2 Toronto Maple Leafs Invited to Team Canada Summer Showcase
The Toronto Maple Leafs will see two of their prospects at this summer World Junior Showcase representing Canada.
Hockey Canada has announced their invitees for this summer's World Junior Showcase and two Toronto Maple Leafs were among the 42 players that accepted the invitation.
Toronto Maple Leafs 2023 first round pick Easton Cowan was among the names that will be attending, along with 2023 sixth round pick Noah Chadwick.
The showcase will occur at the end of the summer from August 26 until September 3 and will take place in Plymouth, Michigan.
The Canadiens will join the USA, Sweden and Finland where among practices the teams will have games against each other to prepare for the Christmas time World Junior tournament.
2 Toronto Maple Leafs Invited to Team Canada Summer Showcase
The only things that will keep Cowan off of the Canada roster for the tournament would be if he was playing with the Maple Leafs or had an injury. The Mount Brydges native made his national debut during last years tournament where he was the second youngest player on the Canada roster next to this past June's first overall pick Macklin Celebrini.
Cowan recorded a pair of points in the five games at the tournament, but unfortunately the team came home without a medal. When he returned to his junior club in London the feisty forward would dominate Canadian Major Junior hockey earning Ontario Hockey League MVP and help his team to an OHL Championship, which eventually led to them being runners up at the Memorial Cup.
Cowan will be joined by returning players Scott Ratzlaff, Oliver Bonk, Carson Rehkopf, Matthew Wood and Brayden Yager. Ratzlaff spent time as the third string goalie for last years team and looks to be the front runner as the starting goalie for the upcoming tournament.
Celebrini was also invited but turned down the invitation as he will be leading the San Jose Sharks through the NHL season.
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For Noah Chadwick, he has never represented his country, but after making giant strides after his draft season may being put on the Canada jersey this upcoming Christmas.
The Saskatoon, Saskatchewan native was selected with the 185th overall pick in 2023 after collecting five goals and 20 points 67 games. He returned to the WHL where he nearly tripled his output finishing with 12 goals and 56 points which earned his entry level contract and an AHL debut with the Toronto Marlies.
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The 6'4" left handed shot defenseman will return to the Lethbridge Hurricanes this upcoming fall after a likely invite to Maple Leafs training camp.