By Hockey Canada

EDMONTON, Alta. – Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team has won the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, edging Czechia 2-1 in the gold medal game Saturday night at Rogers Place.

It’s the third year in a row Canada has won the annual summer under-18 tournament, and the 25th time in 32 tries dating back to 1991.

Liam Kilfoil (Quispamsis, NB/Chicoutimi, LHJMQ) opened the scoring for Canada just over six minutes into the first period, potting his second goal of the tournament and giving the Canadians a lead they would not relinquish.

“Canada’s expectations are always to win,” said head coach Kris Mallette (Kelowna, BC/Kelowna, WHL). “I’m so proud of the group in there. It’s amazing to see all of the coaches’ ideas come to fruition and be on display in a short tournament like this. I’m happy to be able to achieve this with this group…and to win for the third year in a row is extra special.”

Caleb Desnoyers (Saint-Hyacinthe, QC/Moncton, LHJMQ), scored the eventual game-winning goal with 52 seconds left in the opening frame.

Czechia drew within one on a power play with less than 10 seconds remaining, but Jack Ivankovic (Mississauga, ON/Brampton, OHL) locked things down, backstopping the Canadians with an 18-save performance. Ivankovic was lights out for Canada, finishing with four wins to go along with a 0.75 goals-against average and .967 save percentage. He’s just the second goaltender in Canadian summer U18 tournament history to appear in four games and fashion a sub-1.00 GAA, joining Scott Ratzlaff (2022).

“Singing that anthem with all the boys is a memory we will never forget,” said Ivankovic. “It’s my favourite song tonight, that’s for sure. We came out of the gate flying. We knew it would be a hard game with a gold medal on the line, but we just kept working and got it done.”

A full game summary can be found at HlinkaGretzkyCup.ca.

“This is every kid’s dream [to win a gold medal for Canada],” said alternate captain Gavin McKenna (Whitehorse, YT/Medicine Hat, WHL). We are all so proud to wear this Maple Leaf… we battled hard all week long, and to win this with this group is something we will remember forever.”

Canada finished the preliminary round in first place in Group A after wins over Switzerland (10-0), Slovakia (5-1) and Sweden (2-1). It earned its spot in the gold medal game with a 5-1 win over the United States in the semifinals.

Cole Reschny (Macklin, SK/Victoria, WHL) and Émile Guité (Chambly, QC/Chicoutimi, LHJMQ) finished as Canada’s co-leaders in scoring, recording three goals and four assists apiece.

Sweden wins bronze

Earlier in the day, Sweden won the bronze medal with a 6-2 win over the United States.

Eric Nilson led the offence with a hat trick, while Love Härenstam made 34 saves. 

It is the eighth time Sweden has won summer U18 bronze, and 13th medal overall.

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