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Blackhawks prospects Nicolas Beaudin, Ian Mitchell named to Canada’s roster for 2018 World Junior Summer Showcase

Chicago Blackhawks defensemen prospects Nicolas Beaudin and Ian Mitchell were among 40 players named to Hockey Canada’s roster for the World Junior Summer Showcase on Wednesday.

The showcase will be July 28 to Aug. 4 in Kamloops, British Columbia, at the Sandman Centre. The week-long camp will include 11 international competitions between Canada, Finland, Sweden and the United States.

The duo will be auditioning for spots on Canada’s roster for the 2019 World Junior Championship, which runs from Dec. 26 to Jan. 5, 2019, in Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia. Mitchell, a 2017 second-round pick by Chicago, dished out two assists in five games for Canada at the 2018 under-18 WJC. Beaudin (2018 first-rounder) has never played for Canada.

Mitchell scored two goals with 28 assists in 41 games for the University of Denver last season as a freshman. The 5-foot-11, 174-pound defenseman mainly played with fellow Chicago prospect Blake Hillman on the blueline.

Mitchell and Ottawa Senators forward prospect Shane Bowers are the only NCAA players on Canada’s roster. Bowers plays at Boston University.

Beaudin recorded 12 goals and 57 assists in 68 games last season with the Drummondville Voltigeurs in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The left-hander will play his fourth season with Drummondville this winter.

The Hawks will three other prospecets in the showcase with forwards Evan Barratt (2017 third round) Jake Wise (2018 third round) and defenseman Joshua Ess (2017 seventh round) dressing up for the U.S.

Barratt tallied 11 goals and 18 points in 32 games for Penn State during his freshman campaign. The 6-foot, 183 pound center attended the showcase last year, but was cut after two games. He scored a goal assisted on another in a win over Finland to open the tournament and had a helper in a victory over Canada Red.

Wise recorded 11 goals and 43 points in 38 games for the U.S. National under 18 team last season. The 5-foot-10, 190-pound center tallied a goal and four assists in seven games for the U.S. at the 2018 WJC-18.

Ess scored two goals and assisted on two others in 33 games during his freshman season at Wisconsin. The 5-foot-11, 181-pound defenseman is expected to see an increased role next season for the Badgers.

Chicago area natives Cole Coskey (Zion), Sean Dhooghe (Aurora) and Jack Drury (Winnetka) and Joey Keane (Chicago) also made Team USA’s roster.

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