The 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup has come to a close with Canada coming out on top. Who were the biggest standout players from the tournament following its conclusion?

The Hlinka Gretzky Cup has come and gone with Canada taking down Czechia in the gold medal game just as they did last year. Canada scored twice in the first period courtesy of Liam Kilfoil and Caleb Desnoyers, holding Czechia in check from that point forward allowing just a late last-minute goal that broke their shutout. Canada was the tournament’s most dominant team and Czechia was a deserving challenger in the final.

Earlier in the day, the Swedes took down the U.S. for bronze in a game that came down to Sweden having the better netminder in Love Harenstam. Top prospect Jakob Ihs Wozniak had his best game of the tournament and Eric Nilsson capped off a hat trick with an empty netter. The Americans put together a good performance at the Hlinka but the talent gap between their roster and the Swedes was too much in the end.

With the medals handed out and the unofficial kick-off to the 2025 draft season now behind us, let’s take a look at some of the standout performers from the Hlinka Gretzky Cup as players head to training camp and start their seasons for their respective clubs across the globe.

Matthew Schaefer, D, Canada

Canada’s top defenseman was a force throughout the tournament. He showed exactly why he was the top pick in the OHL draft and why he will likely be a high pick in the upcoming NHL draft. His mobility is pristine and his ability to read the ice is elite. With those two traits being as high end as they are, he is able to be a force at both ends of the ice. He cuts play off and kills cycles defensively, rushes the puck up the ice and uses his teammates in transition, and then jumps into the play and blows by defenders to create offensive chances. Schaefer’s do-it-all ability and calm demeanor will have NHL teams looking at him as an impact player.

Jack Ivankovic, G, Canada

The performance that Ivankovic put together at the Hlinka will have NHL scouts looking at him as a possible top goalie prospect for the 2025 draft class. His ability to consistently square up shooters, read passes to get into position, his calm nature and ability to end play by absorbing the puck into his body is impressive. He’s technically sound and moves incredibly well. The X-factor in his game is his technical ability. There is a level of athletic ability to come out of his structure to make a desperation save in the few moments that he needs to. Ivankovic’s .967 save percentage at the tournament almost undersells just how good he was.

Alex Huang, D, Canada

The other half of Canada’s top pair alongside Schaefer, Alex Huang was understatedly good throughout the Hlinka. He and Schaefer did an excellent job of reading off of each other and shining in their own moments. Huang isn’t a big defender but he played a stout defensive game, killing rush attacks and using his stick to disrupt play. His breakout passing was on point and he even scored a beautiful goal coming out of the penalty box in the semifinal. Huang is a name to watch out for in the QMJHL this season.

Caleb Desnoyers, C, Canada

Speaking of the QMJHL, Caleb Desnoyers is one of the top draft eligibles in the 'Q' this season and he will help head up a resurgent year for the league when it comes to the NHL draft. He was consistently one of Canada’s best players at driving play and creating offensive chances at this tournament, putting up a point in every game for Canada. Desnoyer scored the gold medal-winning goal against Czechia to put a cap on a solid tournament all around for the Moncton Wildcats' forward.

Adam Benak, C, Czechia

After setting the record for all-time scoring at the Hlinka early in the round-robin, Benak was on a mission to help Czechia get back to the gold medal game. Although the Czech squad came up just short to Canada for a second straight year in the final, Benak was a difference-maker in every game to get them there. He finished second in tournament scoring with 11 points and tied for the tournament lead in goals. His playmaking was simply phenomenal throughout, finding seams and making passes most players only dream of. Although he’s just 5-foot-7, he will be a first-round candidate this year because the talent is undeniable.

Adam Novotny, LW, Czechia

Every Batman needs a Robin and Benak’s sidekick was Adam Novotny. He was consistently getting involved in play, supporting all over the ice, and looked better and better as the tournament went on even if the scoring dried up in the last couple of games. He brought a more dual-threat game than expected, with some impressive playmaking throughout the tournament.

Viktor Klingsell, LW, Sweden

The tournament’s leading scorer, Klingsell was a factor throughout the tournament. His seven-point performance against Switzerland was the reason he had such a high-scoring total at the end of the day but his line, along with Ivar Stenberg and Milton Gastrin was consistently Sweden’s best when they needed someone to find some offense. Klingsell gets the mention here but it was the line in general that helped Sweden to the bronze medal.

Love Harenstam, G, Sweden

Although he didn’t look great in the semifinal against Czechia, Harenstam showed up and put together a solid tournament for the Swedes. He rebounded in the bronze medal game against the Americans, stopping 34 of 37 shots while his Swedish teammates held and maintained the lead, and a last-minute American goal meant nothing as the Swedes finished with a 6-3 victory. Harenstam kept them at bay and ensured that Sweden took home a medal. Harenstam is going to have a lot of eyes on him this year.

Nicolas Sykora, LW, USA

For a player who played mostly down in the lineup, Sykora consistently found ways to stick out. Whether he was making good smart plays to help break the puck out or winning the puck back in the offensive zone, Sykora kept jumping out to assert himself in the action. He had a couple of goals and a couple of assists to go along with a good, workman-like performance throughout the tournament.

Blake Fiddler, D, USA

The son of former NHLer Vernon Fiddler, Blake captained the U.S. squad and helped lead them to the medal round despite low expectations coming into the event. He used his size to his advantage defensively and consistently found ways to cut off play. He showed some offensive skill in their game against Germany, proving that he has it in his arsenal even if it doesn’t come out all of the time. At 6-foot-4 with the ability to move the way he does, we will likely hear about Fiddler plenty this season.

Jan Chovan, C, Slovakia

This wasn’t Slovakia’s best performance, but Jan Chovan was able to consistently drive play and showcase his playmaking ability. His passing was on point and he was one of very few Slovaks to stand out throughout this tournament. He scored in every game and stepped up as the games became more important as well. He was the only non-Canadian, Czech or Swede in the top ten in scoring.

Gustavs Grivas and Rihards Grivas, C/RW, Germany

Despite Germany’s underwhelming tournament, the Grivas brothers helped lead the way in an upset win of the Finns and they led the team in scoring at the Hlinka. They each had two goals and two assists with very little help around them. If they produce at a solid rate in Germany this season with Mannheim, they could be interesting swings at the draft in June. At the very least, their Hlinka performance put them in the back of the minds of scouts.