Coming off a tournament-opening win, Canada’s National Men's Under-18 Team gets right back to action Friday at the 2025 IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship, taking on Latvia as prelim play continues in Group A.

Last Game

Canada started fast in its opener Thursday, scoring five first-period goals in a 9-2 win over Slovakia. The Canadians finished with four power-play goals, two from Cameron Schmidt (who also had an assist), and got a pair of goals and three assists from Braeden Cootes, and three helpers from Brady Martin. In all, 13 of the 16 Canadian skaters recorded points and Jack Ivankovic was solid when called upon in goal, finishing with 22 saves.

The Latvians worked overtime (and more) in their opener Wednesday, getting a shootout winner from Maksims Saperins to earn a 2-1 victory over Norway. Martins Klaucans scored the lone goal for Latvia in regulation, finding the back of the net just 103 seconds after the puck dropped, and Ivans Kufterins was terrific in a 21-save effort (plus all four Norwegian attempts in the shootout).

Last Meeting

Canada and Latvia clashed in the quarterfinals a year ago in Finland. Maxim Massé and Ryder Ritchie scored in the first period before Porter Martone and Jett Luchanko added insurance in the back half of the third as the Canadians continued their march to gold with a 4-0 victory. Carter George was terrific between the pipes en route to Best Goaltender honours, turning aside all 23 shots he faced to earn his second shutout of the tournament.

What to Watch

It sure looks like the power play is going to be a key to the Canadians’ success in Texas, so stay tuned there. But let’s put the spotlight on Cootes, who equalled the Canadian single-game scoring record at the tournament and turned in the first five-point effort since Connor Bedard had two goals and three assists in a quarterfinal win over Czechia in 2021. The Sherwood Park, Alberta, native is no stranger to putting up points – he had 26 goals and 63 points with the WHL’s Seattle Thunderbirds, where he was one of the CHL’s few 17-year-old captains this season. He wore the ‘C’ for Canada against the Slovaks, although the leadership group has yet to be officially finalized.

Almost a third of the Latvian roster – eight of 25 – skated in North America this season, but only one suited up in the Canadian Hockey League. Karlis Flugins featured in 52 games for the OHL’s Flint Firebirds, recording 14 points (5-9—14). Latvia also has five players who helped stun Canada in a shootout at the World Juniors in Ottawa – Martins Klaucans, Olivers Murnieks, Roberts Naudins, Krisjanis Sarts and Daniels Serkins. Serkins is the one to watch in the eyes of the scouts; the Latvian captain has appeared on NHL Draft lists throughout the season after posting 22 points (9-13—22) in 35 games with SC Bern in the Swiss U20 league.

A Look Back

This is the eighth meeting between Canada and Latvia at the IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship, with the Canadians earning wins in each of the previous seven, outscoring the Latvians 40-12.

The 2015 tournament opener in Switzerland was absolutely wild; Latvia led 3-2 after one period, only for Canada to score six unanswered goals – by six different players – in the second. Both teams then scored three goals in the final frame in what ended as an 11-6 win for the Canadians. Jeremy Roy had a hat trick, Mitchell Stephens scored twice and added an assist, and Mathew Barzal chipped in three helpers.

All-time record: Canada leads 7-0
Canada goals: 40
Latvia goals: 12

FRISCO, Texas – Twenty-five players have been named to Canada’s National Men’s Under-18 Team as it looks to defend its gold medal at the 2025 IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship, April 23-May 3 in Frisco and Allen, Texas.

Three goaltenders, eight defencemen and 14 forwards – representing seven Members – were selected by head scout Byron Bonora (Brooks, AB), general manager Scott Walker (Cambridge, ON) and Kyle Turris (New Westminster, BC), of the management group, with input from Benoit Roy (Sudbury, ON), director, hockey operations.

Among the players are 12 who won a gold medal with Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup (Beauchesne, Beckman, Cootes, Czata, Hopkins, Huang, Ivankovic, Kilfoil, Martin, Reschny, Schmidt, Smith), seven that suited up at the 2024 U17 World Challenge, including four who won gold with Canada White (Edwards, Lin, Rudolph, Verhoeff) and three who are making their Program of Excellence debut (Gard, Hood, Sawchyn).

“The opportunity to represent your country and defend a gold medal is not something that happens often,” Walker said. “These young men have worked hard all season and earned this opportunity to play on the international stage here in Texas. As a staff, we’re excited about the talent, work ethic and character of this group and we are excited to get things going. This tournament is an important step in athlete preparation for the World Juniors, the premier event of the Program of Excellence.”

