After an injury-plagued rookie season in the OHL, Quinn Beauchesne looks forward to representing Canada at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
Last week, Hockey Canada announced its roster for the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. One of the 22 players on the roster was Guelph Storm defender Quinn Beauchesne, who was excited to get the opportunity to don the Canadian jersey in Edmonton at this year's tournment.
"It was awesome," said Beauchesne. "It is every kid's dream to put on the Canadian jersey."
The 2007-born defender joins Canada's U-18 roster after being plagued by the injury bug during his rookie season in Guelph. The 14th overall pick in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection only played 33 games last season.
"Last year was a bit of an injury-dominated season, so I am really hoping to show people what I have," said Beauchesne. "I feel like there are a lot of people who don't know what I can bring to the game."
Last night, during Canada's opening game, Beauchesne wasted no time showing what he could do.
Just seven minutes into the first period, Beachesne scored Canada's first goal of the tournament in what became a 10-0 blow-out victory over Switzerland. By the end of the game, Beauchesne added a pair of assists for a three-point night.
The team was firing on all cylinders with six players scoring three or more points on the night.
Though individual success is undoubtedly important, Beauchesne understands that the team's success is much more important.
"This is such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," said Beauchesne. " I think the only goal for everyone is to come home with gold and have a memory that we will all cherish together."
A gold medal for Beauchesne and his teammates would make them part of a long history of Canadian dominance at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Since the tournament's inception in 1991, Canada has won 24 gold medals. To put that total into context, there have only been eight occasions where another team won gold. A win would also make Canada the winner of the last three tournaments.
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Before the tournament, Beachesne said the best advice he received came from the Guelph GM George Burnett.
"[He said] no matter what you do you have to have fun with the experience, be confident and soak everything in," said Beachesne. "Listen to the coaches learn from each other and have as much fun as possible. You can't play well if you aren't having fun."
He plans to do just that as the tournament continues.
Canada's next game will take place tomorrow at 9:30 PM Eastern Time when they will face Slovakia.