The Philadelphia Flyers prospect pool is well represented at this year’s World Junior Summer Showcase that runs through the 27th of July to the 2nd of August.
The Flyers have 7 prospects in total representing 4 different countries with Porter Martone and Spencer Gill taking part for Team Canada, a pair of second round picks in Shane Vansaghi and Jack Murtagh participating with the United States, Jack Berglund representing Sweden, and Heikki Ruohonen and Max Westergård suiting up for Finland.
Jett Luchanko, who the Flyers drafted in the first round in 2024, was invited by Hockey Canada but was unable to participate due to an injury. He still carries a lot of interest and intrigue heading into the season and could find himself on Team Canada alongside this year’s 6th overall pick in Martone at the World Junior Championship.
Canada has struggled mightily over the last 2 tournaments with back-to-back Quarterfinal exits at the hands of the Czechs. Last year’s roster make-up was heavily criticized as the Canadians left a lot of offensive talent at home and tried going with a more balanced, two-way team.
This year should be different with top prospects like Martone, Gavin McKenna, Michael Misa, Brady Martin, Roger McQueen, Zayne Parekh, and Matthew Schaefer headlining the Summer Showcase roster – and are all expected to play major roles at this year’s tournament.
Defenseman Spencer Gill had been enjoying a breakout campaign this past year before sustaining a season-ending injury. He had recorded 35 points in 51 games for the Rimouski Océanic out of the QMJHL but was unable to finish out the season or participate in the Memorial Cup.
His inclusion on the roster is great news in regard to his chances of representing Canada but also for his overall health heading into an important development year. He will have to contend with the likes of Schaefer, Parekh, Kashawn Aitcheson, and Sam Dickinson. However, standing in at 6’4”, Gill gives the Canadians size and a right-hand shot to pair up with their compliment of top back-end options.
As for the Americans, they’re looking for a rare three-peat after having been victorious in the last two renditions of the World Juniors. Vansaghi and Murtagh both stand good chances at making the team this year after the Flyers drafted them 8 picks apart in the second round.
The Americans are expected to be bringing a star-studded lineup as the host country this year that also includes James Hagens, Teddy Stiga, Cole Eiserman, Cullen Potter, and Will Horcoff amongst the forward group.
Expect Murtagh and Vansaghi to play major roles this year for their respective collegiate clubs as they eye a spot on the loaded American roster. Their efforts in the first game of the showcase should give them a leg up with the former nabbing an assist and the latter scoring a goal against Finland.
Speaking of the Finns, the Flyers should be excited about Ruohonen’s chances as he played a key role on the power play, penalty kill, and centered the top line in their contest against the Americans. He played a really strong game and was rewarded with an assist after a great individual play that almost led to the goal.
Ruohonen was selected in the fourth round by the Flyers in 2024 and spent the previous season with the Dubuque Fighting Saints in the USHL, where he potted 16 goals and 39 points in 49 games. The Helsinki native is expected to play a major role for Harvard University this upcoming season in the NCAA.
Also representing Finland is Flyers 5th round pick from this year’s draft in Westergård. after a fantastic campaign with Frolunda HC J20 of J20 Nationell, where he notched 50 points in 41 games, he’s expected to further develop his game in the U20 Nationell this year as well as a pit stop in the SHL at some point in the season.
Rounding out the group is Swedish forward Jack Berglund. The 6’2”, 210-pound centre enjoyed a solid 2024-25 season that saw him score 22 points in 15 games for Farjestad BK J20 in the J20 Nationell, before 3 goals in 17 games for Farjestad BK in the SHL, as well as an additional 4 appearances for BIK Karlskoga in the HockeyAllsvenskan.
He is in line for a major role for the Swedes this year and was seen centering the top line with Lucas Pettersson and Wilson Bjorck in their first game against the United States and should continue to impress, especially if he has the opportunity to wear the C for his nation this year.
The summer showcase is the perfect backdrop for what’s to come in December when the World Junior Championship kicks off on Boxing Day. With practices, intra-squad games, as well as matches involving all four nations, it’s going to give us a good look into the Flyers prospects and their chances of making their respective teams this year.
So far, so good, with Vansaghi, Murtagh, Berglund, and Ruohonen all finding their names on the scoresheet and playing key minutes for their teams. Of course with players like Martone, his inclusion is but a foregone conclusion, however it’s good to see the Flyers so well represented during their rebuild.
