It’s never too early for World Junior Classic hype, and that’s just what we’re getting as the World Junior Summer Showcase is underway at Ridder Arena on the campus of the University of Minnesota.

Team USA has a blue and white team competing, with the blue team starting off the action earlier today against Finland.

Isles’ prospects at the WJC Summer Showcase

NY Islanders prospect Kamil Bednarik centered the Americans’ top line, centering Trevor Connelly (Vegas Golden Knights) and LJ Mooney (Montreal Canadiens).

The Americans trailed early into the third period, after Finland took a 2-1 lead 03:46 into the final stanza. Just 42 seconds later, Bednarik knotted the game at two, deflecting a puck in front of the crease off a shot from defenseman Luke Osburn (Buffalo Sabres). The USA ultimately fell to the Finns, 3-2.

Isles seventh-round pick in this year’s draft, Jacob Kvasnicka, who many believe could be looked at as a steal in the future, played for Team USA White in the later game against Sweden.

Trailing by one in the first period, Dakoda Rheaume-Mullen rushed down the left-hand side, finding Kvasnicka in front of the net, where he was able to redirect the puck past the netminder.

Along with the Islanders’ prospects representing the USA, Canada will also have two Isles prospects, Matthew Schaefer and Kashawen Aitcheson, getting some ice time.

Like the US teams, Canada will also have two teams participating, with Schaefer and Aitcheson both skating for Team Black. As the current lines stand, Schaefer is on the top defensive pairing with Henry Mews (Calgary Flames), while Aitcheson is on the second pairing alongside Charlie Elick (Columbus Blue Jackets).

The two Canadian teams will face one another tomorrow, and the USA and Canada will have their battle on Saturday.