Canada opens the 2025 IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship today, taking on Slovakia (5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT). Canada will also play Latvia, Finland and Norway in the preliminary round before the tournament concludes with the medal games on May 3.

TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada, will broadcast 16 and 10 tournament games, respectively. TSN will broadcast all Team Canada preliminary-round games, as well as the quarterfinals, semifinals and medal games, while RDS will broadcast all Team Canada preliminary-round games, two quarterfinals, the semifinals and medal games.

For more information on the 2025 IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship, please visit the official tournament website at IIHF.com .

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Men’s Under-18 Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca , or follow along through social media on Facebook , X, Instagram and TikTok .

Canada’s National Men's Under-18 Team starts defence of its gold medal Thursday at the 2025 IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship, taking on Slovakia in its Group A opener in Texas.

Last Game

Canada closed outs its pre-tournament schedule Monday with an 8-3 loss to Sweden in Plano. Brady Martin and Jackson Smith scored to give the Canadians a 2-1 lead after 20 minutes, but five unanswered goals by the Swedes in the second period proved to be the difference. Braeden Cootes had the other Canadian goal on a third-period power play, and Martin finished with a goal and an assist.

The Slovaks won a thriller in the tournament opener Wednesday, needing a shootout to down Finland 1-0. Michal Pradel was the story in between the pipes; he turned aside all 34 shots he faced through regulation and overtime and was perfect on four opportunities in the shootout. Michal Svrcek and Alex Misiak provided the only offence, converting on their chances in the first and fourth rounds, respectively.

Last Meeting

The Canadians and Slovaks last met at the U18 level in August, a 5-1 win for Canada in preliminary-round play at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Edmonton. Luca Romano and Cameron Schmidt scored two goals apiece for the Canadians, who held a 44-28 advantage in shots on goal.

The last faceoff between the teams at U18 Men’s Worlds came in the bronze medal game at the 2023 tournament in Switzerland. In that one, Matthew Wood tied the game with 70 seconds to go and Macklin Celebrini – 14 months before he was the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NHL Draft – was the overtime hero as Canada earned a 4-3 victory to win bronze. Wood finished with a goal and three assists, while Celebrini contributed two goals and a helper.

What to Watch

Canada looks to be set between the pipes, with their goaltending duo from the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup back together. Jack Ivankovic is no stranger to Canadian hockey fans; a returnee from the team that won U18 Men’s Worlds gold a year ago in Finland, he backstopped Canada to gold in Edmonton with a minuscule 0.75 goals-against average, and made a little history at the World Juniors when he became just the first 17-year-old goaltender to start a game for Canada’s National Junior Team since 1987. Lucas Beckman was an absolute workhorse with Baie-Comeau in the QMJHL this season, finishing second in minutes played (3,058), fourth in saves (1,437), fourth in save percentage (.914) and fifth in goals-against average (2.65) while earning a league-leading 31 wins for the Drakkar.

Jan Chovan is the top-rated Slovak for the 2025 NHL Draft, ranking 16th among international skaters in the final Central Scouting rankings. He was the leading scorer for Slovakia at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, contributing a goal and five assists in four games. Andreas Straka is the lone Slovak skater to ply his trade in the Canadian Hockey League this season, recording 34 points (9-25—34) in 53 games with the QMJHL’s Quebec Remparts. He’s the 95th-ranked North American skater by NHL Central Scouting. And while he likely won’t get the start against Canada in the back-to-back, keep en eye on Pradel. The third-ranked North American goaltender – one spot ahead of Ivankovic – was terrific to get his team the extra point against the Finns.

A Look Back

Canada has never lost to Slovakia at the IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship, winning all 12 meetings (with two coming by way of overtime).

In addition to the OT thriller for bronze in 2023, the teams also needed extra time in their preliminary-round meeting at the 2017 tournament in Slovakia, when Stelio Mattheos scored his second goal of the game 2:38 into overtime to give Canada a 4-3 win over the hosts.

All-time record: Canada leads 12-0 (2-0 in OT)
Canada goals: 43
Slovakia goals: 17

CALGARY, Alberta – With less than two weeks until the puck drops at the 2025 IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship, Hockey Canada has announced the staff that will build and lead Canada’s National Men’s Under-18 Team in Frisco and Allen, Texas.

Scott Walker (Guelph, ON/Guelph, OHL) will serve as general manager and will be joined on the management group by Kyle Turris (New Westminster, BC). They will work alongside head scout Byron Bonora (Brooks, AB) and Benoit Roy (Sudbury, ON), director of hockey operations, with support from Scott Salmond (Creston, BC), senior vice-president of high performance and hockey operations.

