2024 NHL Draft Eligibles to Watch at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup

The 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup began Monday, featuring a ton of talent eligible for the 2024 NHL draft. Tony Ferrari breaks down who to watch.

The Hlinka Gretzky Cup is the unofficial kick-off of the draft season as many of the top talents from around the world gather for an under-18 tournament in early August. It’s a similar tournament to the World Men's Under-18 Championship held in late April, but instead of capping off many players' seasons, it helps them ramp up and get ready for their year.

One major difference between the two tournaments is how Canada and the United States look roster-wise. The Americans send their best players not from the USA Hockey National Team Development Program to the Hlinka, which is often viewed as their ‘B’ team at the U-18 level. They save their NTDP squad for the U-18s in the spring. The Canadians, on the other hand, send their best group of players to the tournament to get them ready for the season. At the U-18s, many of Canada’s best players are still in the CHL playoffs so they aren’t able to participate.

Simply put, the Hlinka is where Canada seems to put their focus while the Americans celebrate the World Under-18s. Finland, Sweden, Czechia, Slovakia, and the rest of the competing nations at these tournaments put their best foot forward at both tournaments with a lot of carryover from the Hlinka to the U-18s.

The 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup is now underway from July 31 to Aug. 5 in Breclav, Czechia, and Trencin, Slovakia. It's the perfect time to look at the top 2024 NHL draft-eligible talents from around the tournament.

A strong puck-mover who plays in all situations and can log heavy minutes, Mews was a bigger contributor to the powerhouse Ottawa 67's than expected last season. He has an impressive ability to understand when and when not to get involved offensively to ensure he’s in position defensively. Mews has incredible vision and times his passes perfectly in transition and the offensive zone. He consistently looks to make the right play and remain dynamic, blending high skill and reliability in a way NHL teams will love.

The big winger is a big-time finisher who led OHL rookies in goals last year. Greentree started the tournament lower in the lineup, but if any player is poised to jump up the lineup, it could be him. He scores from all over the ice, whether from distance with a pull-and-drag shot or a cheeky move in tight to beat a netminder. He has good hands, and while his skating isn’t electric, he can keep up with top players.

He is the younger brother of Columbus Blue Jackets top prospect David Jiricek and plays the same aggressive, involved hockey style. The younger Jiricek is a very good skater with the mindset to push the puck up ice but won’t shy away from taking a skating lane if it’s there. He has a big package of physical tools, and although he isn’t quite as big as his brother, he is willing to get involved physically. He is a bit more of a refined off-puck defender than his brother was at the same age but isn’t quite as effective with the puck as of yet, though the traits are enough to provide flashes of what could be.

A distant relative of Detroit Red Wings legend Henrik Zetterberg, Alexander is a skilled undersized forward who should be a difference-maker on this year’s Swedish U-18 squad throughout the year. He plays with vigor and pace, looking to make a difference with every puck touch. At just 5-foot-8, he must avoid getting pushed around, but he’s excelled in junior hockey for years. The shiftiness and puck skill allow him to open space up for himself, and his vision and center-focused attack help him generate plenty of offense.

A returnee from last year’s squad, Muhonen is a massive defender who plays within the Finnish system as well as anyone. He understands spacing and lane elimination in the defensive zone, using his stick to disrupt play and throwing his body around when needed. With top defenders Aron Kiviharju (at the World Juniors Summer Showcase) and Veeti Vaisanen (undisclosed) not playing for the Finns' Hlinka team, Muhonen will be asked to take on a bigger role and could be one of their biggest minute munchers.

With some experience in the Liiga already under his belt, Vesterinen will be one of the Finns' more important forwards at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. He has historically put up solid numbers at international events for his nation. The 5-foot-9 forward has a good shot and gets around the net with regularity. He is quick in and out of traffic and loves to turn and fire a pass to the net front. He needs to pick and choose his spots a bit better at times, but Vesterinen should be among Finland’s top players.

One of the highly productive forwards we have seen in the USHL for a draft-minus-one player, Mac Swanson has the ability to be the best American at this Hlinka tournament. His vision is nearly unmatched on the American team, and his precise passing makes him lethal with the puck. While he will likely be one of the Americans' most productive forwards, there’s a chance he will also be one of the most entertaining players in the whole tournament.

After a strong season at Shattuck St. Marys this past season, Zellers is looking to put his name on the map for the upcoming draft. He is one of the Amercians' more skilled forwards, and while he leans more towards the playmaking side, he has a very good shot and can be relied upon as a finisher. Zellers is a smart and instinctual player who will read and react to what defenders give him. This should be an excellent opportunity to put his best foot forward as a draft prospect.

As one of the few bright spots at last year’s U-18s for Switzerland, Ustinkov will lead and contribute at both ends of the ice as he leads the 2006-born group. He isn’t an offensive defenseman by nature, but when asked to take on the role, he has shown to be more than capable. He is a two-way transitional blueliner who could do himself wonders by having a good Hlinka.