It’s that time of the summer where the hockey withdrawals finally end. The first week of August comes the baseline to the NHL draft season for junior hockey players. This year, it is players born in 2007 that will compete at the annual Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Canada will host the tournament in Edmonton dating August 5-10. The Canadians are a part of Group A, along with Sweden, Slovakia, and Switzerland. Group B consists of USA, Czechia, Finland, and Germany. A few members of the Recruit Scouting team dove into each team and will give you an idea of what to expect at this year’s August U18 tournament!
Canada: Team Canada as always should be in medal contention as they bring back a rather stacked squad. Led by the next big phenom 16-year-old Gavin McKenna, the cousin of Connor Bedard looks to etch his name in the Canadian record books. The 2026 draft eligible will have plenty of talent riding shot gun on his line with Cam Schmidt (2025 eligible), Ben Kindel (2025 eligible) , or Emile Guite (2025 eligible) riding the opposite wing. Centre depth will be the Canadians biggest asset as they have two WHL stars Braeden Cootes and Cole Reschny, QMJHL force Caleb Desnoyers or the OHL’s Jack O’Brien alternating in those top two centre roles with all of them being eligible for the 2025 draft. Reschny will be a name to watch as the talented playmaker carved the WHL up with virtually no help on a rebuilding Royals squad. His ability to exploit open ice is huge as he reads the ice so quickly and can fit the puck in such tight windows. He is a lock for the Top 15 in the 2025 draft and could even sneak into the back half of the Top 10 if he takes another step. The defence will be producing in bunches as it has the likes of WHL rookie defenceman point leader Reece Hamilton who will look to start his draft year off on the right foot and build off an incredibly strong rookie year. Hamilton like 7th overall pick and teammate, Carter Yakemchuk, loves to jump into the rush and drift into the slot when permissible, while defence isn’t exactly a strong suit for him, he will have the likes of hulking Peyton Kettles or two-way star Quinn Beauchesne playing opposite him to offset his lack of defensive prowess. If the back end ever dried up offensively the team’s X-factor Cameron Schmidt will surely be able to help pick up the slack. The electric Schmidt feasted on goaltenders in the U17s last year and is looking to prove every GM that his size doesn’t hold him back. The 5’8” 153lbs forward plays like he’s 6’4” 220lbs leaving defenders in his wake after he turns on the speed and dekes a poor goalie out of his jock. Schmidt racked up 5 goals through 8 games at the U17s and potted 31 goals as a rookie in the WHL, so expect him to lead Canada in goals. If Canada can’t outscore their opponents, then they have a brick wall in net with Brampton’s Jack Ivankovic. Ivankovic while smaller than your average goalie standing at 6’ even looks to be the next Trey Augustine. A technically precise goalie that leaves next nothing down low should have the starting job from Lucas Beckman with easily. Ivankovic should be the highest OHL drafted in the 1st round in a very long time and looks to be the best CHL goalie available in the 2025 draft class. Canada should be in contentions for Top 3 finish and look for them to lead the tournament in goals scored.
Key Players: Cameron Schmidt, Cole Reschny, Jack Ivankovic, Gavin McKenna
Expectation: Gold Medal
Czechia: The Czechs roll into Edmonton coming off a silver medal finish on home ice and a 4th place finish the last time the tournament was in Edmonton two years ago. This team on paper, however, is better than those teams. Their superstar from last year’s tournament, Adam Benak is returning and has redemption on his mind. The Czechs have some fire power at the top of their lineup in Benak, Adam Novotony (2026 draft), Tomas Poletin, and Matej Pekar, who has been dynamite in his young international career scoring at a near 2 PPG pace last season with the Czech u17 team. The depth is better than we have seen before, with guys like Vit Zahejsky, Dominik Pavlik, Vojtech Cihar looking to have breakout tournaments. The back end is led by 6’6 defenseman Radim Mrtka, who is one of the top defensemen eligible for next year’s draft. The blue line is not quite as deep as the forwards, but dual citizen Vladimir Dravecky choosing to switch from Slovakia to Czech internationally will certainly help the top 4 on defense. Goaltending was a strong point for the Czechs last year and shouldn’t see a decline this year as they bring in one of the top draft eligibles in Ondrej Stebetak. Michal Orsulak is an intriguing prospect who is more than a quality backup.
