Cutter Gauthier, Devin Kaplan, and Cole Knuble represent the Philadelphia Flyers and the United States at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Summer Showcase in progress.
Four teams are included in the 2023 IIHF Summer Showcase. The United States is split into two squads, Team White and Team Blue, and the other two countries are Finland and Sweden. Team White will face Team Blue on August 2nd, 2023. The showcase serves as an evaluation for skaters aiming to make a national team roster at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship.
Gauthier and Kaplan both reside on Team White. Knuble represents Team Blue.
The United States didn’t capture a victory on Saturday. Team Blue was shut out by Sweden, 7-0. Team White dropped their first contest, 4-2, to Finland.
Cutter Gauthier
Speculation surrounded Gauthier as the season concluded after it was shared that he wouldn’t attend the 2023 Flyers Development Camp. Gauthier couldn’t miss a class as an NCAA student-athlete if he took a summer course. Additionally, he would have to pay for food, transportation, and housing.
His reason for skipping the 2023 Flyers Development Camp didn’t have to do with either of those conflicts. Gauthier declined the invite because he needed time to decompress after a long freshman season at Boston College and a blazing showing at the 2023 IIHF World Championship.
“Was a little bit too much hockey after Worlds. Just too much for me. I wanted time with the family, so I figured it was best to stay home. After talking to Danny [Briere], obviously, it wasn’t his favorite thing, but it was best for me.”
Cutter Gauthier; 7/30/2023
At Boston College, he was the leading scorer in his first season with 37 points (16G, 21A) in 32GP. While playing for the United States at the IIHF World Championship, Gauthier scored nine points (7G, 2A) in 10GP.
Gauthier will return to Boston College in 2023-2024, already a top prospect in the Flyers’ prospect pool. He could sign with the Flyers after the upcoming season.
“That’s definitely the plan. After this year, hopefully, we get done pretty late there in April with the group we have, but overall that’s the goal.”
Cutter Gauthier; 7/30/2023
At the 2024 IIHF World Juniors, Gauthier will likely represent the United States again. He helped the United States to a bronze medal at the 2023 IIHF World Juniors, scoring 10 points (4G, 6A) in 7GP.
Devin Kaplan
A third-round selection at the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, the Flyers chose Kaplan. He had a solid freshman season at Boston University, scoring 23 points (10G, 13A) in 40GP. Kaplan escalated from the USNTDP to the NCAA, showing noticeable strides in his progression.
During his first season at Boston University, Kaplan worked on becoming a more versatile skater, showcasing his progression at the 2023 Flyers Development Camp. You could find Kaplan throughout the lineup at Boston University, which helped fine-tune his game. He could potentially become a solid middle-six forward in a future Flyers lineup.
“It was good for me to play up and down the lineup to become a versatile player, and then adjust with the older and stronger guys. Learn to use my body in different ways; more effective ways.”
Devin Kaplan; 7/5/2023
Kaplan last represented the United States in the U18 World Juniors in 2021-2022. He tallied six points (1G, 5A) in as many games.
Cole Knuble
In the lineup for Team Blue, Knuble will test his skills before he joins the University of Notre Dame in 2023-2024. Knuble is working to earn a role at the 2024 IIHF World Juniors, playing alongside multiple 2023 NHL Entry Draft first-round selections.
Formerly the captain of the United States for the U19 World Junior A Challenge in 2022, Knuble led his team to the championship. His nine points (3G, 6A) were good enough to call him a WJAC-19 All-Star and WJAC-19 Champion.
“I wanna’ have an impact. I wanna’ be a really big impact on the team as a freshman and help us win. Continue to develop as a player and person, those are the biggest goals.”
Cole Knuble; 7/2/2023
Knuble made significant progress overall with the Fargo Force in the USHL, remaining on the Flyers’ radar for the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. Life came full circle once he heard his name called on draft day, and with a successful development camp, Knuble is ready to make an impact at the University of Notre Dame.
(Photo by Lawrence Iles/Icon Sportswire)
