Now that the 2025 IIHF World U18 Championship has concluded, it's time to look back at a few standouts from the tournament that was.
Braeden Cootes- Canada
Captain Cootes was easily one of the best players for Canada during this tournament. The Seattle Thunderbirds forward put up six goals and six assists in just seven games, and led his team to a gold medal against Sweden. Making an impact up and down the ice, Cootes improved his international play considerably from last summer's Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
Cole Reschny- Canada
Coming off a massive season in the WHL, Reschny continues to impress at all levels. Despite only playing five games, the Victoria Royals star potted eight points and finished with a +8 rating. While Reschny has an outstanding playmaking ability, he continues to round out his game and could see himself being taken quite high at the 2025 NHL draft.
Blake Fiddler- United States
The hometown kid came up big during this tournament, as he may not have put up the most points (2-1-3 in seven games) but remained an integral part of the USA's run to a bronze medal against Slovakia where he scored the opening goal of the contest. A Frisco, TX native and expected to become a cornerstone piece of the Edmonton Oil Kings defensive corps, Fiddler could surprise some people at the draft in June.
Radim Mrtka- Czechia
He may not have made the medal round, but this Thunderbirds blueliner logged big minutes for the Czechs (~24 minutes per game) and recorded one assist in a semifinal loss against Canada. Standing in at six-foot-six, Mrtka continues to use his size and reach to break up plays as well as jump in on the rush. Whoever ends up selecting him at the draft, will be getting a complete player.
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