Who to Watch at the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup

Tonight the inaugural Hlinka Gretzky Cup will begin and I just wanted to give you the heads up on some of the talent that will be gracing the ice in Edmonton and Red Deer for the next 5 days!

Here is the schedule and here are the official rosters for your viewing pleasure.

What I’m going to do here is just give you a brief overview of the players you should be paying attention to if you end up watching the games on TV or actually going to the games.

We’ll start with the lesser known teams and work our way to the Canadian team because Canada dominates this tourney nearly every year and it usually has the most talent on its roster.

(Sh*t! I just saw Derek Neumeier’s title to his post over at FC Hockey… My bad! Check his post out. It’s very good! Hopefully, some traffic love will appease the blogging gods for using basically the same title…)

First, a little video and if you haven’t, please SUBSCRIBE to our channel!

SWITZERLAND

Rochette has dual citizenship (CAN/SUI) and has spent the last 5 years plying his trade in the Swiss system. This year he was drafted by the Chicoutimi Sagunéens 7th overall in the QMJHL draft.

2019 draft eligible

A dynamic playmaker who has good vision and the ability to make passes in traffic. He is a fluid skater and is skilled with the puck. (link)

Delemont is part of a new breed of defenseman coming to the forefront of hockey. The small offensive defenseman.

2020 draft eligible

Delemont makes up for his lack of size with deft skating abilities and offensive play. He has been productive on the back end at nearly every level he has played at. Confidence and mobility with the puck on the blue line, cerebral decision making. (link)

SLOVAKIA

Drafted 1st overall by the Saint John Sea Dogs in the most recent CHL import draft, it’s been a while since a Slovak has been this hyped but Cajkovic is the most talented player on Team Slovakia by far and will be impossible to miss.

2019 draft eligible

Cajkovic is pure offense from his shot all the way down to his fancy feet that deke and dangle their way towards premium scoring chances. (link)

Slovakia’s top 2020 eligible prospect will lace ’em up for the team and provide some offense from the blueline.

2020 draft eligible

A composed two-way defender who can make quick decision with the puck and move well laterally. His stride is long and efficient, it makes it simple for him to jump up in the rush off a first pass. (link)

CZECH REPUBLIC

Saint John also added this talented Czech in the import draft this year. Oilers prospect Ostap Safin, should he get sent back to junior, is going to have a couple of fine forwards to play with in Prikryl and Cajkovic next season.

2019 draft eligible

Highly skilled centre. Provides leadership and is a scoring threat whenever he is on the ice. Was a standout player on a team that could not seem to get it going during World Under-17 Challenge. High hockey IQ and always seems to be in the right place. Can play the point on the power play. Top prospect for 2018 CHL Import draft with potential to develop into pro prospect. (link)

Martin Hugo Has is a massive defender who’ll be suiting up for Tampere in the SM-Liiga next season. He’ll draw the scouts attention simply due to his size and physicality.

2019 draft eligible

He possesses an absolute cannon for a shot from the blue line, gets pucks through traffic. Thinks the game well in his own zone, doesn’t just throw the puck away but he is proactive with the puck on his stick. (link)

RUSSIA

Zaitsev was selected by the Red Deer Rebels in the import draft this year and will be suiting up for them in the upcoming season. So there’s a good reason for Rebels fans to take in Russia’s games.

2019 draft eligible

Wonderful skater with strong agility and edge work that gets him into prime set-up areas with regularity. Zaitsev was a top-six player for most of the year, centering either the first or second line. He has good size and keen vision, but he also lends support well below the circles in his own end. Zaitsev seems more like a playmaker than a shooter, but his ability to think ahead of time and properly rank the best options is what separates him from most 2019-eligible pivots. (link)

Russia’s no.1 dman is slated to be one of the most important pieces to their team at this tournament.

