Sweden and the United States each revealed their rosters for the upcoming 2025 World Junior Summer Showcase on Wednesday, but, curiously, only one New Jersey Devils prospect was featured.
USA Hockey extended invites to 42 total players, including 23 forwards, for the Summer Showcase, and new Devils prospect Conrad Fondrk, drafted 50th overall in the 2025 NHL Draft, was a notable omission from the group.
Eight players selected after Fondrk, including fellow Devils prospect Ben Kevan, were named to the roster instead. Among those eight is Edmonton Oilers prospect Aidan Park, who went somewhat viral for attending Day 2 of the draft in street clothes as a spectator, only to hear his name called by Edmonton with the 223rd overall pick in the seventh round.
Kevan, drafted 63rd overall by the Devils in the second round, isn't necessarily a surprise inclusion, but it should be noted that he produced only two goals and an assist in the bronze medal campaign for the U.S. at the 2025 Men's U18 World Junior Championships. Kevan played more than 10 minutes of ice time in just three of his seven appearances in the tournament.
Fondrk, on the other hand, wasn't even included for the World Juniors and is once again left out - perhaps harshly so after missing parts of the 2024-25 season due to injuries. The Boston University commit last represented Team USA in 2023 for the U17 World Hockey Challenge. However, he has been dealing with a broken fibula and may not be healthy enough for the showcase. Still, similar to development camp, he's earned at least an invite.
The 18-year-old finished 10th overall in the tournament in scoring with his two goals, six assists, and eight points in seven games. Boston Bruins center prospect William Moore (5-7-12) was the only USA forward with more points than Fondrk in the competition, but it's Fondrk who ultimately misses out on the Summer Showcase this year.
Finland hasn't released its roster yet, so the Devils could still see prospects like Kasper Pikkarainen and Veeti Louhivaara join the fold. Both were invited to join the Finnish team at last year's Summer Showcase.
For now, though, the Devils have one prospect who earned a place in Kevan and one who was harshly snubbed in Fondrk.