Belchetz, Nesbitt Lead Canada as 2026 Summer Showcase Rosters Revealed

While the 2026-27 Ontario Hockey League (OHL) season is less than two months away, hockey fans in Windsor will get a treat of another kind this week. The 2026 World Junior Summer Showcase takes over the WFCU Centre and, as the roster was released, two familiar faces will dress for Team Canada.

The summer is in full swing at the WFCU Centre. As Spitfires’ general manager Bill Bowler works to rebuild his roster for the upcoming season, Under-20 teams from Canada, the USA, Finland, and Sweden are taking over the WFCU Centre ice for the Summer Showcase starting on Sun., July 26. It’s in preparation for the 2027 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship from Dec. 26, 2026 through Jan. 5, 2027 in Edmonton and Red Deer, AB. All four countries have released their rosters for the event, and two members of the Spitfires will get a chance to play in front of their home crowd. Let’s look at the rosters.

Spitfires’ Belchetz and Nesbitt Join Team Canada

We start off with the hosts, Team Canada. Their roster features 32 talents from across the Canadian Hockey League and NCAA. It includes players like Vancouver Canucks’ prospect forward Caleb Malhotra and San Jose Sharks’ prospect defenceman Keaton Verhoeff.

Also included are two players that Spitfires’ fans will know well – Philadelphia Flyers‘ prospect forward Jack Nesbitt and Utah Mammoth prospect forward Ethan Belchetz.

The 6-foot-5, 228-pound Belchetz had a breakout 2025-26 season with 34 goals for the Spitfires before suffering a season-ending collarbone injury just before the playoffs. Nesbitt had 58 points in 55 games and was ready to take a leadership role this season with the club.

However, both Nesbitt and Belchetz announced their NCAA commitments earlier this spring, with Nesbitt going to the University of Michigan and Belchetz heading to Michigan State University. That means this might be the last time that fans in Windsor will get a chance to see their favourite Spitfires on the WFCU Centre ice. It’s a bittersweet moment but one that everyone will soak in and do their best to enjoy.

Here is the full Canadian roster (first name, last name):

Goaltenders:

• Lucas Beckman – Cape Breton Eagles (Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL))
• Jack Ivankovic – University of Michigan (Big Ten)
• William Lacelle – Blainville – Boisbriand Armada (QMJHL)
• Samuel Meloche – Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)

Defencemen:

• Jackson Smith – Penn State University (Big Ten)
• Keaton Verhoeff – University of North Dakota (National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC))
• Carson Carels – Prince George Cougars (Western Hockey League (WHL))
• Ryan Lin – Vancouver Giants (WHL)
• Brek Liske – Everett Silvertips (WHL)
• Cameron Reid – Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
• Daxon Rudolph – Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
• Charlie Morrison – Quebec Remparts (QMJHL)
• Xavier Villeneuve – Armada (QMJHL)
• Alex Huang – Chicoutimi Sagueneens (QMJHL)

Forwards:

• Cole Reschny – University of North Dakota (NCHC)
• Phillip Veilleux – Val-D’or Foreurs (QMJHL)
• Shea Busch – Silvertips (WHL)
• Ethan Czata – Guelph Storm (OHL)
• Caleb Malhotra – Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)
• Braeden Cootes – Raiders (WHL)
• Caleb Desnoyers – Moncton Wildcats (QMJHL)
• Chase Harrington – Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
• Tyler Hopkins – Storm (OHL)
• Tommy Lafreniere – Kamloops Blazers (WHL)
• Dima Zhilkin – Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
• Jimmy Lombardi – Flint Firebirds (OHL)
• Ryan Roobroeck – Storm (OHL)
• Ethan Belchetz – Spitfires (OHL)
• Cameron Schmidt – Victoria Royals (WHL)
• Brady Martin – Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
• Jack Nesbitt – Spitfires (OHL)
• Tynan Lawrence – Boston University (Hockey East)

Finland, Sweden, and USA Reveal Rosters

Joining Team Canada will be players from Finland, Sweden, and the USA, who will be split into two teams for pre-event games listed below.

Team Finland

The Finnish team features 25 players, including 2026 Chicago Blackhawks’ prospect defenceman Samu Alalauri, who was taken in the third round, 66th overall.

Here is the roster for Team Finland (last name, first name):

Goaltenders:

• 1 Rossi, Jester – Jokipojat Joensuu
• 30 Ainasto, Juuso – Jokerit Helsinki
• 31 Kerkola, Patrik – KalPa Kuopio

Defencemen:

• 2 Kapanen, Ilari – Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
• 3 Sippola, Ossi – HIFK Helsinki
• 4 Kotajärvi, Jesper – KalPa Kuopio
• 5 Saari, Julius – Erie Otters (OHL)
• 6 Laatikainen, Max – Sport Vaasa
• 7 Svensk, Vertti – SaiPa Lappeenranta
• 9 Alalauri, Samu – University of Massachusetts (Hockey East)
• 22 Ruotsalainen, Veeti – Kärpät Oulu

Forwards:

• 8 Kuisma, Juho – Sioux City Musketeers (United States Hockey League (USHL))
• 11 Kämäräinen, Rasmus – Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)
• 12 Katavisto, Aapo – Northern Michigan University (Central Collegiate Hockey Association)
• 16 Laitinen, Jiko – Ilves Tampere
• 18 Mäkinen, Ilari – HPK Hämeenlinna
• 19 Pärssinen, Jesse – TPS Turku
• 20 Virtanen, Jeremi – TPS Turku
• 23 Aarvala, Taavi – Jokerit Helsinki
• 24 Somervuori, Jere – HIFK Helsinki
• 25 Pakarinen, Noel – Penticton Vees (British Columbia Hockey League)
• 26 Uronen, Anttoni – HIFK Helsinki
• 27 Orpana, Eetu – Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL)
• 28 Vanninen, Aapo – Lukko Rauma
• 29 Vanhatalo, Vilho – Tappara Tampere

Team Sweden

The Swedes come into the event with 25 players as well, including 2026 NHL Draft 12th overall pick forward Alexander Command (New Jersey Devils).

