Team Canada has assembled a high-profile roster for the upcoming Hlinka Gretzky Cup. The squad is determined to return to the top of the podium after securing a bronze medal in the previous edition of the tournament.
Landon DuPont’s 73-point campaign and the captaincy
The leadership of the squad falls to defenceman Landon DuPont, who serves as the only returning player from the bronze-winning team. According to the report, DuPont is expected to be a premier prospect in the 2027 NHL Draft, bringing a level of experience and playmaking that is rare for this age group.
DuPont's recent performance with Everett of the WHL underscores his readiness for the international stage. He recorded 18 goals and 73 points across 63 regular-season games,and further cemented his value by contributing 23 points in 18 playoff appearances. This run helped lead Everett to a WHL title and a spot in the Memorial Cup Final, establishing DuPont as the tactical anchor for Team Canada.
The 6-foot-5 presence of Alexis Joseph
Adding significant physical presence to the lineup is center Alexis Joseph of the Saint John Sea Dogs. Standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 201 pounds, Joseph has drawn comparisons to NHL legend Evgeni Malkin due to his versatility and scoring prowess. Craig Button, the Director of Scouting for TSN, has characterized Joseph as an elite center with exceptional playmaking abilities.
Joseph is no stranger to the pressure of international competition. As the report notes, Joseph previously led the Canada Red team to gold at the U17 tournament, where he tallied 13 points in just five games. While he experienced a setback in the U18 quarter-finals during a loss to Sweden, his trajectory suggests he will be a primary offensive engine in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
Brock England and the underage impact of Maddox Schultz
The roster is further bolstered by Brock England of the Seattle Thunderbirds, who posted 21 goals and 51 points during a strong rookie season in the WHL.. TSN's Craig Button highlighted England as a dangerous asset in all phases of the game, specifically noting his effectiveness on both the power play and the penalty kill.
Team Canada is also gambling on youth by including underage talents Maddox Schultz and Liam Pue. Schultz, playing for the Regina Pats, recorded 15 goals and 29 points in 34 games last season. Meanwhile, Pue demonstrated his potential during the U17 tournament with 8 points in five games. These young players are joined by Brock Cripps of the Prince Albert Raiders, who provided 37 points in 62 games, and Ryerson Edgar of the Niagara IceDogs, who offers rookie consistency to the depth chart.
Chasing a 26th title after the bronze medal dip
For Team Canada, the Hlinka Gretzky Cup is less about participation and more about maintaining a historical dynasty. Canada currently holds a record 25 tournament titles and recently enjoyed a dominant gold medal streak from 2022 to 2024. The shift to a bronze medal last year represents a rare lapse in dominance that the current roster is specifically designed to correct.
This drive for gold is part of a broader pattern in Canadian hockey, where the Hlinka Gretzky Cup serves as the primary litmus test for the next generation of NHL stars. By blending established 2027 draft prospects with underage wildcards, Hockey Canada is attempting to ensure that the gap between their talent pool and the rest of the world remains wide.
Whether Sweden's U18 victory will repeat in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup
While the roster looks formidable on paper, there are lingering questions regarding the international competition.. The source focuses exclusively on the Canadian side, leaving it unclear which specific threats from other nations—such as the Swedish team that defeated Canada in the U18 quarter-finals—pose the greatest risk to Canada's gold ambitions.
Additionally, it remains to be seen how the underage players , specifically Maddox Schultz and Liam Pue, will integrate into a locker room led by a seasoned captain like Landon DuPont. Whether this mix of raw youth and draft-ready polish can withstand the intensity of a summer tournament is the central tension of the campaign.
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