[Canada 02]

Potter excited for hometown World Juniors

Cullen Potter (Calgary Flames) has a bit more motivation than some of the other players here to make the United States' roster for the 2026 WJC.

The Minneapolis native grew up about 10 minutes from 3M Arena at Mariucci, which is the home of the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers, where some of the games of the tournament will be played. Games also will be played at Xcel Energy Center (soon to be Grand Casino Arena), the home of the Minnesota Wild.

"It would be super cool," Potter said. "Just growing up, watching all the tournaments before, all the moments, it'd be really cool just to be a part of it. And then to have it in your home state and your hometown, it would be really cool. Hopefully I can be on the team."

Potter hasn't been much of a tour guide during the WJSS, however.

"We're not out and about too much, just Chipotle and back pretty much, and the rink," he said. "So, not too much sightseeing."

Instead, the 18-year-old is focused on showing off his high-end offensive skill set, which helped him get 22 points (13 goals, nine assists) in 35 games as a freshman at Arizona State last season before being selected by the Flames with the No. 32 pick in the 2025 draft.

Potter scored his first goal in three games here in the United States' 6-3 loss to Sweden on Wednesday.

"Just using my strengths, which is speed and skill, always competing for the puck," Potter said. "Just going out there and bringing 100 percent every game."

Potter (5-foot-10, 172 pounds) said one of his goals for the rest of the offseason is to continue to add strength in his push to make the WJC roster and play a game in his hometown for the first time in several years.

"I've been out of state so much and everything like that, none of my friends have really been able to see me play very much," he said. "So, it'd be really cool for them to be able to finally make it out and see me play."

https://www.nhl.com/news/2025-world-...tebook-july-31