University of Massachusets Athletics
Nycz Invited To 2026 World Junior Summer Showcase With USA Hockey
June 30, 2026 | Hockey
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – University of Massachusetts hockey rising sophomore Landon Nycz is one of 47 players, one of 16 defensemen, invited by USA hockey to participate in the 2026 World Junior Summer Showcase. Competition is set for July 26-August 1 at WFCU Centre in Windsor, Ontario.
The World Junior Summer Showcase, which will include teams from Canada, Finland and Sweden, serves as an evaluation for athletes seeking to make their respective national teams for the 2027 IIHF World Junior Championship, which will be held Dec. 26, 2026, through Jan. 5, 2027, in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta.
The week-long World Junior Summer Showcase will include 10 international games. The 47 U.S. players will first be split into two teams: Team Blue and Team White, with each team playing games on July 26 and 27. Beginning on July 29 against Sweden, a consolidated Team USA roster will play the remaining three contests of the event.
Nycz, who was recently selected by the St. Louis Blues in the fourth round (107th overall) in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, appeared in 35 of 36 games and recorded three points on a goal and two assists as a rookie for the Minutemen in 2025-26. The Detroit, Michigan native blocked 16 shots for a defense that finished ninth nationally in allowing just 2.31 goals per game.
Prior to UMass, Nycz spent two seasons playing for the Waterloo Black Hawks and the Sioux City Musketeers, seeing action in 112 USHL games and recording 41 points on nine goals and 32 assists. In 2024-25 with Sioux City, he logged 10 points (3g, 7a) in 25 games. Nycz played 2022-23 with the Oakland Jr. Grizzlies at the 15U level. He also was a member of Compuware 14U AAA and Victory Honda 13U AAA.
The World Junior Summer Showcase, which will include teams from Canada, Finland and Sweden, serves as an evaluation for athletes seeking to make their respective national teams for the 2027 IIHF World Junior Championship, which will be held Dec. 26, 2026, through Jan. 5, 2027, in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta.
The week-long World Junior Summer Showcase will include 10 international games. The 47 U.S. players will first be split into two teams: Team Blue and Team White, with each team playing games on July 26 and 27. Beginning on July 29 against Sweden, a consolidated Team USA roster will play the remaining three contests of the event.
Nycz, who was recently selected by the St. Louis Blues in the fourth round (107th overall) in the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, appeared in 35 of 36 games and recorded three points on a goal and two assists as a rookie for the Minutemen in 2025-26. The Detroit, Michigan native blocked 16 shots for a defense that finished ninth nationally in allowing just 2.31 goals per game.
Prior to UMass, Nycz spent two seasons playing for the Waterloo Black Hawks and the Sioux City Musketeers, seeing action in 112 USHL games and recording 41 points on nine goals and 32 assists. In 2024-25 with Sioux City, he logged 10 points (3g, 7a) in 25 games. Nycz played 2022-23 with the Oakland Jr. Grizzlies at the 15U level. He also was a member of Compuware 14U AAA and Victory Honda 13U AAA.
Players Mentioned
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