It’s summertime hockey, baby.
The Hlinka Gretzky Cup returns to Alberta for the first time in 2018 and just the second time since Canada started sharing hosting duties with Czechia and Slovakia.
Canada, which has won this event 22 times, skipped the tournament in 2021, and 2020 didn’t happen altogether due to COVID-19. The two-time defending champions, Russia, will not participate, so there won’t be a repeat winner in 2022.
Still, Canada looks like one of the favorites with multiple potential top 10 picks from the 2023 draft on the roster. And that doesn’t include Adam Fantilli and Connor Bedard, who are slated to represent Canada at the U-20 level.
What’s great about this event, and maybe more so than the U-18 World Hockey Championship, is it’s the first chance of the season to get a good look at the upcoming draft class’ top talent. It’s a bit different this year, with many of the top eligible players — Bedard and Slovakia’s Dalibor Dvorsky, for example — instead focusing on the World Junior Championship, which takes place a few days after the Hlinka. But there’s no lack of talent, so the scouting intrigue will be high.
In no particular order, here’s a look at 15 players you need to know — it’s not a ranking, but 15 standouts that’ll command your attention once the event begins on Sunday:
Cameron Allen, D (CAN)
Allen had a spectacular rookie campaign in the OHL, winning the OHL Rookie of the Year award with 37 points in 65 games. Named Canada’s captain, the speedy, strong, physical defender is as confident as they come and does a good job of controlling the game’s pace with the puck on his stick. He’s unselfish, has a quick release on his shot and is built to be a prototypical modern-day defenseman. This is his time to shine.
Quentin Musty, F (USA)
The Americans rarely do well at this event — their last medal was in 2016, and their last gold was 2003. But Musty is the clear favorite to watch this year as a player many expect to go early in the 2023 draft. Selected first overall at the 2021 OHL draft, Musty had a respectable 31 points in his first season with Sudbury and was named to the OHL’s second all-rookie team. A dynamic playmaker, Musty keeps opposing defenders guessing and uses his quick feet to blow by them and create offensive opportunities.
Calum Ritchie, F (CAN)
After trailing Zach Benson by a point for the overall scoring title at the 2021 Capital City Challenge, Ritchie is back and ready for more. He and Benson…
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