CAMROSE – Even when he’s suiting up for USA Hockey, home is never truly far away for Finn McLaughlin.
The 18-year-old two-way defenceman will participate in the upcoming 2024 World Junior A Challenge from Dec. 9-15 in Camrose, Alberta, after being selected to USA’s 22-player roster.
McLaughlin, a dual citizen who grew up in Canmore, has spent most of the past four years developing his game south of the border – and the Stars and Stripes have taken notice with selections to USA's Five Nations squad in 2022 and then last year in Hlinka Gretzky.
But the Albertan in McLaughlin is thrilled to suit up for the latest international tournament that’s in his home province, no less.
“It would be really cool to go see different countries and stuff but it’s nice being close to home,” McLaughlin said. “My family, parents, grandparents, are all coming to the games so they’re all really excited for it.”
This year’s Junior A Challenge will be a four-team format played between Canada East, Canada West, Sweden and the United States. It’s an opportunity for the top Junior A players to showcase their stuff and get noticed by scouts.
Known for having a high hockey IQ and an impressive offensive touch, the young defenceman from Canmore thinks a big role awaits him on Team USA.
“That’s the exciting part about these tournaments,” said McLaughlin. “It’s an opportunity to impress and show how much I’ve grown.”
The last time the Bow Valley was able to watch the teen live was during his one-season tenure with the Canmore Eagles in 2022-23 when he was 16 years old.
Lots has changed since then, says the blueliner, including a late growth spurt, which now lists him at six-foot-two and 200 lbs.
“I’m faster and I’m stronger than I was then,” said McLaughlin. “My defensive game has gotten a lot better, my shot’s gotten way better and my mobility and my hands with the puck, it just continues to grow.”
In his second season playing for the Fargo Force, last season’s Clark Cup champions of the United States Hockey League, McLaughlin has scored one goal and seven points, with a +8 rating.
Since it’s been a few years since his days in the AJHL, McLaughlin has got his eye on the Canada West game, which is made up of rosters from Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, northwestern Ontario and Michigan.
It’s a no-brainer he’s getting a little extra stoked for that game.
“A lot of my friends growing up, they’re still playing in the AJHL and those leagues, so it will be fun playing against them and obviously they’re kind of viewed as the home team too,” said McLaughlin. “Last year they beat USA in the semifinals, so there is a little chip on the shoulder with that as well going into it, so it’s going to be really fun playing against those guys.”
The tournament starts Dec. 9, with the USA taking on Canada East in the first preliminary game, followed by Sweden on Dec. 10 and Canada West on Dec. 12. The semifinals are on Dec. 14 and the gold and bronze medal games are on Dec. 15.
A full schedule can be found here.
