A recent Edmonton Oilers draft pick is looking to make his mark on the international stage for the first time.

Tommy Lafrenière, drafted 83rd overall by the Oilers in 2025, is one of 18 forwards representing Canada at this year’s World Junior Summer Showcase in Windsor, Ont.

“I just want to show my game, show what I can do,” he told TSN’s Mark Masters. “I’m here for a reason. I’m super excited to be here, so I’ll just push as hard as I can and do what I can.”

Lafrenière is coming off an excellent campaign with the Kamloops Blazers, in which he increased his point total by 21 from the previous season. While he has never played for Team Canada at a major tournament, Lafrenière believes his recent improvements will impress Hockey Canada brass — especially the adjustments he’s made defensively.

“I’m a 200-foot player. I like to play fast, and I’m an honest player,” he said. “I think my defensive game has taken a big step. It’s been something I’ve been working on with my coaches quite a bit, and in the past year it’s gone up quite a bit … just being more aware and not cheating hockey, playing the right way.”

The summer showcase may be a set of exhibition games, but according to Lafrenière, the team is already focused, with their eyes on gold this winter.

“We’re super excited. I think we’re focused on one thing, and that’s winning gold. We’re going to start here at the showcase and show what we can do. And I think it’s going to be a good week.”

Like most young hockey players in Canada, Lafrenière grew up watching the World Juniors, dreaming about one day playing in the tournament.

“Just seeing guys left and right getting drafted and going to play in the World Juniors, and just watching them and hoping to be there one day. It was always pretty cool to watch, and to see Canada win gold was one of my favourite things ever.”

This year’s World Juniors will be hosted by Edmonton, a place that’s become familiar to Lafrenière, having been drafted by the Oilers a year ago. If he makes the team, he could end up battling fellow Oilers prospects Asher Barnett and Ryan Cameron, who are currently representing Team USA at the summer showcase.

Edmonton recently hosted the World Juniors in 2021 and 2022; however, both tournaments were derailed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2021 edition was played without fans, as Canada won a silver medal in an empty, cavernous Rogers Place. In 2022, the tournament was rescheduled to mid-August, which eroded fan support until the gold medal game, where Canada defeated Finland in an overtime thriller. This time, Edmonton should finally get a proper World Junior experience.

“I’m a little bit familiar with the area, so that rink is pretty awesome, and I think the energy is going to be pretty electric,” said Lafrenière. “They seem extremely passionate. They want their team to win. It’s a pretty cool atmosphere over there.”

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