The Hlinka Gretzky Cup is just a day away pitting the best U-18 players in the world against one another. Amongst this group of talented youngsters, there are 14 in particular that fans should keep their eyes on.

The unofficial kick-off to the draft season every year seems to be the Hlinka Gretzky Cup as the top U-18 players from around the world (aside from the U.S. National Team Development Program), assemble and get their seasons started with a fantastic international tournament. It’s an event where Canada often dominates but there are always a few international standouts that make a name for themselves as they head into the biggest season of their lives.

This year, the top 2025 (and a few 2026) draft eligibles will take to the ice in Edmonton, Alberta for the HGC. This will be the first time many general hockey fans will get to see and hear about some of the future stars of the NHL. Let’s take a look at a few names to know for the tournament.

Gavin McKenna, LW, Canada

The top draft-eligible player for the 2026 NHL draft, McKenna has been a force of nature offensively everywhere that he’s played. He blew the doors off in the WHL last season with Medicine Hat, notching 97 points in 61 games. On a team with plenty of offensive talent and skill, McKenna was the catalyst more often than not, reading the ice at an elite level and firing passes through the smallest of windows while remaining a legitimate scoring threat on his own. When he went to the U-18s with Canada as a 16-year-old last year, he led the Canadians in scoring with 20 points in just seven games, helping them to the gold medal. McKenna should be the best player at this tournament and it likely won’t be close.

Matthew Schaefer, D, Canada

While his offensive numbers didn’t blow the doors off with Erie, Schaefer looked solid in his rookie year thanks to his advanced skating ability and excellent passing ability. Schaefer was an important member of the Canadian U-18 team in the spring as well, playing a sound two-way game. With a better roster around him on the Canadian team, Schaefer was a bit more capable of creating offense and driving play from the back end. The HGC could be a great start to Schaefer’s draft season where he will come into the year as one of the top defenders available.

Cole Reschny, C, Canada

An undersized forward who plays with some zip. His feet always seem to be moving and he reads the play quite well. Despite being 5-foot-10, he isn’t afraid to get around the net to find rebounds or collect loose pucks. Reschny was nearly a point-per-game producer at the WHL level last year on a team that didn’t always have the offensive support that could have made his playmaking even more dangerous.

Jack Ivankovic, G, Canada

Playing with Ryerson Leenders on the Mississauga Steelheads last year, he was part of the OHL’s youngest and best goalie tandem in the league. Ivankovic isn’t as big as most NHL teams would like their netminders to be but the No. 7 overall pick in the 2023 OHL draft was an instant impact player. Ivankovic reads the play well, has excellent lateral movement, and has great reflexes. He should be one of the top netminders at the tournament.

Cooper Simpson, LW, USA

He should be one of the most creative and entertaining players at the draft, with slick hands and excellent speed. Simpson will likely be one of the Americans' best play drivers on a team that really doesn’t have many players who can take on that role. With the best U-18 players from the USA all playing with the NTDP, the Americans always need someone to step up at the Hlinka and Simpson could be that player.

Ben Kevan, RW, USA

Along with Simpson, Kevan should be a force for the US squad. He was excellent in Des Moines at the USHL level, bringing true dual-threat ability. Pairing Kevan’s offensive creation with Simpson’s wicked skill and speed should make both of them more dangerous in all aspects of the game for the Americans.

Alexander Donovan, RW, USA

A standout at Shattuck St. Mary’s, Donovan could be the Americans' secret weapon at this tournament. He’s shown some impressive dual-threat scoring ability but his playmaking and relentless effort are where he brings the most value. Donovan can use his speed through the neutral zone to transport the puck up ice and spot a teammate on the backside. The Americans are going to need a couple of players to step up throughout the Hlinka and Donovan could certainly be one of them.

Jakob Ihs-Wozniak, RW, Sweden

Coming into the Hlinka, Ihs-Wozniak will be Sweden’s big anime prospect since Anton Frondell is out for the tournament. He has size, finishing ability, and sneaky skill that allows him to make some very impressive plays as a facilitator. He put up excellent numbers at the junior level in Sweden, producing at well over a point per game for the season, primarily as a 16-year-old. He will almost certainly be the driver of play offensively for the Swedes.

Love Harenstam, G, Sweden

Playing every minute of the U-18s for Sweden in the spring, Harenstam put his name on the map for this year’s NHL draft. He was stellar in the crease, showing off solid technique and some really good athleticism. He led the Swedes to bronze in the spring and will look to have an even better performance for the squad this time around, looking to get into the gold medal game. Harenstam could be the best netminder at the event.

Filip Ekberg, LW, Sweden

The opinions on Ekberg are wide-ranging with some believing that he relies too much on his pure skill and others thinking that his ability to create offensive chances, even at the pro level, are too good to pass up. The Hlinka will be an opportunity for the slightly undersized Swede to start his year strong and show that his offensive flair and skill are a strong base to build his game around.

Adam Benak, C, Czechia

If Benak was a few inches taller, he might honestly be in the conversation for the top of the 2025 draft class but at 5-foot-7, there’s a lot of risk when it comes to his NHL projection. He’s been consistently dominant at the Czech junior level for a few years now and played a good chunk of his year at the Czech men’s level last year. Benak is a quick, shifty center who has outstanding puckhandling ability. The Hlinka could be a big confidence builder for him before he heads to the USHL for the upcoming season.

Adam Novotny, LW/RW, Czechia

Eligible for the 2026 NHL draft, Novotny could reasonably be the Czech’s most dangerous offensive player. He has the size and skating ability to be the play driver for his line and his offensive game seems to add new layers all of the time. He was an elite producer at the U20 level in Czechia, scoring 32 goals in 48 games. With some experience at the men’s level already, Novotny will be a player to watch over the next couple of years.

Jan Chovan, C, Slovakia

With size and a good motor, Chovan should be one of the better players for the Slovaks. He is dynamically skilled with the puck which helps him create offensive chances, but there are times when he plays hero hockey, trying to do everything himself. If he can use his teammates properly and create chances for himself through them, Chovan could help Slovakia put together a good performance at the Hlinka.

Tomas Chrenko, C, Slovakia

He likely won’t be the star of the show but don’t be shocked if you hear his name quite a bit, especially when it comes to playing in the dirty areas. Chrenko gets in on the forecheck, works his tail off to get the puck back and then looks to get to the net. He’s an excellent complimentary player who can accentuate the strengths of the team’s best players.