The World Junior Summer Showcase officially kicked off on Friday afternoon, kicking off over a week of action in Plymouth, Michigan, to help cure the typical summer boredom hockey fans suffer every year – and for Toronto Blue Jays fans, something that’s actually worth watching.

It’s summer hockey, so don’t expect top-quality, playoff-level hockey. But for two Toronto Maple Leafs prospects – Easton Cowan and Noah Chadwick – the goal is simple: show Canada’s coaching staff why you’re worthy of making the roster for the main event that’s held in Ottawa from Dec. 26 – Jan. 5, 2025.

So, here’s a guide to everything you need to know as a Leafs fan hoping to follow this event closely until August 3:

What is it?

The WJSS is an event designed to give each of the four nations a good look at their roster for the main Ottawa tournament this December. Canada, in particular, is sporting a roster that should closely resemble what it’ll look like on home ice, but with plenty of players still to cut. The United States will ice two teams, with the rosters changing from game to game to have different players skate together and see what combinations work.

Finland and Sweden, meanwhile, will bring just a few extras each, with many of the locks for both teams staying home. This will give their respective coaching staff a chance to look at more players, but it’s just one of a few tournaments they play in U-20 competitions throughout the year. For Canada and USA, this is it until the winter, while Sweden and Finland will participate in smaller events over the next few months to get themselves ready.

Canada will only play two games at the actual Summer Showcase in Plymouth – Aug. 2 against Finland, and Aug. 3 against USA. But they will have a split-squad game on July 30 in Windsor before facing off against Sweden the following night, so they will play four games in total. But otherwise, all the other action will remain at USA Hockey Arena, home of, you guessed it, the American national ju

This is all for bragging rights, but the hockey is typically solid. Every player out there wants to make a good impression to start the year, and you still want to beat your close rivals. USA and Canada are obvious heated opponents, but USA and Sweden, as well as Canada and Finland, have built up their own rivalries in recent years, too. Not to mention that the Americans and Swedes played for gold last year, and some players from the U-18 World Championship final between Canada and the United States will be back for this.

Which Toronto Maple Leafs prospects are participating?

Easton Cowan, C (Canada)

Cowan is easily a lock for the team in December – both due to his status as a returning player, but because of just how good of a season he’s coming off of. He struggled at the 2024 World Juniors, mostly playing a depth-checking role. And, frankly, I didn’t think he was overly good at it. But after winning the OHL’s MVP honors for both the regular season and the playoffs, the 2023 first-rounder is ready for a bigger role in his second go-around.

Cowan has given many a reason to believe he will stick around for a while at Leafs’ training camp, and potentially even play a few games with Toronto before going back for another season with London. But at this tournament, it’s a good chance for him to show that he’s ready to play a big role and challenge for a spot high in the lineup.

Noah Chadwick, D (Canada)

Chadwick, meanwhile, isn’t a lock, but his inclusion on Canada is quite interesting. Taken 185th overall in 2023, Chadwick has never been part of Hockey Canada’s on-ice programs, having been more of a late-bloomer as a mid-range prospect at best before the Leafs took him last year. But a 56-point sophomore season in Lethbridge, plus an entry-level contract early this past season, has really helped put Chadwick on the map.

A big showing at Plymouth could go a long way in having Chadwick return for main camp in December. At 6-foot-4 and 201 pounds, he’s easily one of the bigger players on Canada’s roster in this event, but he has also shown some true, pure skill, too. The problem is that with just seven defensemen making the final roster, the competition is going to be fierce. Chadwick does have a slight edge as an older defender, but he still needs to make himself useful in as many facets of the game as possible.

Canada’s schedule

July 30: Canada Red vs. Canada White: 7:30 PM ET (WFCU Centre in Windsor, ON.)
July 31: Canada vs. Sweden: 7:30 PM ET (WFCU Centre in Windsor, ON.)
Aug. 2: Canada vs. Finland: 1:00 PM ET (USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Mich.)
Aug. 3: Canada vs. USA: 4:00 PM ET (USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Mich.)