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Hlinka Gretzky Cup alumni went early and often at the 2024 NHL Draft, with 10 first-round selections from four countries leading a group of 53 who pulled on an NHL jersey for the first time at the Sphere in Las Vegas.
The first alumnus off the board was the fourth player selected. Cayden Lindstrom scored twice (including a goal in the gold medal game) and added an assist in five games to help Canada win a 24th summer U18 gold at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
In all, three of the first nine picks and six of the first 20 were alumni, and six countries were represented.
Cole Beaudoin, Berkly Catton, Ben Danford, Sam Dickinson, Charlie Elick, Carter George, Liam Greentree, Tanner Howe, Ollie Josephson, Ryerson Leenders, Cayden Lindstrom, Maxim Massé, Henry Mews, Zayne Parekh, Justin Poirier, Ryder Ritchie, Carson Wetsch
Emil Hemming, Aron Kiviharju, Markus Loponen, Julius Miettinen, Niilopekka Muhonen, Heikki Ruohonen, Joona Saarelainen, Kim Saarinen, Veeti Väisänen, Eemil Vinni
Dominik Badinka, Ales Cech, Maxmilian Curran, Jakub Fibigr, Adam Jecho, Adam Jiricek, Ondrej Kos, Jakub Milota, Petr Sikora
Trevor Connelly, Joe Connor, Tanner Henricks, Adam Kleber, Tory Pitner, AJ Spellacy, Mac Swanson, Will Zellers
Alfons Freij, Gabriel Eliasson, Linus Eriksson, Melvin Fernström, Lucas Pettersson, Leo Sahlin Wallenius
Christian Kirsch, Leon Muggli, Basile Sansonnens
The Canadians’ total includes 16 members of the team that won gold last summer in Breclav and Trencin (of the 17 who were draft eligible), highlighted by captain Berkly Catton. The Seattle first-round selection (eighth overall) scored eight goals in five games—the second-most ever by a Canadian at a summer U18 tournament—and co-led the tournament in scoring with 10 points (8-2—10).
Five of the top 10 point-getters from the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup were chosen. American Trevor Connelly (5-5—10), who finished tied with Catton and Czech forward Adam Benak (who isn’t eligible until the 2025 draft), went to the Vegas Golden Knights with the 19th pick in the first round.
The 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup runs Aug. 5-10 in Edmonton, putting the top prospects for the 2025 NHL Draft on display in best-on-best competition. Single-game tickets are now on sale, beginning as low as $20 a game, with multiple ticket package options also available.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit HlinkaGretzkyCup.ca.
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