Expecation: Gold Medal
Key Players: F- Adam Benak, F- Adam Novotony, D- Radim Mrtka, G- Ondrej Stebetak
Finland: Finland come into this year’s Hlinka Gretzky Cup (HG) wanting to improve on their 4th place finish in last year’s tournament. They will also be looking to have a better group stage then they did last year. Yes, they beat Canada in their opener 9-6 but it took a goal by Tuomas Suoniemi with 3 seconds to go on the final day to get themselves into the semi-final. If Finland wants to compete at this year’s tournament it will have to be their top players taking charge. Max Westergård is the name on most lists that everyone will be watching but I believe the main name to watch will be Jasu Mensonen. Mensonen looked really good at the U20 level as a DY-1 while also being a point per game player at the U18 level in Finland this past season. He is a wizard with the puck on his stick and has a great drive to his game. He loves having the puck on his stick and does a good job creating space for himself. Out of all the players on Finland’s roster this year, Mensonen is the one I’ll be watching closely as I believe he is the top Finish player for this upcoming draft. Another player I will be watching closely will be Jesper Kotajärvi. The 5’11” defenseman out of Tappara will be a very interesting watch throughout this season. He’s a smart defenseman who gets the job done defensively and is capable of playing 20 minutes a night, which he has been doing for the majority of his 16-year-old year at the U20 level. He’s also a solid puck mover, capable of making a good lead pass and skating it up himself. Kotajärvi should be one of the leaders on the blueline for Finland and should also be a leader of time on ice for them as well. Veeti Ruotsalainen is going to be the dark horse on my viewing list for Finland at this tournament. He’s an exceptional skater with a good IQ level and loves to get up into the play. He also does not shy away from the physical game which for a defenseman standing 5’10” I have to say, I love. He was a good powerplay QB for Kärpät this season and I expect he will get a chance to do so at the HG for the Fins. This year’s tournament will be an uphill battle for Finland with Sweden, Canada and Czechia all sending very strong teams to the tournament this season.
Key Players: F- Mex Westergard, F- Jasu Mensonen, D- Jesper Kotajarvi, G- Patrik Kerkola
Expectation: Play for a medal
Germany: This German roster is full of fun quirks that should make them a fun watch. On the back end, Max Bleicher has been making waves since being a 1st round selection in the CHL import draft and should be the defensive catalyst for the German side. He will likely create a pair with Carlos Handel another 1st round CHL import. The two were teammates on the German squad that promoted the Germans out of IIHF D1A this spring. If there was one reason to watch the German team this year it would have to be marquee forward David Lewandowski. He’s been dominant at the German U20 level, and plays a remarkably refined game that focuses on speed, deception and quick thinking to outmaneuver defenders. His play has earned him early consideration for Dusseldorfer EG’s men’s team in the DEL, no small feat considering the league’s somewhat recent hot streak of highly drafted players dating back to the start of the decade. Look for him to be joined by Dustin Willhöft, who unlike Lewandowski’s practicality, brings all the fun to the German side with his creativity and skill. The pair will be heavily relied as the the tournament goes on and will be instrumental if they hope to knock a win off of one of the heavyweights in Group B; which might very well be possible with the Finns and United States being somewhat within reach. Who knows, maybe there’s still some room for romance in hockey!
Players to watch: F- David Lewandowski, F- Dustin Willhöft, D- Max Bleicher, D- Carlos Handel
Expectation: Play tighter games against the top teams and not finish in last
Slovakia: The Slovaks have the potential to surprise at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup thanks to some key top-end talent. Luka Radivojevic leaving the team is a major defensive hole for the Slovaks, as well as overall, but still the Slovakians have a few notable talents who could make an impact. Slovakia’s key player will likely be Jan Chovan. A potential high pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, Chovan is a bit reminiscent of fellow Slovak Dalibor Dvorsky, being a tall, capable center with a solid two-way foundation. Fitting that like Dvorsky, Chovan is a CHL Import Draft pick of the Sudbury Wolves. Chovan lacks the high creativity and defensive strengths of Dvorsky but has the same well-rounded skill that’s translatable to other levels. He’s one of the Slovakian’s best bets to both find the back of the opponent’s net and keep pucks out of his own. One player to watch on defense is Patryk Zubek. The absence of Radivojevic opens up a bigger opportunity for Zubek to emerge. Zubek is somewhat of a newbie in the international scene, the Polish-born defenseman having recently gained Slovakian citizenship. Zubek has been one of the most dominant two-way defenders in the Slovakian junior leagues, being a strong and physically pressing defender with a solid passing game. Zubek’s 42 assists & 51 points led the Slovak U20 for defensemen. At 6’3 and 200lbs, he’ll also add a layer of intimidation to opposing offenses. This will he a good test for Zubek who’s been dominant in league play, but unproven internationally after a quiet U18’s. Both not eligible until 2026, Tomas Chrenko & Adam Nemec will both be key assets for Slovakia if not their likely top players. Both had been dominant for the Slovaks at the U18’s, and look to repeat at the Hlinka. Chrenko is a mature forward who can do a bit of everything on the ice, even if he’s not the biggest or strongest player. Nemec, the brother of New Jersey Devils defenseman Simon, is one of the top players in Slovakia, and like fellow 26′ eligible Chrenko, a top player for the Slovakians in the U18’s. Nemec is a highly electric forward with strong mobility and puckhadling skills. Both players are likely to be highly touted in 2026 and have a stage to start some buzz early. Also worth watching for Slovakia’s deep 2026 crop is two-way winger Tobias Tomik. If Slovakia is to medal, it’s likely on the backs of their youngest options.