In addition, two-time Stanley Cup champion Cory Stillman (Peterborough, ON/Guelph, OHL) has been named head coach, working alongside associate coach Travis Crickard (St. John’s, NL/Saint John, QMJHL), assistant coach Mathieu Turcotte (Kirkland, QC/Blainville-Boisbriand, QMJHL) and goaltending consultant Dan De Palma (Kamloops, BC/Kamloops, WHL). 

“We are excited about to unveil the management group, coaching staff and support staff for Canada’s National Men’s Under-18 Team, as we believe this is a world-class group that is motivated to defend gold in Texas,” said Roy. “All members of our staff bring important experience from various international events and the Canadian Hockey League, and we are eager to gather and begin working towards accomplishing our goal of winning back-to-back U18 world championship gold medals.”

Stillman recently finished his first season as head coach of the Guelph Storm of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) after spending four seasons (2020-24) as an assistant coach with the Arizona Coyotes. He was also the head coach of the OHL’s Sudbury Wolves for three seasons (2017-20), was the director of player development with the Carolina Hurricanes (2012-13) and was a player development coach with the Florida Panthers (2011-12). As a player, he played in 1,025 NHL games, winning the Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning (2004) and Carolina (2006), and represented Canada at the 1999 IIHF World Championship.

Crickard recently completed his third season as head coach of the QMJHL’s Saint John Sea Dogs following one season as an assistant. He also spent time with the OHL’s Ottawa 67’s (2013-14) and Western Hockey League’s Kelowna Rockets (2014-19). Most recently, he won a silver medal as head coach of Canada Red at the 2024 U17 World Challenge. He also won a gold medal as an assistant with Canada’s National Men’s Under-18 Team at the 2024 IIHF U18 World Championship and as video coach at the same tournament in 2021. Crickard was an assistant coach for Canada’s men’s hockey team at the 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games, finishing fourth, and was video coach (2016) and assistant coach (2017) with Canada Black at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, winning a silver medal in 2016.

Turcotte just wrapped up his second season as head coach of the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). Prior to joining the Armada, he served as head coach of the Blizzard du Séminaire Saint-François of the Ligue de hockey M18 AAA du Québec (LHM18AAAQ), winning gold at the 2023 Men’s U18 National Club Championship. He also spent three seasons as an assistant coach with the QMJHL’s Drummondville Voltigeurs (2019-22), six seasons with the LHM18AAAQ’s Chevaliers de Lévis as assistant coach (2008-10) and GM/head coach (2015-19), and had stints as an assistant with the QMJHL’s Val-d’Or Foreurs (2010-12) and Chicoutimi Saguenéens (2012-14). Internationally, Turcotte won a gold medal as head coach of Canada White at the 2024 U17 World Challenge.

The support staff that will work with Canada’s National Men’s Under-18 Team at the 2025 IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship includes:

• Video coach Matthew Smith (Tatamagouche, NB/Acadie-Bathurst, QMJHL)
• Skill development coach Dean Seymour (Saskatoon, SK)
• Athletic therapists Andy Brown (Montréal, QC/Owen Sound, OHL) and Terence Robertson (Red Deer, AB/Red Deer, WHL)
• Team physician Dr. Nolan Rau (Summerland, BC/Kelowna, WHL)
• Equipment manager A.J. Murley (St. John’s, NL)
• Strength and conditioning coach Sean Young (Ennismore, ON/Ottawa, OHL)
• Coordinator of hockey operations Jared Power (Calgary, AB)

18 players named to camp roster ahead of 2025 IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship

Hockey Canada has also announced the first 18 players who will attend Canada’s National Men’s Under-18 Team pre-tournament camp, set for April 12-15 in Oakville, Ontario, ahead of the 2025 IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship.

The camp roster was selected by Walker and Bonora, with support from Turris, Roy and De Palma. It includes three goaltenders, six defencemen and nine forwards, and features one player who won a gold medal at the 2024 U18 Men’s Worlds (Ivankovic) and six who have won gold at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup (Beauchesne, Cootes, Czata, Ivankovic, Martin, Smith). It also includes 17 players who have represented Canada at the U17 World Challenge (Beauchesne, Carels, Chartrand, Cootes, Czata, Di Iorio, Edwards, Ellsworth, Ivankovic, Katzin, Lin, Martin, Mbuyi, Roobroeck, Smith, Villeneuve, Wassilyn) and six who played for Canada at the 2023 Youth Olympic Winter Games (Chartrand, Di Iorio, Edwards, Ellsworth, Lin, Wassilyn).

