2026 World Junior Summer Showcase: Stockselius, Lawrence highlight top standouts from Day 3
WINDSOR, Ont. – Game action returned to the WFCU Centre in Windsor on Wednesday – and we even got to see Canada for the first time this week.
Finland started the afternoon with a 3-2 victory. Vilho Vanhatalo opened the fun at 5:13, but Ethan Wyttenbach would answer back before the end of the first. Finland broke away in the second thanks to goals from Illari Kapanen and Eetu Orpana, effectively negating Sammy Nelson’s shorthanded marker to give the boys in blue and white the victory.
Canada, meanwhile, led three separate times against Sweden, but managed to lose 5-3. The two teams traded goals, with Jimmy Lombardi tallying the opener at 2:17 before Milton Gastrin answered back with three seconds left in the first. Tynan Lawrence then scored on his first shift of the second period, but Filip Ekberg answered back with a bit of a fluky one from behind the goal line at 26:20 to make it 2-2.
The game stayed at a deadlock until 43:47, when former Windsor Spitfires star Ethan Belchetz was able to beat Isak Sorqvist to make it 3-2. That wouldn’t last for long, though, as Elton Hermansson would score to make it 3-3 on the power play shortly after the halfway point in the third. Canada couldn’t find the back of the net the rest of the way, with Calgary Flames prospect Theo Stockselius scoring a pair of goals to put the game to rest.
Here’s a look from Wednesday’s two-game slate in Windsor:
Finland 3, USA 2
Finland
#31 Patrik Kerkola, G: Kerkola probably wished he had that second American goal back. But this was one of the better goalie performances of the tournament thanks to his quick legs, great puck-tracking and solid positioning. Kerkola went undrafted for a second straight year, but I feel like a good main WJC tourney could really help his stock. He has a big frame (but might be a bit heavy for some scouts) and doesn’t give up on a battle. His numbers weren’t particularly impressive last year, but fundamentally, he’s a solid goaltender who gives opponents little to shoot at.
#6 Max Laatikainen, D (Philadelphia Flyers): Laatikainen flew heavily under the radar last year, but I liked him at the U-18s. I could see him playing a top-four role in December, sort of like he has done all week long in Windsor. I like how he continuously broke up plays and used his speed to win battles. There were a few times where it felt like he got blown by a bit too easily, but he made up for it with good stick work.
#11 Rasmus Kämäräinen, LW: It’s been a great tournament for Kämäräinen, who seems to always be chasing after pucks and looking for rebounds. The 19-year-old doesn’t do much play-driving himself, but he typically finds himself in quality scoring lanes in tight and isn’t afraid to battle stronger opponents. It was a well-rounded effort today yet again, and I have no doubt he’ll make Finland’s final roster.
#18 Ilari Mäkinen, RW (2027 NHL Draft): Mäkinen grew on me during the U-18s, and I think he really impressed today. He has never been much of a point-producer, but he’s angsty, annoying and a human bowling ball out there. Mäkinen wants to make himself known every time he hits the ice and it felt like he was a handful for the American defenders to handle, even in a fourth-line role.
#24 Jere Somervuori, RW: What really stood out about Somervuori’s game today – and all tournament, really – is how much harder he seems to work than anyone else. He’s not overly big, but he uses his speed and dog-on-a-bone determination to drive the net and create plays. I loved him at the U-18s two years ago and I think he has been one of Finland’s more engaged players this week.
USA
#34 Carter Amico, D (Philadelphia Flyers): Amico has shown some high-end skill over the past week. He has just one goal over the past three years, but had a few good looks from the point today and helped create the 1-1 goal. The 6-foot-5 shutdown defender is a mean, mean dude, giving opponents little to work with. He has great reach, battles hard and is quite solid at getting the puck out of danger. This felt like one of his more complete games.
#7 Mikey Berchild, LW (Carolina Hurricanes): Another excellent showing from Berchild. The skilled winger plays with a ton of energy and confidence, and it shows with how well he moves the puck. He might be small, but he’s competitive and continues to get stronger. Berchild scored on the power play today, but the goal was taken back because the play was offside. It’s too bad, because I wanted to see him get rewarded for an excellent showing. I hope they keep Berchild with Wyatt Cullen and Ethan Wyttenbach for the main event.
