Nashville Predators forward prospects Brendan Leipsic and Jimmy Vesey, both third round picks in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, have been named to National Team rosters for upcoming international showcases this summer. Leipsic is one of 15 forwards named to Team Canada for the Canada/Russia Challenge from August 9-14. Vesey has been named to Team USA's Junior Evaluation Camp from August 4-11, which features a round-robin tournament against the junior national teams from Sweden and Finland. Team Finland and Team Sweden have not yet released their rosters for the tournament, but several Preds prospects are among consideration for both teams.

The 2012 Canada/Russia Challenge will see Canada and Russia’s national junior programs face off in four games, two in Russia and two in Canada, to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the 1972 Summit Series. The series will open with back-to-back games in Yaroslavl, Russia on August 9 and 10 before the teams fly to Canada for games in Halifax, Nova Scotia on August 13 and 14.

The U.S. Junior Evaluation camp traditionally holds heavy importance in the World Junior Championship selection, with a heavy schedule of practices and intra-squad games, followed by a round-robin tournament between Team USA, Team Finland, and Team Sweden.