These QMJHLers will be suiting up in this year's Hlinka-Gretzky Cup before heading to preseason later this month.
The first tournament on the docket for the 2026-27 hockey season is here, with the Hlinka-Gretzky cup getting underway on Monday in Edmonton.
This year, as usual, there's a good bit of QMJHL representation across the tournament, as players get a few international games under their belt ahead of the season starting in about six weeks.
Here's a look at each QMJHLer suiting up for their nation this week.
Mooseheads blueliner Malik L'Italien should feature on Canada's top defence pair at this year's Hlinka-Gretzky Cup. (Photo: Trevor MacMillan)Canada
F - Alexis Joseph (Saint John Sea Dogs)
F - Benjamin Veitch (Newfoundland Regiment)
D - Malik L'Italien (Halifax Mooseheads)
D - Quinn Norman (Newfoundland Regiment)
G - Sam Berthiaume (Cape Breton Eagles)
Some pretty big names highlight this roster, mainly Joseph, who will serve as an assistant captain for Canada.
Meanwhile, L'Italien played alongside projected no. 1 pick in the 2027 NHL draft Landon DuPont in the last pre-tournament game, while Berthiaume has split time in goal and Veitch played on the fourth line.
Czechia
F - Matyas Cancik (Saint John Sea Dogs)
F - Maximilian Mares (Rimouski Océanic)
A pair of import forwards will represent the Czechs before joining their QMJHL teams in the fall.
Both Cancik and Mares should feature in Czechia's middle-six forward group.
USA
D - Cameron Minella (Halifax Mooseheads)
Minella is coming off of a decent rookie season in Halifax as a depth blueliner, a role similar to the one he'll likely play at the Hlinka for the Americans.
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