“We are excited to unveil the 18 players who will attend camp in Oakville ahead of U18 Men’s Worlds, as we believe this is a talented group that brings important international experience and success on the international stage,” Walker said. “We believe we have a great staff in place to help our players be successful, and while we continue to follow the Canadian Hockey League playoffs, we are excited to begin our journey to defend gold in Texas later this month.”

Roster additions will be announced in the coming weeks following the conclusion of the second round of the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) playoffs, while the final roster for the 2025 IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship will be announced prior to the start of the tournament.

Canada’s National Men’s Under-18 Team will gather at the Sixteen Mile Sports Complex in Oakville before travelling to Texas. It will take on Germany on April 19 at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT and Sweden on April 21 at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT in pre-tournament action at the Children’s Health StarCenter in Farmers Branch, Texas.

The 2025 IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship kicks off on April 23, with Canada taking on Slovakia, Latvia, Finland and Norway in the preliminary round before the tournament concludes with the medal games on May 3. TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada, will broadcast 16 and 10 tournament games, respectively. TSN will broadcast all Team Canada preliminary-round games, as well as the quarterfinals, semifinals and medal games, while RDS will broadcast all Team Canada preliminary-round games, two quarterfinals, the semifinals and medal games.

For more information on the 2025 IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship, please visit the official tournament website at IIHF.com.

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Men’s Under-18 Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along through social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.

CALGARY, Alberta – Hockey Canada has announced the three Canadian Hockey League (CHL) general managers that will make up the Program of Excellence management group for the 2024-25 season.

Yanick Lemay (Drummondville, QC/Drummondville, QMJHL) will make his debut as a member of the POE management group, guiding the under-17 program through the 2024 U17 World Challenge in Sarnia, Ontario, while Dave Brown (Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON/Erie, OHL) returned to the POE for the second year in a row, serving as under-18 lead by helping Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team win its third-straight gold medal at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Edmonton in August. Peter Anholt (Naicam, SK/Lethbridge, WHL) is part of the management group for the fourth-consecutive season and leading the under-20 program for the second time in as many years, advising Canada’s National Junior Team through the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship in Ottawa.

In addition, Team Canada alumni Kyle Turris (New Westminster, BC) and Brent Seabrook (Tsawwassen, BC) have joined the management group of the under-17 and under-20 programs, respectively. Turris will work alongside Lemay, making his management debut, while Seabrook returns to the under-20 program for the second-straight year to work alongside Anholt. 

“We are grateful for Yanick, Dave, Peter, Kyle and Brent’s commitment and dedication to the Program of Excellence, as these three general managers and two recognized alumni bring a wealth of experience and leadership to Hockey Canada’s under-17, under-18 and under-20 programs,” said Scott Salmond (Creston, BC), senior vice-president of high performance and hockey operations. “The POE has been successful to start the new season, with Dave helping our under-18 program capture gold on home ice, and we know Yanick, Kyle, Peter and Brent are excited to continue to contribute to Canada’s success on the international stage in the coming months.”

Lemay is currently in his second season as general manager of the Drummondville Voltigeurs of the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). Last season, he helped lead the Voltigeurs to a 102-point season, winning the Trophée Gilles-Courteau as QMJHL champions and earning a spot in the Memorial Cup. Prior to joining Drummondville, he served as an amateur scout with the Winnipeg Jets for 12 seasons (2011-23), was the head scout of the QMJHL’s Montréal Junior for three seasons (2008-11), and spent 10 seasons with the QMJHL’s Cape Breton Screaming Eagles as a scout (1998-2002) and head scout (2002-08).

Brown guided the under-17 program in 2023-24, helping Canada White to a gold medal at the 2023 U17 World Challenge. He is currently in his 10th season (2015-24) as general manager of the Erie Otters of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) after serving four seasons as director (2014-15) and assistant director (2011-14) of hockey operations with the team. Brown led Erie to an OHL championship in 2017, and contributed to a CHL record of four-consecutive 50-win seasons (2011-15). Prior to joining the Otters, he spent seven seasons with the Mississauga/Niagara IceDogs, serving as assistant general manager (2003-05) and general manager (2005-10).

