Next Step for Flyers Prospects Trying to Play in World Juniors

Philadelphia Flyers prospects Cutter Gauthier, Cole Knuble and Devin Kaplan competed for Team USA in the recent World Junior Summer Showcase.

Gauthier and Knuble played extremely well. Kaplan wasn’t far behind.

The Summer Showcase was essentially an audition for roster spots for the World Junior Championships at the end of the year.

Team USA general manager John Vanbiesbrouck and his staff, including head coach David Carle, will continue the player evaluation process through the fall and invite players to the final selection camp in December.

Vanbiesbrouck is a former Flyers goalie. He spent two of his 20 NHL seasons in Philadelphia. Carle is the head coach at the University of Denver, the 2022 NCAA champions.

Gauthier should be a lock for the squad. He has played on three national teams since 2021 and has been one of the team’s best players. Knuble opened some eyes at the Summer Showcase. Kaplan has international experience. He played in the U-18 championships in 2021-22.

Ten nations will compete in the World Juniors, which will be held Dec. 26-Jan. 5 in Gothenburg, Sweden. The games will be televised on NHL Network.

Russia and Belarus are not scheduled to compete, as they are not integrated into the 2024 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Program.

No Russia means no Matvei Michkov.

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