Chicago Blackhawks prospect Tim Soderlund is hoping to find some redemption at this year’s World Junior Championship after coming home empty handed this year in the bronze-medal game to Russia. In order to do so he’ll have to make Sweden’s roster for the tournament. He’s made the first step in doing so by being named one of the 25 Swedish players to the World Junior Summer Showcase.
The event will take place July 28-Aug. 5 at USA Hockey Arena and features practices and games against Canada, Finland and the United States. It’s the initial step in selecting teams for the upcoming World Junior Championship, which will be Dec. 26-Jan. 5, 2018 in Buffalo and Orchard Park, New York. Team USA won this year’s tournament in January by defeating rival Canada 5-4 in a shootout at the Bell Centre in Montreal.
Soderlund, the Hawks’ fourth-round selection (No. 112 overall) at last month’s draft, scored two goals and assisted on another in seven games at this year’s tournament.
Soderlund logged seven points in 39 games for Skellefteå AIK of the Swedish Hockey League last season. The 19-year-old’s numbers might not jump out, but it was his first season in Sweden’s top league after recording 39 points in 42 games in juniors.
The Swedish forward won’t be the only Hawks prospect at the tournament as forward Evan Barratt (2017 third-rounder) and defenseman Chad Krys (2016 second-rounder) will suit up for the United States.