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The first day of the 2025 World Junior Summer Showcase in Minneapolis saw the USA White and USA Blue squads split their two games. Flyers prospects participated in both games and were among the standout performers.
Flyers draftee Vansaghi scores game-winner
In the early game, USA White defeated Team Finland, 5-2. Flyers wing prospect Shane Vansaghi scored the game-winning goal (1st). With the score tied at 2-2 in the third period, Vansaghi knocked a bouncing rebound past goalie Patrik Kerkola to put the American squad ahead at the 2:01 mark. USA White scored two insurance goals to skate off with the win. Flyers 2025 draftee Jack Murtagh set up Nashville Predators prospect Ryker Lee’s second goal of the game for a 4-2 edge at 3:38 of the final frame.
Previously in the same match, Flyers center prospect Heikki Ruohonen had a nice primary assist on a Roope Vesterninen tally that tied the score at 1-1 midway through the first period. The goal came one shift after a James Hagens goal game USA White a 1-0 lead. Ruohonen centered the Finns’ top line.
Meanwhile, Flyers wing prospect Max Westergard also suited up in this match. He did not figure in the scoresheet. Westgard played left wing on the Finns’ third line.
Berglund swings momentum for Sweden
The late match on Day 1 saw Team Sweden’s Junior Crowns hopefuls defeat USA Blue by a 5-2 score. Ivar Stenberg (2026 Draft eligible) compiled a hat trick to lead the Swedes to victory. Meanwhile, Flyers 2024 second-round pick Jack Berglund centered Sweden’s top line. He was flanked by Licas Pettersson and Wilson Bjorck. USA Blue led, 2-1 in the third period until Berglund scored to knot the score.
On Berglund’s goal, the big pivot cut into the top of the right circle. Using a defender as a screen, he wristed a shot past goaltender Kam Hendrickson low to the glove (far) side.
The Swedes used their penalty kill as a springboard to success. They rallied to kill several penalties only for Victor Johansson to commit a kneeing infraction. Team Sweden killed that one off, too. Consequently, the momentum swung in the Swedes’ favor. Berglund tied the game at 2-2. Stenberg put Sweden ahead, 3-2, a few shifts later and they pulled away late in the game after Stenberg completed his hat trick.
Day Two of the 2025 World Junior Summer Showcase will see Sunday’s matchups reverse. USA White takes on Sweden. Meanwhile, USA Blue will play Finland.
Flyers Daily: Mondays with Meltzer (July 28, 2025)
Jason Myretetus and I dissect a potpourri of topics in this week’s Mondays with Meltzer edition of Flyers Daily. Subjects include:
- 2025 World Junior Summer Showcase and the seven participating Flyers prospects.
- Where does Emil Andrae fit on the blueline? The Flyers have said they want to get bigger on the blueline. With Cam York and Jamie Drysdale as givens to start of defense, will Rick Tocchet also play the undersized Andrae?
- Three must-have keys to competing for at least a wildcard playoff spot in 2025-26.
- The general weakness of the Metropolitan Division.
- How concerned should the organization be over Rasmus Ristolainen recurring triceps tears?
- Sean Couturier’s comments that he’s “tired of losing”.
- Flyers Alumni/Flyers fan trip to Ireland (August 1 to 7).
- Much more during the 32-minute program.
