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Friday was the eighth day of the World Junior Summer Showcase to help determine the rosters for the United States, Canada, Finland and Sweden at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship, to be held in Ottawa from Dec. 26-Jan. 5.

PLYMOUTH, Mich. — Calum Ritchie has an NHL contract and he hopes a roster spot with the Colorado Avalanche this season.

The forward, aged 19, was selected by Colorado as the No. 27 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft. He inked a three-year, entry-level contract on July 8.

“Clearly, I’ve evolved a great deal in the course of this season, enhancing my game significantly. Heading into the training camp, my aim is to give my utmost,” Ritchie stated on Friday, prior to Canada’s 8-6 victory against Finland. “It’s evident that my ultimate objective is to make it to the NHL,” he added.

Now that he’s fully healthy, he has the opportunity. He had to play the 2022-23 season with a torn labrum in his right shoulder, and the subsequent surgery put him out of commission for the initial two months of the following season. However, his recovery was strong enough to enable him to top the score charts at Oshawa of the Ontario Hockey League with 80 points, made up of 28 goals and 52 assists, in 50 regular-season games. In the OHL playoffs, he ranked second among all players, scoring 30 points (eight goals, 22 assists) in 21 games, thereby aiding Oshawa in making it to the OHL finals.

“He stated, “I believe every facet of my game has seen significant improvement. This year in Oshawa, my coaches imparted a wealth of knowledge to me, especially during our extensive playoff run. It was an invaluable experience and I gained comprehensive learning in all aspects of my game.”

The key to Ritchie’s (6-foot-2, 185 pounds) success has been having a healthy offseason to build strength.

“He said, “Since the season ended, I’ve already gained around 12 pounds. I’m feeling good and stronger. So, it’s thrilling.”

Ritchie could potentially solve the question of who will be the second-line center for the Avalanche, a position that has been open since Nazem Kadri left after Colorado’s Stanley Cup win in 2022.

“Ritchie said, “The Avalanche have high expectations of me and I’m thrilled that they finally see potential in me. I’m focused on giving my best effort and I look forward to proving myself at camp and seizing any opportunities.”

Here are three things learned Friday:

Slukynsky excited for college, special roommate

Hampton Slukynsky will be transitioning into a new room at Western Michigan University, accompanied by a former roommate.

The goalie prospect for the Los Angeles Kings, chosen during the fourth round of the 2023 NHL Draft (No. 118), will be attending Western Michigan University and sharing a dorm room with his elder brother, Grant Slukynsky.

“Having my brother there is tremendous,” Hampton said. “We are both newcomers, so navigating through everything, getting acquainted with everyone, it’s enormously helpful to immediately have someone familiar to share experiences with, such as eating out or simply spending time together.”

Last month, 19-year-old Hampton had committed to playing at Northern Michigan, where his brother Grant played the previous season. However, after Coach Grant Potulny left to coach Hartford in the American Hockey League, and his assistants also left, the brothers decided to change their plans.

“When all four coaches left, it provided us with an opportunity to consider other options,” said Hampton. “We capitalized on this and chose Western. The only feedback we received about it was positive, about everything and everyone there. After evaluating everything and observing how things functioned there, it was pretty straightforward to make the decision.”

Last season, Slukynsky was elected as the top goalie in the United States Hockey League, boasting a record of 28-3-0, a goals-against average of 1.86, a .923 save percentage, and five shutouts in 33 games with Fargo. His current ambition is to secure a spot on the 2025 WJC United States team, following his attendance at the World Junior Summer Showcase the previous year.

U.S. goalie coach David Lassonde believes that Hampton’s drive, coachability, athleticism, and quickness give him an edge. Lassonde maintains that Hampton’s mindset is particularly impressive. He also clarifies that for their team, it doesn’t matter whether they’re from Northern Michigan or Western Michigan. What’s crucial, according to him, is that they get playing time during the first half of the season so the team can evaluate their performance and fit for their overall strategy.

Tuhkala making most of national team chance

Until the Five Nations Tournament in February, Arttu Tuhkala had never participated in a game for Finland’s national team. The right-shot defenseman has since been making a strong impression during the World Junior Summer Showcase.

“Arrtu is akin to a late bloomer,” stated Finland’s coach Lauri Mikkola on Thursday. “His first experience with the national team was in February, having never participated in U-18, U-17 or U-16. Despite his late start, he’s a highly skillful player.”

Tuhkala, who stands at 6-foot and weighs 172 pounds, is set to turn 19 on August 7. He accumulated 23 points, comprising of five goals and 18 assists, in 45 games last season with Lulea’s team in the Swedish junior league. However, he was overlooked in the 2024 NHL Draft.

Not only is he aiming to secure a place for Finland at the WJC, but he also wants to demonstrate to NHL scouts what they overlooked.

“The key to the game is sometimes allowing yourself to be angry,” said Tuhkala. “Just ensure you’re the best.”

This season in Sweden, he will have more opportunities to display his skills. It is anticipated that he will be loaned from Lulea to Bjorkloven in Allsvenskan, Sweden’s second professional division, to gain more experience playing against older competitors.

“He said, it’s about growing bigger, becoming stronger, and also enhancing my defensive skills.”

Berglund no stranger to physical play

Jack Berglund, a forward from Sweden for the Philadelphia Flyers, sported a bandage on his nose after being cut late in the second period of a 7-5 victory over the United States on Friday. However, he was not worried about the injury.

“He said, “I’m not sure if it was a stick or a visor, but I’m fine with only three stitches.”

Despite his injury, Berglund maintained his regular position near the offensive zone’s front net. He managed to score from this position in the first period and provided a screen for Theo Lindstein (St. Louis Blues) to score in the second period.

“Berglund questioned, “With this size (6-3, 209), why wouldn’t I use it?” He continued, “My aim is to be everywhere on the ice, but particularly during a power play when I’m assigned that role, my job is to be in front of the net assisting my teammates in scoring. I simply try to fulfill my responsibilities, retrieve the pucks, and maintain a physical presence.”

Sweden coach Magnus Havelid was certainly impressed with Berglund, positioning him as the center on the top line with Otto Stenberg from St. Louis Blues and Lucas Pettersson from Anaheim Ducks on Friday.

“Havelid commented on his size, stating, ‘He’s a good size, but he uses it intelligently. He plays well with the puck and makes sound decisions. While he isn’t a fast-paced player, his decision-making skills set him apart. He’s a crucial player.”