Malcolm Spence, Matthew Schaefer Named to Hockey Canada IIHF U18 World Championship Roster
Erie, Pennsylvania – The opportunity to wear the Maple Leaf on the international stage will once again present itself for Erie’s Malcolm Spence and Matthew Schaefer, who have been named to the Canada National Men’s Under-18 Team for the upcoming IIHF U18 World Championship.
The 2024 IIHF U18 World Championship will take place from April 25 to May 5, in Espoo and Vantaa, Finland. The announcement of the World Championship roster for Hockey Canada was made early Tuesday afternoon, with the roster being selected by head scout Byron Bonora and Benoit Roy, senior manager of hockey operations.
“We are excited to bring this caliber of young athletes together to begin working with our coaching staff,” said Roy, “Having players who already know how to compete in a short-term tournament will also bring valuable experience and leadership to our team in our quest for a gold medal.”
The two Otters are among just 10 total OHL players – and 19 players in the Canadian Hockey League – to be selected for this premier opportunity on the world’s stage.
Malcolm Spence, the Otters’ alternate captain, finished his sophomore season in Erie with 62 points (19G+43A) in 66 games played – 20 points better than his rookie campaign. In six playoff games with the Otters, Spence found an additional four points (1G+3A). The 17-year-old forward has already surpassed the century mark in career points with 108 points (36G+72A) in 136 total games, and is projected to be a potential first round pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
This will be the second-straight summer that Spence will be a rostered member of an international tournament for his home country, being part of Canada’s gold medal winning National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup last summer.
The top-pick in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection Draft, Matthew Schaefer was a dynamic part of Erie’s revitalized defense in his rookie campaign – showcasing the skills and ability that made him such a highly-regarded prospect. Playing in 56 games during his first major junior season, the 16-year-old acquired 17 points (3G+14A), before adding an additional three points (0G+3A) in six playoff games. Now with a full season under his belt, and a ton of further growth and development to come in his first OHL offseason, Schaefer is projected to be a potential first round pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.
The honor of wearing the maple leaf for Hockey Canada is nothing new for Schaefer; alongside fellow Otters’ rookie Wesley Royston, the Stoney Creek, ON native captained Team Canada White to a World Under-17 Hockey Challenge gold medal in November 2023.
“It’s always an honor to get invited to any Team Canada event.” said Schaefer, “To wear the Leaf is a thing every kid wishes to do when they are older, and I am honored to be here at the U18 tournament, and to be able to put it on with such a great group.”
Erie general manager Dave Brown will be among the staff for Hockey Canada as the Management Group. Brown has represented Erie and the OHL for years as part of Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence.
“Being selected to represent your country is an honor and a great opportunity to show your abilities. Both Malcolm and Matthew are very deserving of this opportunity, and we are excited to see them compete on the world stage.” said Brown, “As an organization, we cherish these opportunities for our players to further their development and bring back their experiences to enhance the Otters organization’s future.”
Prior to the start of the tournament, Canada will play a pair of pre-tournament games against Finland on April 20 and Norway on April 23. Canada’s quest for a gold medal begins April 25 at 12 P.M. ET against Sweden. Canada will also face Czechia on April 26, Switzerland on April 28 and Kazakhstan on April 30 to close out preliminary-round action. The semifinals are set for May 4 before the tournament concludes with the medal games on May 5.
The Erie Otters congratulate Malcolm & Matthew on this tremendous accomplishment, and look forward to seeing them compete for the gold in Finland.
About Hockey Canada’s U18 Team:
Since 2002, Canada has won four gold medals at the IIHF U18 World Championship (2003, 2008, 2013, 2021), in addition to one silver (2005) and four bronze (2012, 2014, 2015, 2023).
For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada’s National Men’s Under-18 Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca or follow through social media on Facebook, X and Instagram.
Stay Informed:
Keep up-to-date with the latest Erie Otters news by visiting OttersHockey.com, or follow along on social media with the Otters Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
About the Erie Otters:
The Erie Otters are an Ontario Hockey League (OHL) team based in Erie, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1996, the Otters have a rich history of excellence both on and off the ice. The team is committed to creating memorable experiences for its fans and contributing to the growth and well-being of the Erie community.
For further information on the Erie Otters and for media inquiries, please contact Shawn Bednard at [email protected].
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