Lacombe’s Daxon Rudolph invited to Canada’s World Junior Summer Showcase

Jul 24, 2026 | 2:54 PM

Hockey Canada has invited Lacombe’s Daxon Rudolph to it’s 2026 World Junior Summer Showcase.

The 18-year-old defenceman will be among 32 other invitees who will compete for a roster spot during the seven-day camp in Windsor, Ont.

The camp, which is set for July 26 to Aug. 1, will help Hockey Canada management decide whom to select for the final roster for the 2027 IIHF World Junior Championship in Edmonton and Red Deer next December.

“We’re excited to announce the 32 players who will attend the World Junior Summer Showcase in Windsor as we begin our preparation for the 2027 IIHF World Junior Championship,” said Millar. “This is an important opportunity for our staff to evaluate a talented group of players against top international competition while continuing to build our identity as a team. We’re looking forward to seeing this group compete and bringing this showcase to Windsor in front of passionate Canadian hockey fans.”

Following a couple days of practice, Team Canada will take on Sweden on July 29, Finland on July 30 and the United States on Aug. 1 in a series of exhibition matches.

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Every game at the World Junior Summer Showcase will be livestreamed at HNLive.ca. However, a subscription is needed.

In just his second Western Hockey League season, Rudolph solidified himself as one of the best defencemen in the league, scoring 28 goals and 50 assists for 78 points in 68 games with the Prince Albert Raiders.

He added 27 points in 19 playoff games before falling to the Everett Silvertips in the WHL Finals in five games.

At the beginning of June, news broke that Rudolph committed to the University of Denver to play Division I hockey in the NCAA next season.

With the move, he’ll join the defending NCAA men’s hockey champions next season.

On June 26, he was selected fourth overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft.

Rudolph was the first defenceman to be taken off the board in the draft, which was held in Buffalo, NY.

The full list of invitees can be found here.

by Ian Gustafson

Lacombe’s Daxon Rudolph invited to Canada’s World Junior Summer Showcase

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