Three Tigers at world junior showcase
Trio of Tigers hoping to face off in IIHF World Junior Summer Showcase finale
The border battle has officially made its way into the Medicine Hat Tigers dressing room at the IIHF World Junior Summer Showcase in Plymouth, Mich.
Texan sniper Mason Shaw, Edmontonborn defenceman David Quenneville and Wainwright product Mason Shaw are all fighting to make the final cut for Saturday’s tournament-ending clash between the United States and Canada.
“Hopefully you’ll see Dave, Mason and I all there (Saturday), but we don’t know yet,” said Gerlach, who currently holds the bragging rights after USA White’s 8-2 win over Quenneville’s Canada Red on Tuesday. “It was great. I wouldn’t say it’s similar to a practice, but that’s the only time I get to compete against Dave. I’m not in a Canada-U.S. game every day so it was definitely something special for both of us.”
“It was awesome. I had to hold back the laughter in warm up,” added Quenneville, who answered with an assist in the second period. “It was really weird lining up against him but it was a really cool experience for both of us.”
The Summer Showcase opens with two American teams and two Canadian teams before each country is forced to play with a single, rotating roster. Gerlach made the cuts to compete with Team USA in Wednesday’s 3-2 win over Sweden, while Quenneville played with Team Canada in a 6-5 overtime win against Finland and Shaw will play Friday when Team Canada drops the puck against Sweden.
While Shaw has yet to play in a game with either of his Tabby teammates, he’s been quietly making his mark entering the final two games of the tournament. The 18-year-old playmaker registered an assist in Canada White’s 2-1 win over USA Blue on Tuesday and will suit up for Friday’s game against Sweden. As for Saturday, he’ll have to wait and see.
“I think that’ll be a combination of the two teams, but it’s up to the coaching staff,” said Shaw. “They might want to see some guys a little bit more, but the more games I play in the better.”
Shaw was drafted by the Minnesota Wild in the fourth round of June’s NHL entry draft at 97th overall. While it’s caused for an incredibly busy off-season with prospects camp, the showcase and an upcoming fall camp in Minnesota, Shaw says its exactly what he signed up for.
“I think I’ve been on airplanes more often than I’ve been at home this summer, but if things were going to work out that’s how I wanted my summer to be,” he said. “Hockey-wise it’s been pretty high pace for summer, but it’s been enjoyable.”
Quenneville competed on Team Canada’s main squad in Wednesday’s 6-5 overtime win against Finland and will wait before finding out if he’ll get a chance to exact some revenge on Gerlach and Team USA.
The 19-year-old New York Islanders draft pick watched his brother, John Quenneville, pull the red and white sweater over his shoulders and lace up his skates with Team Canada at the 2016 World Junior Championship. Quenneville says the experience was one he’ll never forget, and a favour he hopes to return to his brother this Boxing Day.
“That would be unbelievable. The stories he had when he came back after representing his country at the highest level like that at the world juniors, and being a teenager, it’s so special,” he said. “For me, it’s the biggest hockey event in the world and it would be an honour for sure.”
While Gerlach is the only undrafted Tiger at the showcase, he’s been taking it by storm. After netting three goals and adding an assist through his first three games with USA White — good enough for second in tournament scoring behind Buffalo Sabres draft pick Casey Middlestadt — Gerlach made the next cut as one of just two WHL players invited to compete with the stars and stripes at the showcase, alongside Spokane Chiefs forward Kailer Yamamoto.
“To be in a little grouping with him and be representing the WHL for the Americans is definitely something special,” said Gerlach. “He’s definitely one of the elite players in our league.”
It’s been a fruitful off-season for the 19year-old forward. While he went overlooked at the draft for a second year, Gerlach earned an invitation to Arizona Coyotes prospects camp in July and was invited back to take part in the franchise’s fall camp. For now, he’s hoping a strong finish at the showcase will help earn him a red white and blue jersey for Christmas.
“Just to be here in the first place is amazing, there are so many great players here. To make it through the cuts today definitely gave me some confidence,” said Gerlach, adding when Shaw told him he was invited to the showcase, he didn’t initially believe it. “Getting the opportunity to come here has been amazing and having a little bit of confidence, making it through some cuts and competing with these players and doing well on my part and winning some games, it’s a very special feeling.”