Anholt led the under-20 program last season, as well as the under-18 program for two seasons (2021-23), helping Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team win a gold medal at the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. He is currently in his ninth full season (2015-24) as general manager of the Lethbridge Hurricanes of the Western Hockey League (WHL) after being promoted from assistant general manager in 2014. Anholt also spent time as head coach of the Hurricanes for part of the 2014-15 season, and has won the WHL Executive of the Year award twice (2015-16, 2019-20). He brings a wealth of WHL experience as a head coach, assistant coach and scout, including stints with the Prince Albert Raiders (1986-89, 2002-07), Seattle Thunderbirds (1989-92, 2012-14), Red Deer Rebels (1992-95, 1998-2000, 2007-08, 2011-12) and Kelowna Rockets (1996-98).

Turris played in 776 NHL games over 14 seasons with the Phoenix Coyotes (2008-11), Ottawa Senators (2011-17), Nashville Predators (2017-20) and Edmonton Oilers (2020-22), amassing 424 points (168 goals, 256 assists). He suited up for Canada at all levels of the POE, winning gold medals at the 2006 U18 Junior World Cup and 2008 IIHF World Junior Championship, and won gold with Canada West at the inaugural World Junior A Challenge in 2006, where he led the tournament in scoring and was named Most Valuable Player. Turris also played at three IIHF World Championships (2014, 2018, 2019), serving as captain and winning a silver medal in 2019.

Seabrook played in 1,114 NHL games over 15 seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks (2005-20), recording 464 career points (103 goals, 361 assists), serving as an alternate captain for 11 seasons and winning the Stanley Cup three times (2010, 2013, 2015). He won a silver medal at the 2002 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, gold medals at the 2002 Eight Nations Cup and 2003 IIHF World U18 Championship, and gold (2005) and silver (2004) at the IIHF World Junior Championship. Seabrook also suited up for Canada at the 2006 IIHF World Championship and won gold at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Prior to his professional career, he played four WHL seasons (2001-05) for Lethbridge, serving as Hurricanes captain for two seasons (2003-05).

The management group will work alongside Salmond, Benoit Roy (Sudbury, ON), director of hockey operations, U20 head scout Al Murray (Regina, SK), U17 head scout Byron Bonora (Brooks, AB) and Scott Walker (Cambridge, ON), player development coach, as well as the organization’s hockey operations staff. Day-to-day operations for the POE management group include assisting in coach and player selections, supporting the coaching staffs and providing input during camps and tournaments throughout the season.

The Program of Excellence is overseen by Katherine Henderson (Thunder Bay, ON), Hockey Canada’s president and chief executive officer; Pat McLaughlin (Saint John, NB), Hockey Canada’s chief operating officer and executive vice-president, strategy; Salmond; Roy; Dan MacKenzie (Guelph, ON), CHL president; Bryan Crawford (Hamilton, ON), OHL commissioner; Mario Cecchini (Saint-Lambert, QC), QMJHL commissioner; and Dan Near (Markham, ON), WHL commissioner.

For more information on Hockey Canada and the Program of Excellence, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.

EDMONTON, Alberta – Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team has won the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, edging Czechia 2-1 in the gold medal game Saturday night at Rogers Place.

It’s the third year in a row Canada has won the annual summer under-18 tournament, and the 25th time in 32 tries dating back to 1991.

Liam Kilfoil (Quispamsis, NB/Chicoutimi, LHJMQ) opened the scoring for Canada just over six minutes into the first period, potting his second goal of the tournament and giving the Canadians a lead they would not relinquish.

“Canada’s expectations are always to win,” said head coach Kris Mallette (Kelowna, BC/Kelowna, WHL). “I’m so proud of the group in there. It’s amazing to see all of the coaches’ ideas come to fruition and be on display in a short tournament like this. I’m happy to be able to achieve this with this group…and to win for the third year in a row is extra special.”

Caleb Desnoyers (Saint-Hyacinthe, QC/Moncton, LHJMQ), scored the eventual game-winning goal with 52 seconds left in the opening frame.

Czechia drew within one on a power play with less than 10 seconds remaining, but Jack Ivankovic (Mississauga, ON/Brampton, OHL) locked things down, backstopping the Canadians with an 18-save performance. Ivankovic was lights out for Canada, finishing with four wins to go along with a 0.75 goals-against average and .967 save percentage. He’s just the second goaltender in Canadian summer U18 tournament history to appear in four games and fashion a sub-1.00 GAA, joining Scott Ratzlaff (2022).

 “Singing that anthem with all the boys is a memory we will never forget,” said Ivankovic. “It’s my favourite song tonight, that’s for sure. We came out of the gate flying. We knew it would be a hard game with a gold medal on the line, but we just kept working and got it done.”

A full game summary can be found at HlinkaGretzkyCup.ca.

