FUTURE WATCH: World Junior Summer Showcase Update

EDMONTON, AB - The 2019 World Junior Summer Showcase is underway in Plymouth, MI, with a few Oilers prospects competing for their respective nations to showcase their abilities ahead of the 2020 IIHF World Junior Championship, which begins on Dec. 26 in the Czech Republic.
Oilers Vice President of Player Personnel Scott Howson was also a guest on 630 CHED's Oilers Now with Bob Stauffer on Thursday, providing some commentary on the prospects partaking in the event.

Goaltender Olivier Rodrigue, Team Canada
Olivier Rodrigue was flawless in his only appearance so far in the tournament, stopping all 17 pucks he faced in Canada's 4-1 win over Team USA on Tuesday.
The Moncton Wildcats netminder only played 30 minutes, as the Canadians split the goaltending duties between Rodrigue and Hunter Jones. Nonetheless, Rodrigue performed exceptionally against a squad that featured lethal offensive forwards Oliver Wahlstrom, Alex Turcotte, Trevor Zegras, Cole Caufield and K'Andre Miller, who combined for 13 shots on goal.
The Oilers second-round selection (62nd-overall) in the 2018 NHL Draft held his own when under pressure, at one point making back-to-back saves on Jack Drury then John Beecher.

"He looked as good as I've ever seen him look in that game," Howson said. "He played the first half, he didn't allow a goal and I think he had 17 shots.
"Olivier stopped I think 14 in the first period. They got outshot 14-6 but they came out with a 1-0 lead. He was really, really good in that game and they went on to win that game 4-1."
Defenceman Philip Broberg, Team Sweden
Defenceman Philip Broberg has suited up in two of Sweden's three contests at the tournament, helping his club edge USA White 2-1 in his first outing then seeing his Swedes drop a 6-0 decision to Team USA on Wednesday.
The eighth-overall pick at the 2019 NHL Draft this past June registered three shots on goal in each of the games he dressed in, compiling six shots on goal total in the tournament.
Although Broberg hasn't found the scoresheet at the circuit, the rearguard has been a major part of the club's breakout, owning the ability to skate pucks out of his zone with poise and thread outlet passes to forwards.

Forward Raphael Lavoie, Team Canada
Like Rodrigue, Edmonton's 2019 second-rounder (38th-overall) Raphael Lavoie has also only laced up for one game in the tournament, as Canada touched down in Michigan a few days later than the three other squads competing (Finland, USA, Sweden).
Lavoie was pointless in Canada's 8-3 loss to Finland but was able to maintain an even plus-minus rating despite the lopsided outcome.
"In the game yesterday, they iced almost a completely different lineup and it was 5-0 after the first period," Howson said of Canada's 8-3 loss.
"They just got smoked by Finland, who's already played two or three games. Raphael was in that game but the whole team struggled to find their legs early. By the time they got them it was out of reach."
Forward Patrik Siikanen, Team Finland
Patrik Siikanen, who attended Oilers Development Camp in June, has appeared in each of the three games Finland's played, assisting the club in achieving their 2-1 record.
The Oilers 2018 seventh-rounder (195th-overall) hasn't picked up any points at the tournament but had two shots in Finland's 8-3 victory over Canada on Wednesday and has four shots on goal total at the tournament.