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How did Ang, Gildon, Inamoto and Tippett fare at the World Junior Summer Showcase?

A look at the quartet of Panthers prospects in their pursuit of a spot in the 2018 WJC.

The Florida Panthers had four prospects, Jonathan Ang, Max Gildon, Tyler Inamoto and Owen Tippett, participate in the recently concluded World Junior Summer Showcase in Plymouth, MI.

Unfortunately, the injury bug bit Tippett and Inamoto, costing them valuable playing time.

Let’s take a look at what the quartet accomplished during their short stints with Team USA and Team Canada.

Jonathan Ang

2 GP, 1 G, 1 A, 2 SOG, Even

Florida’s fourth-round pick in 2016 didn’t see any action in either of Canada’s two split-squad games against split-squads from the United States. He did play in two straight tilts once Canada pared things down to a single roster.

Ang contributed an assist, registered one shot on goal and finished with a +1 rating in Canada’s 6-5 overtime win over Finland.

He scored a nice goal on his only shot and finished with a -1 rating in Canada’s 7-4 win over Sweden.

Ang did not suit up in the tournament finale versus a full-strength Team USA.

TSN released its projected Canadian roster for the 2018 World Junior Championship this morning and Ang wasn’t on it. But, I would expect him to get an invite to camp and get another chance to possibly play his way into the lineup.

Max Gildon

3 GP, 1 G, 1 A, 4 SOG, +3

Gildon played in all three split-squad games for Team USA Blue. Unfortunately, he did not make the cut when the Americans sent players home and went to a single roster.

The Panthers’ third-rounder in 2017 finished with a +2 rating and one shot on goal in USA Blue’s 4-3 win over Sweden.

He scored a goal, registered three shots and went +1 in a 4-1 victory over Finland.

In his final game, Gildon finished with an even rating in a 2-1 loss to Canada White.

The tall Texan doesn’t look to have much of a chance to make the team in December, but might have put himself in the mix for 2019 with solid performances in his three outings.

Tyler Inamoto

1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 SOG, +1

Inamoto suited up for one game for USA White, a 4-2 win over Finland, and posted a +1 rating before leaving the game with an injury. The defenseman was sent back to Madison, WI to recuperate and ready himself for the upcoming NCAA season.

Owen Tippett

1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 SOG, Even

LIke Inamoto, Tippett was injured in his only appearance for Canada White, an 8-2 loss to USA White. Florida’s first-rounder in 2017 took a high hit from American Grant Mismash and was taken out of the game for precautionary reasons.

As long as Tippett is healthy, and not playing full-time for the Panthers, I would expect him to get an invite to Canada’s pre-tournament training camp. A sniper of  the caliber of Tippett is sure to be in the mix.

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