A summer showcase
Some interesting names abound in the 2024 Summer Showcase that the United States hosts in Plymouth, Michigan. It’s not exactly the Paris Olympics but it’s the best thing going right now in the hockey world.
Lineups for USA ⚪️ vs Finland #WJSS pic.twitter.com/0J5NsqC9HK
— USA Hockey (@usahockey) July 28, 2024
Look at that, 2024 Pittsburgh seventh round pick Mac Swanson is centering a first line that includes two first round wingers. At 5’7”, 165 the Pens’ draftee is tiny but the skill is there. His development into trying to be more Jake Guentzel than Taylor Cammarata will be interesting to monitor. If nothing else, it’s a nice audition for Swanson making this year or next year’s WJC team and is a great spot for him to be in to get more summer work surrounded by top players in his age group.
On the Finnish side, a pair of Penguin draft picks anchor the left side of the defense today. Both Emil Pieniniemi (third round pick in 2023) and Kalle Kangas (seventh round in 2023) are no strangers to high-level junior competition, having both already played for Finland in last year’s World Juniors. Both should be shoo ins for a spot on the upcoming event.
Another name to watch is LJ Mooney. A cousin of Logan Cooley, Mooney is a product of the Pittsburgh Penguins elite system and considered a first round prospect in the 2025 draft. Mooney will play with the US National Development team for a while longer, and is committed to the University of Minnesota down the road.