#12 Ethan Wyttenbach, RW (Calgary Flames): Wyttenbach has been the best player in this tournament, period. The skilled winger was stoned on an early breakaway, but made up for it with a goal a few minutes later. He’s dangerous around the crease, doing whatever it takes to get pucks on net. Wyttenbach is skilled, smart, speedy and dangerous with the puck, and he’s great at picking up rebounds.
#37 Mason West, RW (Chicago Blackhawks): This was West’s best game. He played with a ton of power and speed, while showing a willingness to hit anyone who got near him. West can be a bit of a passenger at times, but it felt like he was the one trying to make things happen the most on USA’s second line. West is still a work in progress, but his mixture of size, mobility and raw skill makes him fascinating. He’s not a lock to make USA’s roster, but I think he’ll force his way onto it. For reference, his first game last season came just days before USA kicked off training camp for the World Juniors.
Canada 3, Sweden 5
Canada
#14 Ethan Czata, LW (Tampa Bay Lightning): The best phrase to describe Czata’s game today? Annoying – in a good way. Czata had to find a way to establish himself this week because he’s definitely one of those bubble players. And today, the Swedes seemed absolutely pissed off every time he hit the ice. He got in their face every single time he hit the ice, and while he didn’t do much offensively, he was excellent at retrieving pucks and taking space away. As a role guy, that’s all you really need to do.
#15 Caleb Malhotra, C (Vancouver Canucks): Malhotra did so many great things away from the puck today. That’s his thing – being impactful just about everywhere. He didn’t score, but he created quality chances on the rush alongside Brady Martin and Philippe Veilleux. Malhotra also defended well and had a few takeaways. Malhotra’s ability to get involved no matter the situation is what made him the best center available in 2026.
#25 Ethan Belchetz, LW (Utah Mammoth): For a guy who hadn’t played since Feb. 28, Belchetz didn’t look out of place. It was like he had something to prove, playing with a high level of pace and physicality. The 6-foot-5 forward is so hard to contain, and he works great alongside a more skilled forward – such as Cameron Schmidt.
#42 Tynan Lawrence, RW (St. Louis Blues): Scouts wanted more out of Lawrence last year, and I imagine they were impressed today. He had a goal and an assist to give Canada some serious life, playing with as much confidence as anyone we saw on the ice tonight. I like his odds as a support forward in December, but it was interesting to see him play on the wing after being a center all of last season. Regardless, I loved his game.
Sweden
#19 William Håkansson, D (Carolina Hurricanes): Håkansson is one of the most boring players I’ve ever seen play hockey, and I mean that in the best way possible. The 6-foot-4 blueliner plays with absolutely no flash or finish, but he’ll beat you to the puck in the D zone and take away any space you thought you possibly had. Håkansson is a shutdown defender who does a tremendous job of getting in the way – more so than anyone we’ve seen at this tournament. His game is best when he’s not trying to do much with the puck, and I thought he was exceptionally effective today.
#18 Theo Stockselius, C (Calgary Flames): While I thought Stockselius was better on the opening day of the tourney, the Flames prospect had his hands in plenty of positive moments for the Swedes. He was one of the team’s better players in front of the net, causing headaches for the Canadian defenders. He took a penalty in the third period that could have easily sunk his team. Instead, Stockselius broke out of the box, took the puck the other way and beat Samuel Meloche with a top-corner wrister. He then scored again with an empty-netter with just under two minutes to go to put the game to bed. Stockselius won’t blow you away with raw talent, but his work ethic and smart decision-making allow him to win most of his battles consistently.
#22 Loke Krantz, RW (Seattle Kraken): I knew Krantz meant business the second I saw him staring down the Canadian bench during warm-ups. The strong, 6-foot-2 winger is all about getting in the way and being annoying as heck, and he lived up to that billing today. Krantz doesn’t let anyone push him around, and he has a powerful release, too. If he makes Sweden, I don’t expect him to play more than a depth role. But no matter who he plays with, he’ll open up lanes for them.
#27 Melvin Novotny, RW (Buffalo Sabres): Novotny was on Sweden’s fourth line today, but he was one of Sweden’s most noticeable forwards. He plays with a lot of skill and isn’t afraid to blast through the middle of the ice to make a play. He’s so smart, which he often showcases with his quick, effective passes under pressure. I could see him having an explosive NCAA rookie campaign after putting up great numbers: the skill was always there, but the execution needed work. He didn’t score today, but it feels like he’s been buzzing all week long.