Warren seeks Canada spot
EDMONTON — Centre Cam Warren and coach Ryan Oulahen of the Ontario Hockey League’s North Bay Battalion are among those who open training camp Monday for the Canadian entry in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
Warren is one of 27 hopefuls named to the roster for the national summer under-18 camp, to be held through Saturday at Rogers Place and the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology Arena. Oulahen is to serve as Canada’s head coach.
The Battalion’s first-round pick, sixth overall, in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection from the Toronto Jr. Canadiens U16s, Warren scored seven goals and earned 22 assists for 29 points in 58 games in his rookie season. The right shot added four goals and two assists for six points in 10 playoff games.
The initial Canadian roster for the tournament, which is to run Aug. 3-8 at Edmonton, numbers 15 forwards, nine defencemen and three goaltenders selected by Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence under general manager Alan Millar. All invitees are Canadian Hockey League performers, with 10 from the OHL, 11 from the Western Hockey League and six from the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League.
“We are excited to unveil the 27 players who will begin the road to the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup at training camp in Edmonton,” Millar said in a release. “This is a talented and well-rounded group of young players. Our staff have worked tirelessly to identify a roster that we believe gives us the best chance to be successful on home ice.”
Canada plays Sweden on Thursday and Czechia on Saturday in pre-tournament games before the roster is finalized ahead of the start of the eight-team tournament.
Canada opens the Hlinka Gretzky Cup against Switzerland on Aug. 3. It faces Slovakia on Aug. 4 and Sweden on Aug. 5 to complete group play before semifinal games Aug. 7 and the medal games Aug. 8.
Oulahen, the Battalion’s head coach since Dec. 10, 2019, was an assistant at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Edmonton when Canada last won gold.
“It’s very special to be able to represent Canada and to work with our country’s best available players for this age group,” said Oulahen.
TSN and RDS will telecast all preliminary-round games, semifinals and medal games from Rogers Place.
