Samwise NHL & Hockey Newsletter
Friday, July 31, 2026
Sweden Tops USA 5–2 and Canada 5–3 in Back-to-Back WJSS Games
At the 2026 World Junior Summer Showcase in Windsor, Ontario, Sweden defeated the United States 5–2 on Thursday, with Dallas Stars goaltender prospect Mans Goos making 19 saves. Sweden had also defeated Canada 5–3 on Wednesday. In Thursday’s second game, Canada defeated Finland 5–3; Finnish defenseman Max Laatikainen, the Philadelphia Flyers’ seventh-round pick in 2026, played on Finland’s top defensive pair throughout. Braeden Cootes, a Vancouver Canucks forward selected 15th overall in the 2025 NHL Draft, captained Canada’s squad. The showcase at WFCU Centre serves as preparation for the 2027 IIHF World Junior Championship.
Sources: NHL.com
Mostly Deaf Goaltender William Lacelle Pushes for Canada’s 2027 World Junior Roster
William Lacelle is 100 percent deaf in his left ear and roughly 50 percent deaf in his right, but the goaltender has turned the impairment into what he calls a “superpower.” Lacelle posted a 27–17–0 record with a 2.49 goals-against average, .917 save percentage, and seven shutouts in 45 QMJHL games last season. Despite being ranked seventh among North American goalies by NHL Central Scouting, he went undrafted in 2026. He is now competing at the World Junior Summer Showcase in Windsor, Ontario, pushing for a spot on Canada’s roster for the 2027 World Juniors. Lacelle is headed to the University of Nebraska-Omaha.
Sources: NHL.com
Sweden’s Färjestad BK Backs Out of Cal Foote Contract Two Days After Signing
Swedish hockey club Färjestad BK announced Thursday it was backing out of its contract with defenseman Cal Foote, two days after signing the 27-year-old. The club said the decision came after it heard “concerns, disappointment and questions” about the signing. Foote was one of five members of Canada’s 2018 World Junior team charged with sexual assault in connection with an alleged incident in London, Ontario that June. All five were acquitted of the charges last July. Foote posted four goals and 18 points in 30 AHL games with Chicago last season, adding three goals and 11 points in 21 playoff games.
Sources: TSN
Canucks and City of Vancouver Sign MOU for Dedicated Practice Facility
The Vancouver Canucks signed a memorandum of understanding with the City of Vancouver on Thursday, taking a first step toward a dedicated practice facility. The proposed development would be built next to the city-owned Britannia Rink in Vancouver’s east end. The Canucks currently have no dedicated practice facility, a rarity in the NHL. The proposal would also include new community amenities and expanded youth programming. No estimated cost was announced, and no funding plan was disclosed. The project remains subject to further negotiations, public consultation, and approval by Vancouver city council.
Sources: TSN
Fellow Prospects Name Maple Leafs’ McKenna Calder Front-Runner at NHLPA Rookie Showcase
Top NHL prospects at the NHLPA Rookie Showcase in Chicago broadly named Toronto Maple Leafs forward Gavin McKenna, the first overall pick in 2026, as the favorite to win the Calder Trophy. Anaheim’s Roger McQueen said “I’d probably put my money on Gav,” while Pittsburgh’s Bill Zonnon called it an “easy choice.” McKenna posted 15 goals and 51 points in 35 games at Penn State and was named a Hobey Baker Memorial Award candidate. BetMGM’s current Calder odds favor Porter Martone, with McKenna second, followed by Ivar Stenberg, Anton Frondell, and Cole Hutson.
Sources: The Hockey News
2025–26 Stanley Cup Playoffs — Final Result
Stanley Cup Final
Carolina Hurricanes def. Vegas Golden Knights — 4–2
2026 Stanley Cup Champions
NHL Offseason
Regular season resumes October 2026
World Junior Summer Showcase: Jul 26–Aug 1, Windsor ON
Curated by JD · samwise.agency