World Junior Summer Showcase roster includes hockey players from Kitchener and Brantford

Kitchener Rangers defenceman Cameron Reid and Brantford Bulldogs players Owen Protz, Jake O’Brien and Marek Vanacker are seen in this undated collage (Courtesy: OHL).

The long-awaited World Junior Summer Showcase is underway in Minneapolis, Minn., and several Ontario Hockey League (OHL) players from Kitchener and Brantford are among those taking part.

The annual event serves as an evaluation camp for players aiming to earn a spot on their national team for the 2026 International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) World Junior Hockey Championship, set to begin in December.

Players from Canada, the United States, Sweden and Finland have been invited to represent their respective countries.

This year, Hockey Canada selected 44 players from across the country to participate. Among them are Kitchener Rangers defenceman Cameron Reid and Brantford Bulldogs players Owen Protz, Jake O’Brien and Marek Vanacker.

Throughout the week, athletes will take part in practices, scrimmages and three exhibition games against international opponents.

Participants are split into two teams—Red and White—for internal matchups, including an intrasquad game scheduled for July 29. Canada is then set to face Finland on July 30, Sweden on Aug. 1 and the United States on Aug. 2.

The IIHF uses a three-point system during competition: three points are awarded to the team that wins in regulation, one point each if the game is tied after regulation and an additional point to the winner of a five-minute overtime or shootout.

Guelph Storm forward Jett Luchanko was also invited by Hockey Canada but was unable to attend the showcase.

The World Junior Summer Showcase wraps up on Aug. 2. The 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship will run from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5 in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minn.