Players To Watch : F- Jan Chovan, D- Patryk Zubek, F- Tomas Chrenko, F- Adam Nemec
Expectation: Finish 5th
Sweden: Following up an 06 class that saw no players selected in the first round for the first time since 2010, the 07 Swedes have returned to the contenders table with a vengeance. You would be forgiven for believing that the Swedes are coming in shorthanded with absence Anton Frondell (injury) and Victor Eklund (aged out), but this lineup is oozing talent. When boasting talents like U18 returnee Jakob Ihs Wozniak; multiple first-round candidates in Sacha Boumedienne, Oliwer Sjostrom, Filip Ekberg and Viktor Klingsell; or the 2008-born dynamo Viggo Bjorck, a handicap almost feels appropriate. If that weren’t enough they are also going to battle with Love Härenstam in goal, a early contender for best goalie in this year’s draft class after his remarkable performance as the starter as starter for the U18s last fall. Top to bottom, this Swedish team promises to bring some high-flying offence which should make them one of the more exciting teams to watch this tournament. The mission for the Swedish side is simple: Gold or Bust. It’s been 17 long years since the Swedish left this tournament with a gold medal and this is probably their greatest opportunity to break that streak.
Players to watch: D- Sacha Boumedienne, F- Viggo Bjorck, F- Ivar Stenberg, G- Love Harenstam
Expectation: Gold Medal
Switzerland: This team does have some talent, no doubt. But, compared to teams of past years, the depth likely won’t be able to keep up throughout the games against Canada and Sweden back-to-back to begin their tournament, which will likely be their downfall early on. An intriguing player I’ll be keeping my eye on, is HC Davos defenseman Guus Van der Kaaij. He’s a candidate to fly up the draft boards early with a good performance this week. On the offensive side, recently signed Saint John Sea Dogs forward Florian Schenk is expected to lead the offense along with another Davos player in Right Winger Lars Steiner. They have a better all-around team as opposed to Germany, but no sure-fire top prospects this time around as opposed to their David Lewandowski. There’s no expectation for them to finish anything other than last in the group, anything above that is worthy of a pat on the back.
Three Players to Watch: Guus Van der Kaaij– D, Florian Schenk– F, Lars Steiner– F
Expectation: 7th Place.
USA: Team USA brings an impressive roster to the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup where they will match up against Czechia in their preliminary round debut (August 5th), followed by Finland (August 6th), and conclude against Germany (August 7th). Team USA heads into this tournament looking to medal for the fourth time since 2013 and hoping to improve upon its third place finish in 2023. One important thing to note about the US team is that they tend to bring players outside of its national development program in order to get an extended look at several players that they don’t get a chance to work with on a daily basis, while also giving them an opportunity to shine on a national level. This year’s 23-man roster includes 20 players that are eligible for the 2025 NHL draft and 3 late 2007 born players who are draft eligible the following year (G – Carter Casey, G – Charles Menard, D – Tommy Bleyl). Of the 23 players, 10 played in the USHL, 7 represented their highschool team, 4 played in various AAA leagues across the country, and 2 played Major Junior hockey in Canada. 2024 WJC assistant coach Garrett Raboin looks to lead a strong offensive team to its first Hlinka Gretzky Cup gold medal since 2003.
Three notable players to keep an eye on are: D- Jacob Rombach, F- Ben Kevan, F- Travis Hayes
Expectation: Compete for a Medal