Penguins 11th Overall Pick Ben Kindel Snubbed by Team Canada at Summer Showcase

Earlier this week, Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Ben Kindel was named in the Team Canada White vs. Red scrimmage matchup on the second line, with many seeing his speed and his skill as essential for Team Canada's World Juniors squad.

However, he's now been dealt a major blow, as it has been reported by Penguins Insider Kelsey Surmacz that Kindel will miss the first game of the Summer Showcase against Finland, being named one of many healthy scratches.

While this may come as a surprise to some, the wing position is one of the most competitive at the World Juniors camp for Canada, with the likes of Gavin McKenna, Michael Spence, Porter Martone, Justin Carbonneau, Cayden Lindstrom, Michael Hage and Cal Ritchie all taking up those roles.

As for Penguins top defensive prospect Harrison Brunicke, he will remain on the top pairing alongside No. 1 overall pick Matthew Schaefer, and while there's a chance he could push for an NHL spot this season, as of right now, signs are pointing to him being a key piece of this blue line for Team Canada at the World Juniors.

Ultimately, it's likely that Kindel will get a chance at some point to show what he can do, but given how star studded the wing position is for Team Canada, this shouldn't be the biggest surprise, but if he does get in, expect to see the Penguins No. 11 overall pick make some significant noise.