Some top young QMJHLers now have a gold medal start to their 2026-27 season.
The 2026 Hlinka-Gretzky Cup has come and gone, with a dominant performance crowning a loaded Canadian team as gold medalists in Edmonton.
There were five QMJHL talents on this roster, three of which playing sizeable roles for the Canadians, with the other two serving more as extras.
Benjamin Veitch was perhaps the biggest headliner of the group, with the physical Newfoundlander serving as a key member of Canada's identity line alongside Guelph's Jaakko Wycisk and Edmonton's Kayden Stroeder.
Benjamin Veitch's five goals, including some big ones in the knockout rounds, helped propel Canada to gold. (Photo: Jeff Parsons)The Regiment forward's five goals were tied for second in the tournament, and a four-point showing against Finland in the semifinal was a masterclass from the entire identity line.
Malik L'Italien played on the top pair alongside captain Landon DuPont, and really grew into his game as the tournament went along.
A tough giveaway early in the opener was quickly forgotten about after the Halifax Mooseheads blueliner showed his fantastic combination of skating, puck-moving and offensive zone IQ.
L'Italien capped his tournament off with the game-winning goal in the semifinal, and another dominant showing against the U.S. in the gold medal game.
Alexis Joseph served as an alternate captain for the team, and started off the event as a top-six centre.
While the Saint John star didn't quite take over as expected, and struggled with the pace of the game at times, he was still a part of an elite power play and started to get more engaged with his play along the walls as the games went on.
Joseph ended the tournament with a goal and two assists in five games.
Sam Berthiaume started in the opener against Switzerland, but served as the backup afterwards. The Eagles goaltender allowed three goals on 25 shots in that game, and overall looked alright.
Quinn Norman served as the seventh defenseman for the tournament, dressing for games but not getting too many shifts.
In addition to the Canadians, Cameron Minella of Halifax picked up a silver medal with the Americans, and incoming Rimouski import Max Mares finished with six points in four games for the Czechs.
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