Three Oilers prospects participated in this year\u2019s Summer Showcase: defenceman Asher Barnett \u00a0(131st overall selection in 2025 NHL Draft<\/a>) and goaltender Ryan Cameron (212th overall in 2026) of the United States, and Canadian forward Tommy Lafreniere (83rd overall in 2025). Here\u2019s a look at how that trio fared.<\/p>\n Asher Barnett<\/p>\n Given his experience playing in the last edition of the World Junior Championship, Barnett is a pretty safe bet to be part of Team USA again this time around.<\/p>\n Hockey USA started this year\u2019s Summer Showcase with two teams, USA Blue and USA White, before cutting 10 players<\/a> and forming one squad for the latter half of the tournament.<\/p>\n As part of USA Blue, the Illinois native suited up for victories over Sweden and Finland. Against the Finns, Barnett made a terrific outlet pass to sprung Ethan Wyttenbach on a breakaway that resulted in the first goal of the game.<\/p>\n After the USA formed one roster, Barnett saw action in a 5-2 loss to Sweden and a 7-2 triumph over Canada<\/a>. The 19-year-old recorded a primary assist on Sammy Nelson\u2019s short-handed goal that put Team USA ahead 1-0 against the Canadians. \u00a0<\/p>\n All told, Barnett finished the Summer Showcase with two assists and four penalty minutes over four games. He was excellent defensively, flashed an ability to start the rush, and just generally looked like a veteran, both in his play and leadership. It\u2019s not hard to imagine the Michigan Wolverines sophomore wearing a letter for the United States at World Juniors 2027.<\/p>\n Ryan Cameron<\/p>\n Like Barnett, Cameron began Summer Showcase on USA Blue, appearing in half of the game against both Sweden and Finland. The 18-year-old stopped a combined 24 of 25 shots over those two contests, and was particularly impressive facing Finland, making several big saves while USA Blue was short-handed with the score tied 0-0.<\/p>\n After the USA formed a single roster, Cameron saw action in one of three games, stopping 22 of 25 shots over 58 minutes in the Americans\u2019 loss to Sweden.<\/p>\n Cameron finished the Summer Showcase with a goals-against average of 2.02 and save percentage of .920, ranking second in both categories among the four American goalies who competed in Windsor.<\/p>\n Given that three goalies will make the American World Juniors team, Cameron must be considered a strong contender for a roster spot. The Pennsylvania product\u2019s play with the Cedar Rapids RoughRiders over the first part of the 2026-27 United States Hockey League (USHL) season will go a long way in either helping or hurting his cause.<\/p>\n Tommy Lafreniere<\/p>\n Lafreniere appeared in two of Canada\u2019s three contests, suiting up for a 5-3 loss to Sweden and 5-3 victory over Finland.<\/p>\n The Quebec native was kept off the scoresheet versus Sweden, but recorded the primary assist on Caleb Desnoyer\u2019s game-winning goal against the Finns. He finished the tournament with 1 point and 0 penalty minutes in two contests.<\/p>\n \u201cI just stuck to my game,\u201d Lafreniere said during a media availability<\/a> at the end of the Summer Showcase. \u201cI didn\u2019t change anything. I played a hard, physical, fast game, and that\u2019s what I need to do, so I\u2019m happy about it.\u201d<\/p>\n Lafreniere, 19, is older than all but two of the 17 other forwards who were part of the Canadian roster in Windsor. He wasn\u2019t invited to the Summer Showcase last year but played his way onto Hockey Canada\u2019s radar with a breakout 2025-26 season<\/a> for the Kamloops Blazers of the Western Hockey League (WHL).<\/p>\n \u201cI think he\u2019s grown in confidence,\u201d says Canada\u2019s goaltending coach Dan De Palma, who is also part of Kamloops\u2019 WHL coaching staff, which has given him a front row seat to Lafreniere\u2019s development.<\/p>\n \u201cObviously he\u2019s always been a talented guy, but as they get a little bit older and stronger, everything gets a little harder and faster, and I think that\u2019s always been Tommy. When Tommy commits to being hard and fast and committed all over the ice, he can be an impact in a game. That\u2019s what we\u2019ve found with him back (in Kamloops) and I thought he did a good job with that here.\u201d<\/p>\n Lafreniere is off to Western Michigan University and like Cameron, his performance over the first part of the season will be crucial to his chances of playing at World Juniors 2027.<\/p>\n Hockey Canada and the USA Hockey are likely to unveil their respective World Junior Training Camp rosters in early December.<\/p>\n Free Newsletter<\/p>\n \n Get Edmonton Oilers coverage delivered to your inbox <\/p>\n In-depth analysis, breaking news, and insider takes – free.<\/p>\n![\"Asher](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Asher-Barnett-USA-1200x812.jpg\")
Asher Barnett, Team USA (Rena Laverty \/ USA Hockey\u2019s NTDP)<\/p>\n![\"Tommy](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Tommy-Lafreniere-Blazers-1200x800.jpg\")
Tommy Lafreniere, Kamloops Blazers (Photo credit: Rembrant Rivas Photography)<\/p>\n