Top 10 players at Summer Showcase, according to NHL.com

KAMLOOPS, British Columbia -- The players, coaches and executives at the World Junior Summer Showcase know that summer hockey results have little bearing on how a season could unfold.

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"It's summer hockey, I don't care how many goals or assists you get," Canada coach Tim Hunter said. "Did you play the right way? If you play the right way, that's the process."
A number of players have stood out during the eight days of games and practices at Sandman Centre and made strong first impressions toward their goal of playing at the 2019 IIHF World Junior Championship Dec. 26-Jan. 5 in Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia.
Here are NHL.com's top 10 players, in alphabetical order:

Noah Dobson, D, Canada (New York Islanders)

The 18-year-old showed poise and skill that belie his age. In his first time competing at the U-20 level he had little problem excelling at both ends of the ice. He scored two goals in Canada's 4-3 overtime win against Sweden, and had three in two games.
"He doesn't play like a 2000 (born player), he plays like a 1999," Hunter said. "He's got composure, he's got confidence, he's a big guy (6-foot-3, 180 pounds), he's got presence on the ice. That's going to bode well for giving him an opportunity to play on this team come December."

Joel Farabee, F, United States (Philadelphia Flyers)

Farabee (6-0, 164), led the U.S. with three goals in five games. The 18-year-old forward displayed his high-end hockey sense and offensive skills on almost every shift.
"I was thoroughly impressed with the young man, his game, his mental approach," U.S. coach Mike Hastings said. "He put a lot of miles on this week, played a lot of minutes, and I didn't see his game drop off from day to day. I was really impressed with his ability to play on both sides of the puck."

Jack Hughes, F, United States (2019 NHL Draft eligible)

The 17-year-old arguably was the best player. His blend of top-end skill, high hockey IQ and work ethic was obvious. He had three points (one goal, two assists) in five games, including an assist to his brother, Quintin Hughes (Vancouver Canucks) for the winning goal against Canada in a split-squad game.
Despite being the youngest player at the event, Hughes (5-9, 157) never looked out of place.
"I'm a confident kid," he said. "From playing with older kids (growing up) and being around them, I'm not really too fazed by it. Just worrying about what I do."

Quintin Hughes, D, United States (Vancouver Canucks)

The 18-year-old showed a dynamic offensive skill set, including a three-assist game in a 5-4 win against Sweden. His signature moment came in overtime that game, when he carried the puck through the offensive zone, deked around his man, cut to the net and slid a pass through the crease to Joshua Norris for the winner.
Hughes (5-10, 170) finished with a U.S.-high six points (one goal, five assists) in five games.
"He likes to play the game and he plays it at a pace," Hastings said. "His ability to move laterally makes him really difficult to defend. I was happy with the way he played throughout the camp."

Rasmus Kupari, F, Finland (Los Angeles Kings)

Kupari (6-1, 183) is one of three returning players from the 2018 WJC team. The 18-year-old forward had four assists in five games playing center and right wing on Finland's top line.
"He's a very good skater, he's fast and he's a very skillful player," said Finland forward Aarne Talvitie, who played on a line with Kupari all week. "He's good with the puck and he can move the puck. Then it just leaves you to go to the net."

Isac Lundestrom, F, Sweden (Anaheim Ducks)

The 18-year-old had one goal in four games but arguably was Sweden's best player. Lundestrom (6-0, 185) started the week centering Olle Lycksell (Philadelphia Flyers) and Emil Bemstrom (Columbus Blue Jackets), but as the camp went on coach Tomas Monten used Lundestrom in different roles.
"I think he's been our best forward," Monten said. "He's a returning player (from the 2018 WJC), he's been playing on a high level and for sure he leads by example. I think he's been really good. He controls his line, he creates. He's one of those guys we need to lean on."

Jay O'Brien, F, United States (Philadelphia Flyers)

The 18-year-old made the biggest jump in competition of any player at the camp, going from playing against New England high school players to the best under-20 players in the world, and never looked out of place.
At times O'Brien (5-11, 185) looked like the fastest player on the ice. He also was versatile enough to play center and wing, kill penalties and play the point on the power play.
He scored two goals in a 6-5 loss to Canada and had four points (two goals, two assists) in five games.
"He can skate and his head can keep up with his feet, which is pretty special," Hastings said. "As he continues to gain some confidence you'll see him continue to get better."

Mattias Samuelsson, D, United States (Buffalo Sabres)

The 18-year-old had one assist in five games, but his forte is using his size (6-4, 218), strength and long stick to eliminate attacking forwards and transition play the other way.
Hastings was a fan, saying "Steady. Unassuming. Reliable. Us boring guys kind of like that. … I appreciate him more and more every day."

Ty Smith, D, Canada (New Jersey Devils)

Smith (5-11, 185) had one assist in two games but the 18-year-old defenseman showcased his smooth skating and smart play to help Canada create offense.
"He's a real bright hockey player," Hunter said. "I've talked to a lot of scouts and they call him the surveyor. He comes up the ice surveying which play am I going to make, which is the best one. … Once he got settled in and made the easy passes he was very good."

Aarne Talvitie, F, Finland (New Jersey Devils)

Talvitie (5-10, 198) Finland's captain, scored four goals in five games. He had an outstanding camp at the 2018 WJSS but wasn't able to play at a level consistent enough to make Finland's 2018 WJC team. Now 19, he'll be a freshman at Penn State in the fall and feels his game has grown to where he'll have a big role at the 2019 WJC.
"I think he's taken the step ahead in his game and he has really great leadership qualities," Finland coach Jussi Ahokas said. "He plays a really great two-way game, plays hard and he can score."

Honorable mention: Paul Cotter, F, United States (Vegas Golden Knights); Lukas Elvenes, F, Sweden (Vegas Golden Knights); Alex Formenton, F, Canada (Ottawa Senators); Rickard Hugg, F, Sweden; Oskari Laaksonen, D, Finland (Buffalo Sabres); Grant Mismash, F, United States (Nashville Predators); Ian Mitchell, D, Canada (Chicago Blackhawks); Joshua Norris, F, United States (San Jose Sharks); Marcus Sylvegard, F, Sweden; Fabian Zetterlund, F, Sweden (New Jersey Devils).