2025 World Junior Summer Showcase: Koivu, Ziemer highlight top standouts from Day 2
The second day of the 2025 World Junior Summer Showcase is in the books, with Finland and Sweden taking home victories on Monday in Minnesota.
All four teams will get Tuesday off, with Canada holding an intrasquad game at 4:30 PM CT.
Aatos Koviu led the way for Finland, scoring the first, and third goals to help lead the Finns to the win. Roope Vesterinen scored in between, with Cole McKinney and Kamil Bednarik tallying markers for the Americans.
The second game was even more tense, with both teams taking the lead at various points. Alex Zetterberg opened the scoring early in the game, but Jacob Kvasnicka would tie it up midway through the opening frame. The Americans would go on to take the 2-1 lead on the power play early in the second, with Will Horcoff just getting a piece of Tanner Henricks’ point shot to make it 2-1. Sweden wouldn’t let the Americans get too far ahead, though, with Filip Ekberg scoring with 8:22 left in the first to force a tie heading into the third period. Brodie Ziemer and Liam Danielson would score for their respective teams to make it 3-3, with Liam Ohrqvist scoring with eight seconds left to win the game for Sweden.
Here’s a look at the top performers from Day 2 in Minnesota:
Finland 3, USA Blue 2
Finland
#9 Aatos Koivu, RW (Montreal Canadiens): Koivu opened the scoring on the power play, and then he scored again to make it 3-2. But it wasn’t the goals that really caught my attention. Instead, it was the fact that it was his second straight game where he looked competent at both ends of the ice. He didn’t score yesterday, but he got an assist, and I felt like his work ethic was as good as anyone had in Finland. That was the case again today in a game where I really felt like he was involved every time he hit the ice.
#3 Aron Kiviharju, D (Minnesota Wild): Kiviharju was much more impactful in this game and even nabbed a pair of assists. I’ve always liked him on the power play, but I also feel like he’s doing a better job of being defensively responsible at even strength. He’s small, which has always been an issue for him, but he makes up for it with his hockey sense and skating. Today, I thought he did a great job of forcing the Americans to shoot from farther away.
#21 Max Westergård, RW (Philadelphia Flyers): Throughout the game, Westergård consistently rushed the net and worked to create high-quality scoring chances. His best opportunity came about five minutes into the third period when he broke past two defenders and went in all alone. Although he was stopped on that play, I believe he did an excellent job of trying to make an impact every time he entered the offensive zone. He stood out as one of the few 2007-born Finnish players that I liked, and I believe he has a strong chance of making the World Junior team in a few months.
#28 Heikki Ruohonen, C (Philadelphia Flyers): That’s two great games from the Finnish forward now. His screen on the 3-2 goal proved to be a difference maker, but that’s just what he does. Ruohonen likes to plant himself near the crease, create havoc and go from there. His chemistry with Koivu this week has been really fun to watch. Ruohonen is a lock to make the main roster in December.
USA Blue
#8 AJ Spellacy, RW (Chicago Blackhawks): Spellacy was in the running to make the team a year ago and he’ll definitely get some serious consideration this year, too. He’s a hard-hitting forward who loves to do whatever it takes to win a puck battle. He had a great chance near the end of the first period, and then did a good job of getting his stick into passing lanes to break up plays.
#29 Luke Osburn, D (Buffalo Sabres): Osburn had a great first game and was one of USA’s better defenders through the first 40 minutes. Then, early in the third, he took the puck from the blueline, skated in and got the puck on net to help make it 2-2. Osburn’s skating has been a highlight of this tournament so far, as has been his decision-making, too. It was good to see him rewarded today.
#12 Aidan Park, RW (Edmonton Oilers): Park was a nice, energetic presence for the Oilers, playing alongside Cole McKinney and Will Zellers on the second line. While the other two players were spending a lot more time around the net, Park did a stout job of forcing opponents to make quicker decisions with the puck, especially when trying to clear the zone. I have liked his play for a few years now because he makes smart decisions. He likely won’t make USA’s main roster, but he had a good showing today.
Sweden USA White
Sweden
#1 Herman Liv, G (Undrafted): The undersized goaltender was crucial in keeping this game close. He made some huge saves today, including a diving glove save on Brodie Ziemer. Liv might not be a product of an NHL team, but he looks destined to challenge for Sweden’s No. 1 job in December. He has had some mixed results internationally the past few years, but maybe a good first year in the Allsvenskan will help spark some attention in North America. Without him, this game might have been 7-1 USA.
#29 Alex Zetterberg, RW (Undrafted): The undersized forward needed to make a good impression here to solidify a spot on the World Junior team. He made the most of it, scoring a goal early before nearly tallying another near at the end of the second. I loved the way he made things happen with the puck, and he showed his playmaking chops all throughout the night.
#17 Viggo Nordlund, LW (Carolina Hurricanes): Nordlund made a great play that led to Zetterberg’s 1-0 goal. He then did a good job of winning battles along the boards while also showing some good hustle at both ends of the ice. He’s more of a support player on this team, but he puts in the effort you’re looking for from someone playing deeper down the lineup.
USA White
#12 Cullen Potter, C (Calgary Flames): Potter was even better today than he was yesterday. He does such a good job of driving to the net to create chances, and it was surprising that he didn’t have at least a few goals today. His creativity and speed make him tough to contain, and he clearly had no issues going up against some of Sweden’s bigger defenders. I really like Potter’s game, and I think he’ll make the World Junior team in December.
#18 Ryker Lee, RW (Nashville Predators): Lee was great again today, showing great speed and skill with the puck. He made some brilliant plays on the attack, taking advantage of open space quite often. Lee is a skilled forward who continues to grow – and in the process, has learned how to play with his newfound strength. There’s a good chance he becomes an impact NHLer, and he’s making a case to join USA at the World Juniors in a few month’s time.
#38 Dakoda Rheaume-Mullen, D (Undrafted): Rheaume-Mullen was one of the more notable defenders who went undrafted this past year, mostly due to his smaller 5-foot-11 frame. But he was excellent against Finland, and then had an assist today – and nearly another two in the second period. I don’t remember seeing him being this offensively stout before – he’s usually better in his own zone. Rheaume-Mullen looked great in his the D-zone, making smart decisions with and without the puck. I’d say DRM has been USA’s most impressive blueliner through two games.
#25 Tanner Henricks, D (Columbus Blue Jackets): This was the best game I’ve seen from Henricks in my viewings. He helped score the 2-1 goal after his shot went off Will Horcoff and in early in the second. Outside of that, he made some excellent plays to generate chances throughout the first 40, and he did so without sacrificing his defensive integrity. The Americans have some tough decisions to make this year on the blueline but I really like how Henricks has looked so far.
#2 Brodie Ziemer, RW (Buffalo Sabres): I’m not sure how Ziemer didn’t score three goals in this one. He finally got one in the third to give USA the advantage, but he just kept getting robbed by Liv time after time. I’ll always have time to watch Ziemer – he just does so much with the puck. He isn’t a James Hagens merchant, either – he makes plays happen himself. Look for Ziemer to be a key player in the winter.
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