Snuggerud on fast track for U.S. at 2023 World Junior Summer Showcase

PLYMOUTH, Mich. -- Jimmy Snuggerud isn't putting extra pressure on himself as he works toward being a key player for the United States at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship.

The St. Louis Blues forward prospect is the leading returning scorer from the 2023 WJC at the 2023 World Junior Summer Showcase, being held here through Saturday. He was third in the WJC with 13 points (five goals, eight assists), one behind teammate Logan Cooley (Arizona Coyotes), who was second with 14 points (seven goals, seven assists), in helping the U.S. finish third.

He hasn't scored in two games at USA Hockey Arena, hitting the post on the first shift of USA White's 10-1 win Monday, but isn't worried about that.

Snuggerud (6-foot-1, 186 pounds) said other aspects of his game are where they need to be at this time of year, including improved skating.

"The skating piece is something that's been really huge," the 19-year-old said. "And I think another thing is I've been fortunate enough to play with some really good players. Playing with Logan Cooley and Matthew Knies at (the University of) Minnesota really helped my progression, and going against (defensemen) Brock Faber and Jackson LaCombe at practice, things like that just helped me increase my speed, and I think it turned right over to World Juniors playing with Cutter [Gauthier] and 'Cools' and then on to this tournament."

U.S. coach David Carle called Snuggerud a "one-shot scorer."

"We've got a few of them and he's certainly one of them," Carle said. "Those guys are hard to find. We're thankful obviously he's with our group."

Hameenaho wants to be leader for Finland

Lenni Hameenaho (New Jersey Devils) is one of five players at the WJSS who played for Finland at the 2023 World Juniors, when the team finished fifth and scored 14 goals in five games.

The forward hopes to take a leading role in Finland's attempt to improve those results at the 2024 WJC.

"I want to be a big player for this team and take a big role," he said. "Get my strengths out in every game and help the team to get the wins."

Hameenaho (6-foot, 173 pounds) had two points (one goal, one assist) in five games at the 2023 WJC but said he feels he's gotten off to a good start at the Summer Showcase. He scored off a rebound in Finland's 4-2 win against USA White on Thursday, and scored again during a 4-1 loss to USA Blue on Monday after stealing the puck from forward Danny Nelson (New York Islanders) at the USA blue line and making a nice move at the net.

The 18-year-old will continue to build on that output as he enters his second season with Assat in Liiga, the top professional league in Finland.

"I think I need more power," he said. "And after that, I want to develop my skating and speed to get more of my strength dialed in every game with the puck. Be stronger in Liiga and the World Juniors."

New Denver defensemen get sneak preview

Zeev Buium (2024 draft eligible) and Garrett Brown (Winnipeg Jets) have yet to begin their college careers, but the defensemen are getting an early start on building a relationship with Carle, their coach at the University of Denver and the U.S. coach for the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship, during the WJSS.

"He's a great guy and that makes it fun," Buium said. "And obviously he's a really smart coach. I think it's just getting kind of a taste of what it might be like during the season, what his standards are. It's a huge help."

NCAA rules prohibit Carle from being on the ice with his players until the fall, so he appreciates the rare opportunity he has now to get to know two of his new players.

"It's a really good opportunity for them to be at an event like this with an opportunity to make a good impression and be in the mix to get on the team," Carle said, "but also getting them ready for our training camp back at Denver and the things that we'll be asking them to do. I think it's a great thing. ... I'm hopeful that they're both taking advantage of [it] and [that it] helps them start the season well for us at Denver."

There also is the added benefit that Buium (5-foot-11, 177 pounds) and Brown (6-2, 178) get by being seen daily by one of the chief decision-makers for the 2024 WJC.

However, they know that can only go so far.

"It's definitely very helpful that he's the head coach, but at the end of the day we've still got to come out here and make the team just like everybody else," Brown said. "It would mean a lot and I know for Zeev too. It's always an honor every time I get the opportunity to wear the USA sweater, so I'm just trying to play my best, compete my hardest and trying to make the team just anyway that fits."

Trades to announce

There were some trades between USA White and USA Blue ahead of their game Wednesday.

Among those joining USA White are forwards Quentin Musty (San Jose Sharks), Gabe Perreault (New York Rangers) and William Smith (Sharks), and defenseman Seamus Casey (Devils).

Shifting to USA Blue are forwards Isaac Howard (Tampa Bay Lightning), Frank Nazar (Chicago Blackhawks) and Rutger McGroarty (Jets); defensemen Lane Hutson (Montreal Canadiens) and Ryan Chesley (Washington Capitals); and goalie Trey Augustine (Detroit Red Wings).

With the evaluation format of the camp, it's not a surprise to see some changes. And Carle had said since the early days of camp that there would be changes as the USA Hockey staff learns more about the players.

"You want to make sure you're giving different looks, giving guys different opportunities," he said Sunday. "I think that's a big thing. ... There's some things that we know that have worked in the past for certain players and we know that we can come back to those things if needed, when the time is right."