Summer Hockey Surprises: Montour's Olympic Dream & Kraken's Rising Stars
Montour Joins Olympic Camp
It’s the height of August, and while most sports have receded into tranquility, hockey is anything but quiet. Kraken defenseman Brandon Montour has been invited to Team Canada’s National Team Orientation Camp, taking his first steps toward the prestigious Olympic Winter Games in 2026. With a career-high 18 goals last season, Montour’s performance at the 2025 IIHF Men’s World Championship has not gone unnoticed by Team Canada. During the camp, players will engage in team-building exercises and media opportunities, all eyes on a coveted Olympic roster spot.
“This is a great opportunity for Brandon,” said Kraken General Manager Jason Botterill, echoing the pride of both the team and the nation. Montour stands out, sharing the spotlight with other Canadian NHL stars aiming for Milan.
O’Brien Shines at the World Junior Showcase
Meanwhile, the World Junior Summer Showcase in Minneapolis starred some of hockey’s budding talent last week. Among them, Kraken’s 2025 first-round pick Jake O’Brien took center stage against Team USA with a goal and an assist, earning player-of-the-game honors in a resounding 6-2 victory. This showcase is a vital platform for young prospects from Canada, USA, Sweden, and Finland to make their marks on an international scale.
As stated in NHL.com, Seattle’s prospect enthusiasm didn’t stop there. 2024 third-round pick Kim Saarinen excelled in goal for Finland, and defenseman Blake Fiddler showed his mettle against Sweden, underscoring the depth of Seattle’s future.
A Brief Respite Before the Snowball Starts
After a bustling calendar culminated with the NHL Draft in Los Angeles, Kraken scouts are catching their breath before gearing up again for August’s features, including the U18 Hlinka-Gretzky Cup. It’s a short hiatus, though, with European leagues’ training camps and ongoing scouting efforts for new and seasoned prospects alike.
According to Robert Kron, Seattle’s director of amateur scouting, it’s a delicate balance between brief downtime and comprehensive strategic planning, preparing for the whirlwind of emerging hockey talent across continents.
Legacy of the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup
While some take a break, others dive headfirst into the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup starting mid-August in Czechia and Slovakia. This tournament, now co-hosted by Canada since 2018, honors hockey legends Ivan Hlinka and Wayne Gretzky. It serves as the unofficial launch of scouting efforts for the coming NHL Draft, gathering top young talent from around the globe.
This year’s players could potentially dominate next June’s draft, setting the stage for new hockey prodigies to emerge and make history.
Scandinavian Scouting Strategies
Back in Europe, Kraken’s Swedish-based scouts, including Axel Alavaara, Pelle Eklund, and Marcus Fingal, are strategizing as they look over local prospects. With a wealth of experience and a well-planned geographic spread across Sweden, Kraken scouts are equipped to catch early glimpses of the emerging stars destined to make waves in international hockey.
August may signal vacation for some, but in the world of hockey, it’s merely the next chapter. As teams build momentum into a fresh season, fans can expect much excitement from the rink’s summer stage.