Mobile, two-way defenceman. Excellent skater, escapes hits with his skating agility. Really smooth and effortless skater – smart positional defender who transitions quickly. Hard guy to forecheck and can skate the puck out of trouble. He lacks size and strength. Needs to add a little strength for puck battles, as his compete can only take him so far. Loads of upside to his game. (link)

2019 draft eligible

Podkolzin will most likely be manning Russia’s top line at the tournament.

2019 draft eligible

Podkolzin is one of those noticeable players because he works extremely hard but also finds a way to be involved in most quality chances for his team. He busts his rump every shift, so it’s no coincidence the puck seems to always find him. He also owns a deadly shot. (link)

FINLAND

SPEED! He’ll be one of the faster players at the tournament. So you might actually miss him if you’re not paying attention.

2019 draft eligible

Diminutive yet dangerous goal scorer who hunts for pucks and is willing to pay a high price to grab them. Altonen has speed and a heavy shot that keeps both defenders and goalies honest, so his pump fakes usually leads to a lot of bodies sliding across the deck. His combination of speed and elite stickhandling terrorizes unsure opponents. (link)

Kokkonen is the straw that stirs the drink for this Finland team. Look for him to be a massive factor in the team’s success or lack thereof.

2019 draft eligible

One of best defenceman in this age group. Kokkonen has already seen time in Liiga playing for Jukurit. Jumps into the play, has good offensive instincts. Has a very good shot that he keeps low and accurate. Can be physical when needed to separate the opponent from the puck. (link)

Scored at nearly a point-per-game at last year’s u18’s, he should be an important contributor to Finland’s offense this year as well.

2020 eligible

The most interesting aspect of Lundell’s game is his maturity. His hockey IQ is excellent and his defensive play and positioning are much better than would be expected from the player of his age. Lundell has solid hands but he doesn’t make unnecessary dekes for the sake of being flashy. He focuses on simple yet efficient play instead. (link)

SWEDEN

He will challenge Alexis Lafreniere for the scoring title at this tournament and for the 1st overall selection in 2020. I think he’d be a top-10 pick in this year’s draft if he were able to be selected a year early.

2020 draft eligible

A 2020 draft eligible who has been touted as the next great forward coming out of Sweden for many years now. Holtz has been playing above his age since he was a pre-teen and actually spent some time last year playing at Sweden’s top junior level in the SuperElit, where he scored a productive 8 points in 11 games. Holtz has been dominant against his own age group for years now, and he is well known for his instinctive offensive play, fundamental scoring abilities and intelligent well rounded offensive game. (link)

Returns for his second kick at the can in this tourney. Has a motor that never stops and will be an integral part of Sweden’s leadership core.

2019 draft eligible

Described as a dynamic power forward who doesn’t take shifts off. Can create offense on his own with crafty puck handling and explosiveness on the attack. (link)

This year’s high-end smooth skating right-shot 2-way defender out of Sweden is Victor Soderstrom. Will anchor the Swedish defense along with Tobias Bjornfot.

2019 draft eligible

He is a balanced defender who shows terrific skating abilities both with and without the puck. He can play a dependable defensive game, a mobile offensive game, or a hard-nosed physical game depending on the situations he adjusts to. His puck moving side is quite efficient. He has a turn and burn transitional game in which he gets pucks into the offensive zone productively. (link)

From all accounts, Bjornfot is a SOLID two-way defender who’s more talented on the defensive side of the puck than the offensive. Not to say that he’s not offensively gifted as his 22pts in 42 games for Djurgarden suggest there IS offense there but he may find that playing a more shut-down role may benefit him more in this tournament.

2019 draft eligible

There are not many flaws in Bjornfot’s defensive game. He plays physically in the corners and in front of the net, maintains solid gap control, and rarely gets beaten in one-on-one situations. (link)

USA

Ridiculously talented sniper currently cutting up the OHL for Hamilton. A likely candidate to lead the US in scoring this week.

