Standout performances from the 2023 World Junior Summer Showcase

The World Junior Summer Showcase wrapped up on Friday, bringing an end to a week-plus of fun, sloppy summer hockey. Now we're left to parse the noteworthy performances and try to glean some meaning from it all.

The event took place in Plymouth, Michigan with four teams playing eight games spread over four days of action. The Americans iced two split-squad clubs, USA White and USA Blue, and welcomed Team Finland and Team Sweden into the fold.

As this is a summer showcase, several players who are expected to play sizeable roles were missing from action. Namely, the projected top line for Sweden and former Djurgårdens trio Jonathan Lekkerimäki, Liam Öhgren, and Noah Östlund.

However, there remained plenty of high-level, drafted skill, and a smattering of youngsters who were out to prove they are viable options to push for a spot among the very best U20 players when the real competition kicks off in Sweden this holiday season.