“This is every kid’s dream [to win a gold medal for Canada],” said alternate captain Gavin McKenna (Whitehorse, YT/Medicine Hat, WHL). We are all so proud to wear this Maple Leaf… we battled hard all week long, and to win this with this group is something we will remember forever.”

Canada finished the preliminary round in first place in Group A after wins over Switzerland (10-0), Slovakia (5-1) and Sweden (2-1). It earned its spot in the gold medal game with a 5-1 win over the United States in the semifinals.

Cole Reschny (Macklin, SK/Victoria, WHL) and Émile Guité (Chambly, QC/Chicoutimi, LHJMQ) finished as Canada’s co-leaders in scoring, recording three goals and four assists apiece.

Sweden wins bronze

Earlier in the day, Sweden won the bronze medal with a 6-2 win over the United States.

Eric Nilson led the offence with a hat trick, while Love Härenstam made 34 saves. 

It is the eighth time Sweden has won summer U18 bronze, and 13th medal overall.

For more information on Hockey Canada and the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, please visit hlinkagretzkycup.ca or follow along via social media on Facebook, X and Instagram. 

Four wins down, one to go for Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team, which – for the second year in a row – faces off against Czechia in the gold medal game at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

Last Game

Canada moved into another gold medal game by beating the United States 5-1 in Friday’s late semifinal. Jack Ivankovic was terrific in a 28-save performance, and five different players – Cameron Schmidt, Alex Huang, Cole Reschny, Luca Romano and Gavin McKenna – scored goals as the Canadians beat their North American neighbours in the semis for the second year in a row.

The Czechs booked their place in the final with a 5-1 semifinal win over Sweden. Vit Zahejsky led the charge with a two goals and an assist, his first capping off a three-goals-in-11-minutes stretch that put Czechia in control. Adam Benak added a goal and an assist, while Ondrej Stebetek finished with 18 saves.

Last Meeting

The teams met a week ago in pre-tournament play, with the Czechs earning a 6-4 win. Cameron Schmidt had a goal and an assist to pace the Canadians, but two Czechia goals in a span of 10 seconds with less than seven minutes to go proved to be the difference.

As mentioned, this gold medal game is a rematch of the 2023 final, an overtime thriller that ended in a 3-2 Canadian victory. After the Czechs forced extra time with just 4:47 left, Malcolm Spence provided the heroics for Canada, scoring with seven seconds left in the overtime period to give Canada a 24th summer U18 gold.

What to Watch

If Friday’s win – and the tournament as a whole – has shown us anything, it’s how deep the Canadian lineup truly is. Every night, it seems as if someone new is stepping up to provide offence. Through four games, 17 of 20 Canadian skaters have at least a point, six are averaging at least a point a game and no one has scored more than three goals (Reschny, McKenna, Romano, Schmidt and Émile Guité have all reached that mark). The top defensive pairing of Huang and Matthew Schaefer has combined for 10 points, the ‘D’ corps as a whole has been terrific – allowing only three goals in four games – and Ivankovic has been lights out with a 0.67 goals-against average and .973 save percentage.

All eyes on Benak. After co-leading the tournament in scoring a year ago as an underager, the 5-foot-7 forward has been as good as advertised in Edmonton. His goal and assist against the Swedes gives him 10 points (4-6—10) in four games – the same number he had in 2023 and just one back of Swedish sniper Viktor Klingsell for the tournament lead. Benak has found the scoresheet in every game, highlighted by a hat trick and two helpers in a win over Germany on Tuesday. He’ll ply his trade in North America this season, joining the USHL’s Youngstown Phantoms after producing a point-per-game (8-21—29 in 29 games) with HC Plzen in the Czech U20 league last year.

A Look Back

The Canadians and Czechs have been frequent foes in summer under-18 competition, facing off 24 times dating back to 1997 (Canada has won 20 of those 24).

That list includes six gold medal game meetings; in addition to last year’s win, the Canadians prevailed in 2002, 2004, 2005, 2014 and 2017 (led by a goal and two assists from 2022 Olympian Jack McBain).

All-time record: Canada leads 20-2-2 (1-0 in OT/SO)
Canada goals: 109
Czechia goals: 45

It’s on to the medal round for Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team, which takes on the United States in an all-North American semifinal Friday night at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

Last Game

Canada closed out an unblemished preliminary round with a 2-1 win over Sweden on Wednesday night. Benjamin Kindel got the scoring started seven minutes into the first period and Gavin McKenna provided the winner with 7:28 left in the third for the Canadians, who held off a late Swedish push to top Group A.

