Carter Sanderson shines at 2026 World Junior Summer Showcase

Carter Sanderson, a sixth round pick of the Penguins in 2025, is a victim of the numbers game to not merit inclusion in our ongoing Pensburgh Top 25 Under 25 series this year. Sanderson is still 18 years old, had OK but unremarkable production in the USHL (was fifth on his team with 34 points in 54 games) and far off the radar for now.

That might be changing in the World Junior Summer Showcase. Sanderson has been one of the USA's most visible players in the summer event. He scored a hat trick against Sweden on Sunday for the USA's blue team and added an empty net goal in the second and final game.