After countless setbacks, USA Hockey has decided to cancel this year’s World Junior Summer Showcase. The event was scheduled to be held from July 24-31 in Plymouth, Michigan, and is normally comprised of the best junior-aged prospects from around the world. Unfortunately, due to the coronavirus outbreak, Canada, Finland, and Sweden had already pulled out of the tournament. USA Hockey was trying to stage it with only American-born junior players, but have now decided to cancel the entire event. U.S. National Junior Team GM John Vanbiesbrouck released a statement on the decision:
We’re disappointed on many fronts, but thought it was in the best interest of everyone involved to not hold the event. Regardless, we’re excited about the level of talent in our country and look forward to putting a team together that can compete for the gold medal. We’ll continue to look at all options to get our players and staff together ahead of selecting our team.
The 43-player roster that had been previously announced will now have to hope they are selected for the World Junior tournament without a first-hand impression. Recently, reports had surfaced that three of those players had tested positive for COVID-19. The release from USA Hockey does not indicate that was the reason for the cancelation.
Amazing JVB hasn’t had to step down.
And why would JVB have to step down?
link to colorofhockey.com
Oh, so because JVB once said something politically incorrect he should be forbidden from further involvement in hockey. Hope you can live up to the same standard you judge others by.
Whoa there, Gbear.
I’ve got too many skeletons in my closet to judge anyone. Just surprised he hasn’t had to step down with all that has been going on.