© Michael Miller, ISI Photos / Chris Tanouye, Getty Images

Saturday was the ninth 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. –– The United States’ 5-4 shootout win against Canada on the final day of the World Junior Summer Showcase featured an interesting subplot: the battle between U.S. forward James Hagens and Canada forward Porter Martone, who could be the first two players selected in the 2025 NHL Draft.

Hagens, who stands 5-foot-10 and weighs 168 pounds, showcased his high-end playmaking skills with an assist on a second-period goal by Quentin Musty from San Jose Sharks. Although Martone, who is 6-3 and 196 pounds, didn’t score any points, he was able to display his abilities as a top-end power forward.

The friendly rivalry between them primarily dates back to their youth hockey days when they were teammates for several years on the same spring team, which included participating in a tournament in Italy.

“Martone is an exceptional player,” stated 17-year-old Hagens. “Facing him on the ice is always a challenge. He’s the type of person who pushes you to perform at your best. You simply can’t afford to let him have the puck because he is great at making plays. He is truly unique both as a person and a player.”

“Obviously, Hagens is an incredible player. You can see that from the plays he makes out there,” said 17-year-old Martone about Hagens.

Throughout the upcoming season, the two are likely to be intertwined, including the possibility of each participating in the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship.

“Off the ice, we’re friends,” said Martone, “but once that jersey is on, there are no friends. We compete fiercely and it’s always enjoyable to go up against him.”

Having played on Hagens’ line at the WJSS and against Martone with Sudbury in the Ontario Hockey League, Musty has a unique perspective. However, he was not prepared to assume the role of a fantasy general manager at this time.

“He expressed empathy for the GMs faced with the difficult decision, stating, “These players are exceptional. It’s enjoyable to observe them. One can only really just sit back, watch, and admire their talent.”

Here are three things learned Saturday:

New skates would be great for Luchanko

One of Jett Luchanko‘s strengths is his skating, but the Canada forward impressed the Philadelphia Flyers development staff even more when they learned he was using skates that were more than two years old.

“From the way he was gliding on the ice, it seemed as if he was floating,” said Riley Armstrong, the Flyers’ director of player development. “He then shared with me that he was wearing skates that were two years old and that he dislikes wearing new ones. I was taken aback and suggested, ‘Let’s get you some new skates. It could be amazing to see what you could do with them.'”

It’s quite humorous from that perspective. He’s zipping around the rink with these worn-out, old skates.

Luchanko uses an older Bauer Supreme skate model, but has not found a comfortable fit with any of the newer ones he has tried.

“He said on Saturday, ‘It’s quite challenging to take them off. I’ve experimented with various skates, but I am really fond of these. So, I’m still figuring it out. I hope I can discover something that I like.”

Luchanko has performed well with his well-used skates. The teenager, who is 17, netted a goal on Saturday. Before being chosen by the Flyers in the first round (No. 13) of the 2024 NHL Draft, he topped the Guelph team of the OHL by earning 74 points, consisting of 20 goals and 54 assists, in 68 games.

He is hoping that his search for skates will lead him to a comfortable pair, as he is uncertain about the durability of his current model.

He said, “They are reaching the stage where they may start to break. Ideally, I hope to find a pair and perhaps I can just buy a bulk of them for my entire career. That would likely be the most optimal choice.”

Golden opportunity for Nadeau

Bradly Nadeau played on Canada’s top line for each of its two games at USA Hockey Arena here, including Saturday, when he and had an assist before scoring in the first round of the shootout.

Nadeau, who inked a three-year, entry-level contract with the Carolina Hurricanes on April 7 and debuted in the NHL on April 16, may get a chance to kick off the season with the Hurricanes. However, this opportunity could potentially put an end to his WJC aspirations.

The 19-year-old has never participated in an international tournament for Canada, but he’s not focused on such distant goals.

“I’m simply aiming to work diligently and see where that leads,” he stated on Friday. “Regardless of where I end up, my main focus is to ensure that I work hard and strive to progress to the next level.”

Nadeau, who was picked by Carolina in the first round (No. 30) of the 2023 NHL Draft, stated that his single NHL game to date has been a revelation, demonstrating the level of effort he’ll need to put in to stay with the Hurricanes.

“He expressed, “Spending time with those guys often leaves you with a feeling of not doing enough. It causes a shift in your training routine as you begin to do more. It was indeed beneficial for me to witness their process and identify elements that I could incorporate into my own game.”

Nadeau (5-10, 161) stated that the primary advice he’s received from the Hurricanes development staff is to increase his strength.

“I believe I’ve made significant progress in the few months since the season ended,” he said. “However, there’s still a month and a half to go, during which I intend to continue this advancement.”

Pieniniemi learns from Letang

Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman prospect Emil Pieniniemi spent about three weeks during the offseason skating and training in Pittsburgh, where he kept a close watch on Penguins defenseman Kris Letang.

Pieniniemi was certainly impressed by the conditioning required for the 37-year-old to play all 82 games last season, his 18th in the NHL. He scored 51 points, including 10 goals and 41 assists.

“The 19-year-old remarked, “I just observed him exercising. Despite being significantly older than me, he’s still performing all his tasks excellently.”

Pieniniemi, who stands at 6-2 and weighs 170 pounds, was selected in the third round of the 2023 draft by the Penguins. The 91st pick is well aware that in order to progress in his career, he needs to build more strength. He admits that his stint in Pittsburgh has contributed to his physical development, but acknowledges there is still much to be accomplished.

“His physical training has increased his defensive skills,” stated Lauri Mikkola, the coach of Finland. “He often handles situations well, although he still lacks some strength. Nonetheless, his defense has improved.”

Pieniniemi contributed an assist in Finland’s 5-3 victory over Sweden on Saturday and accumulated three points, including two goals and one assist, in four games at the WJSS. He is also on the verge of deciding where to play this season, either with Karpat in Liiga in Finland, or with Kingston in the Ontario Hockey League. Kingston selected him with the 10th pick in the 2023 Canadian Hockey League import draft.

It would be beneficial for him to adapt to North American-sized rinks before reaching the NHL, but remaining at home and playing in the top men’s league there would also be advantageous.

“I believe [the OHL] would be beneficial for me, as would be in Finland,” he stated. “So, it’s a tough decision.”