Here is the roster for Team Sweden (first name, last name).

Goaltenders: 

• 1 Isak Sörqvist – Luleå HF 
• 30 Kevin Törnblom -Örebro HK 
• 35 Måns Goos – Färjestad BK 

Defencemen: 

• 3 Oliwer Sjöström – Luleå HF 
• 4 Malte Gustafsson – HV 71 
• 6 Linus Funck – London Knights (OHL)
• 7 Theo Hallquisth – Örebro HK 
• 8 Rocky Langvardt – Leksands IF 
• 9 Ola Palme – Växjö Lakers HC 
• 19 William Håkansson – Luleå HF 
• 24 Axel Bröngel-Larsson – Frölunda HC 

Forwards:

• 11 Jakob Ihs-Wozniak – Luleå HF 
• 12 Milton Gästrin – MoDo Hockey 
• 14 Filip Ekberg – Ottawa 67’s (OHL)
• 15 Alexander Command – Örebro HK 
• 17 Torkel Jennersjö – Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL)
• 18 Theo Stockselius – Djurgårdens IF 
• 20 Elton Hermansson – MoDo Hockey 
• 21 Marcus Nordmark – Djurgårdens IF 
• 22 Loke Krantz – Linköpings HC 
• 23 Isac Nilsson – IF Malmö Redhawks 
• 25 Viktor Klingsell – Skellefteå AIK 
• 26 Eric Nilson – Michigan State University (Big Ten)
• 27 Melvin Novotny – Lumberjacks (USHL)
• 29 Morgan Anderberg – Växjö Lakers HC 

Team USA

Finally, the Americans come to Windsor with a large roster of 48 players, including Los Angeles Kings’ prospect defenceman Henry Brzustewicz and Seattle Kraken prospect defenceman Chase Reid.

Here is the roster for Team USA (first name, last name).

Goaltenders:

• Brady Knowling – US National Under-18 Team (USHL)
• Xavier Wendt – Tri-City Americans (WHL)
• Ryder Fetterolf – 67’s (OHL)
• Ryan Cameron – Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL)
• Harrison Boettiger – Rockets (WHL)

Defencemen:

• Odin Vauhkonen – Royals (WHL)
• Charlie Trethewey – Boston University (Hockey East Association (HEA))
• Drew Schock – University of Michigan (Big Ten)
• Luke Shairer – US National Under-18 Team (USHL)
• Timofei Runtso – Royals (WHL)
• Jacob Rombach – University of Minnesota (Big Ten)
• Chase Reid – Greyhounds (OHL)
• Mace’o Phillips – Green Bay Gamblers (USHL)
• Landon Nycz – University of Massachusetts (HEA)
• Blake Fiddler – Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)
• Henry Brzustewicz – Ontario Reign (AHL) / Knights (OHL)
• Nick Bogas – US National Under-18 Team (USHL)
• Tommy Bleyl – Wildcats (QMJHL)
• Sean Barnhill – Michigan State University (Big Ten)
• Asher Barnett – University of Michigan (Big Ten)
• Carter Amico – Lumberjacks (USHL)

Forwards:

• Ethan Wyttenbach – Quinnipiac University (Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Hockey)
• Mason West – Fargo Force (USHL)
• Logan Stuart – US National Under-18 Team (USHL)
• Brent Solomon – Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL)
• Cooper Simpson – Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
• Carter Sanderson – Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL)
• Brooks Rogowski – Oshawa Generals (OHL)
• Cullen Potter – Michigan State University (Big Ten)
• Victor Plante – US National Under-18 Team (USHL)
• Sammy Nelson – US National Under-18 Team (USHL)
• Teddy Mutryn – Wildcats (QMJHL)
• Casey Mutryn – US National Under-18 Team (USHL)
• Jack Murtagh – Boston University (HEA)
• Will Moore – Boston College (HEA)
• LJ Mooney – University of Minnesota (Big Ten)
• Mason Moe – University of Minnesota (Big Ten)
• Cole McKinney – University of Michigan (Big Ten)
• Jacob Kvasnicka – Penticton Vees (BCHL)
• JP Hurlbert – Kamloops Blazers (WHL)
• Will Horcoff – University of Michigan (Big Ten)
• Jack Hextall – Phantoms (USHL)
• Shaeffer Gordon-Carroll – Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
• Jamie Glance – US National Under-18 Team (USHL)
• Richard Gallant – Harvard University (ECAC Hockey)
• Conrad Fondrk – Boston University (HEA)
• Wyatt Cullen – US National Under-18 Team (USHL)
• Mikey Berchild – US National Under-18 Team (USHL)

The teams will play 10 games in total, starting with Finland and Sweden both playing teams from the United States in pre-event games on Sunday and Monday.

After that, games are Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday with all teams playing every day. Canada faces Sweden on Wed., July 29 at 7:00 p.m., Finland on Thurs., July 30 at 7:00 p.m., and the USA on Sat., Aug. 1 at 4:00 p.m. Tickets are available on the WFCU Centre website.