As always Canada enters the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup as huge favorites. Canada has won 24 of the 31 summer U18 tournaments that it has participated in, including last year when it defeated host Czechia 3-2 in overtime in Břeclav. Michael Misa, one of the top picks projected for the 2025 NHL Entry Draft was the only U17 player on last year’s team but will miss this year due to an injury.
This year’s team does, however, include top prospects Matthew Schaefer, Caleb Desnoyers, Cole Reschny, Jake O’Brien and Jackson Smith. It also includes Gavin McKenna of the Medicine Hat Tigers, a late-2007-born player who had 20 points in seven games at the IIHF U18 World Championship and is the early favorite to be the top pick of the 2026 Draft.
In a pair of pre-tournament games, Canada routed Slovakia 10-1 before losing to Czechia 6-4. Canada opens this year’s tournament at home in Edmonton on Monday against Switzerland, followed by group games against Slovakia and Sweden.
Goaltenders (2): Jack Ivankovic (Brampton, OHL), Lucas Beckman (Baie-Comeau, QMJHL).
Defensemen (7): Jackson Smith (Tri-City, WHL), Peyton Kettles (Swift Current, WHL), Matthew Schaefer (Erie, OHL), Reese Hamilton (Calgary, WHL), Quinn Beauchesne (Guelph, OHL), Alex Huang (Chicoutimi, QMJHL), Cameron Reid (Kitchener, OHL).
Forwards (13): Gavin McKenna (Medicine Hat, WHL), Jake O’Brien (Brantford, OHL), Brady Martin (Sault Ste. Marie, OHL), Émile Guité (Chicoutimi, QMJHL), Tyler Hopkins (Kingston, OHL), Cole Reschny (Victoria, WHL), Ethan Czata (Niagara, OHL), Benjamin Kindel (Calgary, WHL), Cameron Schmidt (Vancouver, WHL), Liam Kilfoil (Halifax, QMJHL), Luca Romano (Kitchener, OHL), Caleb Desnoyers (Moncton, QMJHL), Braeden Cootes (Seattle, WHL).
Head Coach: Kris Malette. Assistant Coaches: Gordie Dwyer, Ryan Oulahen.
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