Nine OHL players were selected to represent Canada at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup
Hockey Canada has announced their roster for the upcoming Hlinka Gretzky Cup and the OHL is well represented.
The 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup begins on August 5 and ends on August 10, with the games being held in Edmonton, Alberta. The Great White North is looking to win their third consecutive Hlinka tournament.
The Hlinka tournament is an annual summer event that showcases top U18 prospects who are entering their NHL draft year.
This is a chance for these young players to establish themselves early on for the 2025 NHL Draft, as well as for those who are not eligible until 2026.
Nine OHL players have been named to Canada’s roster, featuring the OHL’s reigning Rookie of the Year, a past first overall pick, and another potential stud in net who aims to follow up Carter George’s stellar performance at last year’s event.
Here are the nine OHL players selected by Hockey Canada:
Forwards
F, Jake O’Brien - Brantford Bulldogs (OHL 2023-24 First All-Rookie Team)
F, Tyler Hopkins - Kingston Frontenacs
F, Luca Romano - Kitchener Rangers
F, Ethan Czata - Niagara IceDogs
F, Brady Martin - Soo Greyhounds
Defensemen
LHD, Matthew Schaefer - Erie Otters (OHL 2023-24 First All-Rookie Team)
RHD, Quinn Beauchesne - Guelph Storm
LHD, Cameron Reid - Kitchener Rangers (OHL 2023-24 First All-Rookie Team)
Goaltenders
G, Jack Ivankovic - Brampton Steelheads (OHL 2023-24 Second All-Rookie Team)
Some minor league buddies are getting the opportunity to play with one another once again.
Jake O’Brien and Luca Romano played their U16 OHL draft season with the Toronto Jr. Canadiens in the GTHL and won the 2023 OHL Cup in dominating fashion.
Tyler Hopkins and Matthew Schaefer played together for the Halton Hurricanes before becoming top-five picks in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection.
Schaefer and Jack Ivankovic won gold with Canada at the IIHF Men’s U18 World Championship this past spring. Ivankovic was the team’s third-string goaltender, but Schaefer played a much more prominent role and recorded five points in seven games.
All nine players played for either Canada White or Red at the 2023 U17 World Hockey Challenge and will have another opportunity to dawn their nation’s colors in an international tournament.
Niagara IceDogs star forward Ryan Roobroeck would have most likely made the roster if he didn’t, unfortunately, suffer an injury that held him out of the selection camp.
Additionally, Soo Greyhounds forward Travis Hayes is the lone OHL player to have been named to USA's roster for the tournament. London Knights defenseman Henry Brzustewicz did not make the cut.
Hayes was voted to the OHL's 2023-24 First All-Rookie Team after surprising everyone with the season he had with the Greyhounds.