The Americans romped to a victory in their prelim finale, getting a goal and four assists from Alexander Donovan, and two goals and a helper apiece from Mason Moe, Sam Spehar and Nicolas Sykora in a 12-3 win over Germany. The U.S. took control with a six-goal second period, outshooting the Germans 21-1.

Last Meeting

The rivals met a year ago at this stage of the tournament, with Canada coming from behind for a 7-2 semifinal win in Trencin, Slovakia. Maxim Massé and Berkly Catton led the offence with two goals apiece for the Canadians, who scored six unanswered goals over the final 40 minutes, outshooting the Americans 29-13 over that span.

More recently, it was a Canada-U.S. gold medal game at the 2024 IIHF U18 World Championship last spring. McKenna was the star in that one, scoring a hat trick – including a pair of goals in the decisive third period – to lead the Canadians to a 6-4 comeback win for their fifth world title.

What to Watch

Jack Ivankovic has been lights out in the Canadian goal, allowing just a single goal across his two starts and keeping the Swiss and Swedes scoreless for more than 113 minutes to start the tournament. The Mississauga native has fashioned a tournament-leading 0.50 goals-against average and .977 save percentage, adding to his already-impressive international résumé; last November, he backstopped Canada White to a gold medal at the 2023 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge with a 2.51 GAA and .923 SV% across eight games, both tops among netminders who played at least three games, and making 34 saves in the gold medal game. He also earned a gold medal at U18 Worlds, serving as Canada’s third goaltender.

One of only two Canadian Hockey League players on the American roster, U.S. captain Blake Fiddler has felt right at home at Rogers Place. The 6-foot-4 defenceman, who plays his club hockey with the WHL’s Edmonton Oil Kings, recorded a goal and two assists in the preliminary round, opening the scoring in Wednesday’s win over Germany. Fiddler will face a number of familiar faces in the semifinal; the Texas-born blue-liner won gold with Canada White at the 2023 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge before trading in the Maple Leaf for the Stars and Stripes, and will line up Friday against nine players he won gold alongside in Charlottetown.

A Look Back

Canada has not lost to its North American neighbours in summer U18 competition since 2003, and has claimed victory in 13 of the 20 all-time meetings (with three ending in ties).

The Canadians and Americans met in a semifinal thriller when Edmonton hosted the Hlinka Gretzky Cup for the first time in 2018. Dylan Cozens tied things up with a buzzer-beater in the third period before Josh Williams scored in overtime, sending Canada to play for gold with a 6-5 victory.

All-time record: Canada leads 13-4-3 (1-0 in OT/SO)
Canada goals: 85
United States goals: 46

With its semifinal spot secured, Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team goes in search of a perfect preliminary round at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup when it takes on Sweden in the prelim finale Wednesday at Rogers Place.

Last Game

Canada stayed perfect and kept its hold on top spot in Group A on Tuesday night, beating Slovakia 5-1. Cameron Schmidt and Luca Romano led the way with two goals apiece, and Émile Guité added one of his own. The Canadians finished 2-for-3 with the power play and were perfect on four penalty kills, including a late five-minute major.

The Swedes flexed their offensive muscle on Tuesday, scoring four goals in each period in a 12-1 romp over Switzerland. Ivar Stenberg finished with four goals and three assists, Milton Gästrin had two goals and six helpers, and Viktor Klingsell added up two goals and five assists for Sweden, which finished with a 55-19 advantage in shots.

Last Meeting

The last meeting between the teams at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup came in the final prelim game in 2022 in Red Deer. Canada got goals from Calum Ritchie, Zach Benson and Brayden Yager, along with 18 saves from Scott Ratzlaff, to blank the Swedes 3-0 and finish perfect atop Group A.

Most recently, the Canadians and Swedes met in the semifinals of the 2024 IIHF U18 World Championship last spring. A four-goal first period – highlighted by a goal and an assist each from Ryder Ritchie and Tij Iginla – seemingly put the Canadians in control, but a furious Swedish comeback provided a thrilling conclusion in what finished as a 5-4 win for Canada.

What to Watch

Wherever Matthew Schaefer goes, he leads. And wins. The No. 1 pick in the OHL Draft by the Erie Otters in 2023, the Hamilton native burst onto the national scene at the 2023 Canada Winter Games , wearing the ‘C’ with Ontario and scoring the overtime winner in the gold medal game. Nine months later, Schaefer again served as captain and again took home gold, this time with Canada White at the 2023 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge. Then he won gold with Canada at the 2024 IIHF U18 World Championship (although there was no letter involved as an underager), and now he’s got the ‘C’ on his chest at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. So far, so good in Edmonton; Schaefer has two goals and two assists through two games, leading all defencemen in scoring.

