Melgoza Named to U.S. U18 Men’s Select Team’s Coaching Staff

FAIRBANKS – PD Melgoza, assistant coach of the Alaska Nanooks hockey team, has been selected to join the U.S. Under 18 Men’s Select Team’s coaching staff for the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. The tournament is set to take place from August 5-10 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alta. 

The U.S., led by Augustana head coach Garrett Raboin, will look to secure its first gold medal in the tournament since 2003.

“It’s a tremendous honor to represent your country in any international tournament, I’m excited to have the opportunity to do that in Edmonton.” Said Melgoza on the honor, “A big thank you to USA Hockey and GM Marc Boxer on being named to the staff. This will be an experience these kids will remember for the rest of their lives; I’m excited to see them take it in.” 

Melgoza, along with the rest of the staff, will work to select the best players to represent Team USA at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup Camp in St. Paul, Minnesota, from July 26-30. There, the initial 36-man roster competes for a chance to secure a place on the squad. After the team selection, Team USA opens the tournament with a preliminary round contest vs. Czechia on Monday, August 5.

The Hlinka Gretzky Cup is played under a compressed schedule where the tournament lasts less than one week, with each team playing once per day. The U.S. is coming off a third-place finish at the 2023 tournament, which marked its first medal finish since 2016.

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