World Junior showcase kicks off in Kamloops today

KAMLOOPS – The World Junior Summer Showcase tournament gets underway in Kamloops today, with the U.S. and Sweden kicking things off.

Two top-10 picks in this year's NHL draft are among the 40 players invited by Hockey Canada to play in the tournament this week.

The camp is being held at the Sandman Centre in Kamloops until Aug. 4, which will feature Canada's games against the United States, Sweden and Finland, and it's the first opportunity for players to compete for spots on the national junior team for next year's World Junior Championship in Vancouver and Victoria from Dec. 26, 2018 to Jan. 5, 2019.

Barrett Hayton was selected as the No. 5 pick in the draft by the Arizona Coyotes, and he's one of four Coyotes prospects invite to the camp. Evan Bouchard was picked 10th overall by the Edmonton Oilers.

Team Canada will be coached by Tim Hunter, who is the head coach of the Moose Jaw Warriors in the WHL.

The tournament begins today, July 30, with the U.S. facing off against Sweden at 4 p.m. at the Sandman Centre.

For the full roster and game schedule for the tournament, go here.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Ashley Legassic or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.