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Looking to the Future

Kings Prospects Stand Out for USA at 2024 World Junior Summer Showcase

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The 2024 World Junior Summer Showcase wrapped up on Saturday and did so in dramatic fashion. As Zach Dooley noted in the pre-showcase piece last Sunday, the Kings had four prospects participating, three representing Team USA and one representing Team Canada.

Team USA
Hampton Slukynsky, G (2023 fourth-round selection, 118th overall)
Matthew Mania, D (2023 fifth-round selection, 150th overall)
James “Jay” Reeder, RW (2024 seventh-round selection, 198th overall)

Team Canada
Carter George (2024 second-round selection, 57th overall)

Following up one of the best seasons from a goalie in USHL history, Slukynsky had another promising showing across the week-long showcase. Slukynsky began the week on Team USA Blue and helped his team to a pair of wins in as many games. The 6–1, 179-pound Warroad, Minnesota native split time with his fellow American goalie counterparts in his first two appearances that resulted in wins over Finland and Sweden. Following the weekday showings, Slukynsky was then selected as the starting goalie for Team USA when USA Blue and USA White merged together for their final tilt versus Team Canada. In the showcase’s last game, Slukynsky made 34 saves in regulation and overtime and pushed the game to a shootout. There, Slukynsky stopped five of the six attempts to defeat the Canadians. In total, Slukynsky made 54 saves on 61 shots and went undefeated during the showcase.

The Kings’ two skaters for the red, white and blue, Mania and Reeder, played for Team USA White. Also going undefeated before USA switched up their rosters, the duo helped to knock off Finland (3-2) and Sweden (2-1). In their first game of the showcase, USA trailed Finland 2-1 entering the third period. An American goal from Cole Hutson midway through the final 20 minutes evened the score and set the stage for some late drama. The game remained tied entering the final minute of regulation. Reeder gathered a loose puck in the high slot and hammered a snapshot past the Finnish netminder for the game-winning goal with 59 seconds remaining in the game.

Both Mania and Reeder appeared in a third game, with the blueliner suiting up against Sweden and the attacker showcasing himself on the opposing side of Finland. Both went without points and lost their respective third games, but each looked good and had chances in the contests.

The Kings fourth showcase attendee George was present, but did not play appear in any of Canada’s games.

Final Stat Lines
Hampton Slukynsky 3 GP — 2 starts — 2-0-0, 54 saves
James “Jay” Reeder: 3 GP — 1-0=1
Matthew Mania: 3 GP — 0-0=0

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