2019 draft eligible

Kaliyev is that goal scoring winger who plays such a composed and controlled style of game. He has confidence with the puck on his stick and instinctive abilities that are a great contributor to his goal scoring success. He is a big kid who has slick puck controlling abilities, a wicked release that can stun a goalie, and the ability to score from anywhere with the puck on his stick. (link)

The only goalie on our list today. Wolf backed up Carter Hart last year in Everett and is expected to take over the starter’s role in 2018/19.

2019 draft eligible

An athletic net minder who suffocates first chance opportunities. He has excellent reflexes with his lower body and despite not being a bigger goalie, he makes up for it with his quickness and awareness.

CANADA

The next great Canadian scorer is amongst you. 40+ goals as a 16-year-old in the QMJHL is mad and I’m jealous I’m not in Edmonton to watch this talent. Watch, someone will tag him with the old “Generational” this week. He might be the next Mike Bossy, who knows? All I do know is the kid scores at will and he’ll be lighting up junior oppositions for the next two seasons.

2020 draft eligible

 Lafreniere is an elite scoring winger who possess one of the most lethal shots from a junior player we have seen in a while. Controls the game when he is on the ice, dictates the play and pace. He has great hands and can flash skill at times, making defenders look silly.(link)

Krebs will be, at worst, a top-ten pick in this year’s draft. He’s drawn some comparisons to Jonathan Toews due to his outstanding two-way play. Was the WHL’s first overall pick in 2016.

2019 draft eligible

Dynamic center with leadership traits, game-changing speed and creativity. Krebs can be a stopper in the defensive zone and a scoring threat in the opposing end. He is the kid you summon to take all the big draws or deliver a game-changing play. (link)

The 2018 WHL Rookie of the Year, Cozens reminds me a bit of Jeff Carter in that the release on his shot is absolutely deadly. He’s got Carter’s size but I don’t think he has his skating unfortunately. Not far off mind you but that shot though… Wow! Should be a top-ten pick next June in Vancouver.

2019 draft eligible

Cozens has a great shot and knows how to finish in a variety of ways, including roofing a backhander from in close. He competes hard in all three zones and creates separation in open ice thanks to his above-average speed. (link)

Scored big at the u17’s last year with 7pts in 5 games. Dach has that Getzlaf size/skill thing going for him. He’s also not the type to shy away from the rough stuff. Could be unstoppable once he gets his weight up to the 215lb range. Not the fastest buggy on the track though.

2019 draft eligible

Dach is a man among boys, which is going to spell a lot of trouble for teams trying to defend against him. Don’t let his size fool you, however: Dach is also incredibly skilled and patient with the puck. Displaying a style of hockey similar to a young Joe Thornton, he uses his large frame and long reach to maintain possession and work a cycle while scanning for opportunities to set up scoring chances for his teammates. (link)

Byram should be a top-5 pick in the 2019 draft. He’s such a good skater and he works his edges so well. He’ll be a top-pairing defender in the NHL someday that also QBs the powerplay. Not only that but there’s an old-school element to his game as well if you know what I mean. Shades of Denis Potvin maybe?

2019 draft eligible

Tough-as-nails defender with deceptive agility and puck handling who is earmarked for a top pairing at the NHL level. Byram is an outstanding puck mover who makes good decisions, but his powerful back skating helps him retreat in time to thwart counterattacks. He stands up at his blue line and rapidly transitions from defense to offense. (link)

Local boy, Matthew Robertson, who plays for the hometown Edmonton Oil Kings, is a smooth-skating two-way defender. Will most likely be tasked with being a shut-down defender on this Team Canada due to his high-end defense and his excellent skating.

2019 draft eligible

Earning minutes on the top penalty kill unit and power play unit as a 16 year old. A fluid skating assertive two-way defender who hs elite footwork and transitional game. He processes the game better than anyone else and makes great reads in transition. Mobile on the blue line and able to create shooting lanes with his footwork. Defends the rush well and rarely ever gets beat wide. (link)

So big thanks to draftgeek.ca, The Sporting News (Kournianos), and Future Considerations because that’s where the majority of the quotes came from. Click some of the links above to get more information.

I hope you enjoy the tournament!