.

In addition to having one of the larger groups of prospects at the event, the Flames arguably had the best players at that event, with players like Ethan Wyttenbach, Cole Reschny and Theo Stockselius drawing high praise for their performances. The Summer Showcase begins the march to the 2027 World Junior Championships, held in Edmonton and Red Deer right after Christmas.

The Flames have 15 prospects that are young enough to play in the World Juniors. Here’s how their candidacy for national junior team roster spots looks following the Summer Showcase.

For Canada, both Cole Reschny and Carson Carels were both on last year’s bronze medal-winning entry. They both performed well at the Summer Showcase. They’re shoo-ins, and both could potentially wear letters and be relied-upon to lead the team.

So remember how last year, Ethan Wyttenbach was not on the United States junior team? And how they did not win a medal last year? And then Wyttenbach was the NCAA’s leading scorer and the national rookie of the year in college hockey? Yeah, considering how he did at the Summer Showcase and how impressive he’s been over the last 12 months, we don’t think they’ll make that mistake again.

After missing out on his chance at last year’s World Juniors due to a skate cut, Sweden’s Theo Stockselius was one of his nation’s best players at the Summer Showcase and played in virtually every game situation. Given the number of prominent Swedes that might not be available for the World Juniors due to NHL commitments – like Anton Frondell, Ivar Stenberg and Viggo Bjorck – Stockselius could have a big role for Sweden.

Cullen Potter‘s 2025-26 season ended due to season-ending surgery in January. He was back on the ice for Flames development camp in July but didn’t take part in the three-on-three scrimmage. He was named to USA Hockey’s Summer Showcase roster but didn’t take part. It probably helps that his new college coach at Michigan State, Adam Nightingale, is also the American World Junior coach. We wouldn’t call Potter a lock, but he probably needs to have a rough start to his season to not make the team.

Tobias Trejbal was part of Czechia’s goaltending group in Finland in late July for a short tournament before Finland headed to the Summer Showcase. Trejbal has a strong resume and really impressed in the USHL last season, so he’ll be strongly considered for their World Junior team. (Czechia takes part in more tournaments in August and November, but we’re not sure if Trejbal would be available for them because of his NCAA commitments.)

Chase Harrington played more of a secondary role for Canada during the Summer Showcase but he was pretty noticeable. We’re not sure if he’s got a strong chance because of how many forwards are in the mix, but he showed that he doesn’t need a big role to make an impact.

Jack Hextall played a bunch of the United States at the Summer Showcase. He was okay, but other potential American centres stood out more and he slid down the rotation during the tournament. We’re not gonna say that a tough week in July will kill his chances, but a good start to the season – again, Michigan State’s coach is Team USA’s coach – will help his chances.

The Flames have six under-20 players that are eligible for the World Juniors, but have their work cut out for themselves to earn a spot at the World Juniors: Joe Iginla and Aidan Lane (Canada), Simon Katolicky (Czechia), Mace’o Phillips and Bode Laylin (United States) and Jakob Leander (Sweden).

Of that six, Katolicky might have the best chance of playing his way onto his national junior team. He was a big part of Czechia’s entries at prior international events and we don’t think a tough 2025-26 year will completely tank his chances if he can bounce back.

Russia is not eligible to participate in the 2027 World Juniors, so Alan Shaikhlislamov isn’t eligible to play either.