A year ago, three players – Berkly Catton, Trevor Connelly and Adam Benak – led the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in scoring with 10 points in five games. Gästrin almost got there himself on Tuesday. The Örnsköldsvik native opened the scoring and added two assists in the first period, had another goal and two helpers in the second and finished his night with two more assists in the third as his line with Stenberg and Klingsell combined for a ridiculous 22 points in the win. The performance was all the more impressive when you consider Gästrin only recorded 16 points (7-9—16) in 41 games with MODO Hockey in Sweden’s U20 national league. What can the terrific trio do for an encore against Canada?

A Look Back

The head-to-head history has been one-sided in summer U18 competition, which may come as a surprise to some considering the place both countries hold as world hockey powers. But Canada has won 17 of 20 against the Swedes, including eight in a row dating back to 2013.

There is history at Rogers Place as well; when Edmonton first hosted the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in 2018, it was a Canada-Sweden matchup in the final. Sasha Mutala and Alexis Lafrenière had two goals each in that game as the Canadians erased an early two-goal deficit to earn a 6-2 win and home-ice gold.

All-time record: Canada leads 17-3 (1-1 in OT/SO)
Canada goals: 86
Sweden goals: 43

Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team is right back to action Tuesday at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, returning to the ice at Rogers Place to take on Slovakia in the second of three prelim games.

Last Game

The Canadians opened their schedule with a statement win Monday, blanking Switzerland 10-0. Cole Reschny led the offensive charge with two goals and three assists, Matthew Schaefer and Émile Guité chipped in with two goals and a helper apiece, and Jack Ivankovic turned aside all 20 shots he faced for the shutout.

Slovakia came up a goal short in a tournament-opening 4-3 overtime loss to Sweden on Monday afternoon, but it certainly wasn’t for lack of effort; the Slovaks scored twice in the final 8:45 to force an extra period. The Europeans spread around the offence; seven different players recorded points, while Michal Pradel was terrific in a losing effort, making 42 saves.

Last Meeting

The teams met five days ago in pre-tournament action in Edmonton, with Canada cruising to a 10-1 victory last Thursday. Braeden Cootes scored twice and added an assist, and Guité added a pair of goals for the Canadians, who scored early – two goals in the first 5:31 – and often.

The last tournament meeting came a year ago in Trencin, where Canada set its single-tournament summer U18 scoring record in a 14-4 victory. Michael Misa was the catalyst up front, recording two goals and four assists, while Ryder Ritchie scored a hat trick. In all, 16 Canadians recorded at least one point.

What to Watch

Canada has plenty of offensive weapons up front, and it was Reschny’s turn to step up Monday. The native of small-town Macklin, Saskatchewan (pop. 1,247) was terrific for the Victoria Royals this season, recording 59 points (21-38—59) in 61 games, good for fifth in WHL rookie scoring and third among 2007-born players (behind Team Canada teammates Gavin McKenna and Benjamin Kindel). Reschny wants Hlinka Gretzky Cup gold to complete his medal collection – he won silver with Saskatchewan at the 2023 Canada Winter Games and bronze with the Saskatoon Blazers at the 2023 Men’s U18 National Club Championship, where he also earned Top Forward honours.

Andreas Straka is bound for North America this season after being selected fourth overall in the CHL Import Draft by the Quebec Remparts. Straka had quite a 2023-24 season with HK Poprad, making his debut in the Slovak Extraliga as a 16-year-old and representing Slovakia as an underager at the 2024 IIHF U18 World Championship, recording three points (1-2—3) in seven games. The Slovak roster also include a familiar name in Adam Nemec; his brother, Simon, was the No. 2 pick by the New Jersey Devils in the 2022 NHL Draft. Nemec is a forward, unlike his brother, who posted 57 points (28-29—57) in 43 games HK Nitra in the Slovak U20 league, and, like Straka, made his Extraliga debut, getting into three games with Nitra.

A Look Back

Canada has been absolutely perfect against Slovakia, winning all 18 meetings dating back to 1997.

The 2016 matchup was the lone game to go past 60 minutes; in that one, Maxime Comtois scored his second goal of the game 4:31 into overtime to help Canada stymie a Slovak comeback and earn a tournament-opening 3-2 victory.

All-time record: Canada leads 18-0 (1-0 in OT/SO)
Canada goals: 109
Slovakia goals: 33