OHL talent representing Canada at 2025 U18 Men’s World Championship

Photo credit: Tim Austen/IIHF
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May 3

For the first time in program history, Canada are back-to-back champions at the U18 World Championships.

Canada shutout Sweden 7-0 behind a 28-save performance from Jack Ivankovic (Brampton Steelheads) while the Brady Martin (Soo Greyhounds) scored twice. Jack Nesbitt (Windsor Spitfires), Xavier Villeneuve (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada), Ethan Czata (Niagara IceDogs), Jackson Smith (Tri=City Americans) and Braeden Cootes (Seattle Thunderbirds) also found the back of the net as Canada took home its sixth U18’s title.

Ivankovic and Martin were named to the tournament’s All-Star team while the Steelheads netminder was also named the tournament’s top goaltender.

Earlier in the day, the USA claimed bronze after a 4-3 overtime victory against Slovakia. Blake Fiddler (Edmonton Oil Kings) scored the opening goal of the game and in his hometown of Frisco, TX., secured a bronze medal.

May 2

Canada booked its spot in the final of the U18’s World Championships after a 4-0 win over Slovakia.

Brampton’s Jack Ivankovic stopped all 24 shots he faced to record his first shutout of the tournament. Blainville-Boisbriand’s Xavier Villeneuve had a goal and an assist while Victoria’s Cole Reschny, Windsor’s Jack Nesbitt and Niagara’s Ryan Roobroeck each scored.

Post-game, Ivankovic, Reschny and Seattle’s Braeden Cootes were named as Canada’s three best players of the tournament.

April 30

Cole Reschny (Victoria Royals) was the hero for Canada as he scored the overtime winner in a 3-2 win over Czechia in Wednesday’s quarterfinal.

Reschny had also scored earlier in the game while Jackson Smith (Tri-City Americans) also found the back of the net for Canada who trailed on two separate occasions.  Jack Ivankovic (Brampton Steelheads) was stellar again as he made 22 saves.

In the day’s first semi-final, Andreas Straka (Quebec Remparts) helped Slovakia take out Germany 3-2. In defeat, Max Bleicher (Owen Sound Attack) scored for Germany who maintained their status for 2026 in their season back in the top flight.

Sweden reached the semis too after another outstanding performance from Filip Ekberg (Ottawa 67’s) who recorded three points (2G, 1A) in the win. Ekberg continues to lead the tournament with nine goals and 16 points in just five games. The tournament record for points in a single event is 22.

Finally, hosts USA doubled up Latvia 6-3. Blake Fiddler (Edmonton Oil Kings) was a +3 in 21:35 of ice time as he once again led the team.

Canada will face Slovakia in Friday’s first semi-final while the USA will take on Sweden.

April 28

Braeden Cootes (Seattle Thunderbirds) and Guelph’s Lev Katzin (Guelph Storm) each scored twice as Canada completed a perfect round-robin at the 2025 U18 World Championships with an 8-1 win over Norway. 

Ryan Roobroeck (Niagara IceDogs) added four points (1G, 3A) while Victoria Royals teammates Cole Reschny and Keaton Verhoeff, as well as Alessandro Di Iorio (Sarnia Sting), also scored while Jack Ivankovic (Brampton Steelheads) and Lucas Beckman (Baie-Comeau Drakkar) combined to make 17 saves. Canada had already locked up top spot in Group A and will now face Czechia in Wednesday’s quarterfinal. 

April 27

Canada kept its perfect round-robin intact after a 5-1 win over Finland to move to 3-0-0. In his tournament debut, Ben Kindel (Calgary Hitmen) had a goal and an assist as did Xavier Villeneuve (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada). Brady Martin (Soo Greyhounds), Braeden Cootes (Seattle Thunderbirds) and Cole Reschny (Victoria Royals) also found the back of the net while Jack Ivankovic (Brampton Steelheads) made 38 saves. The victory ensured Canada took top spot in Group A.

In the day’s other game, Germany beat Switzerland 5-4 where Carlos Handel (Halifax Mooseheads) had three points (2G / 1A) and David Lewandowski (Saskatoon Blades) also scored.

April 26

Andreas Straka (Quebec Remparts) – the fourth overall pick in the 2024 CHL Import Draft – had a goal and an assist as Slovakia defeated Norway 9-1.

Vit Zahejsky (Kamloops Blazers) continued his impressive tournament as he scored for the third straight game as Czechia doubled up Switzerland 4-2. The Seattle Thunderbirds duo of Radim Mrtka and Matej Pekar also added two assists each in the win.

Hosts USA moved to 3-0-0 after a 6-3 win over Sweden. Blake Fiddler (Edmonton Oil Kings) led all U.S. skaters with 22:22 of ice time.

April 25

Canada collected its second straight win after a 7-1 victory against Latvia.

Ryan Roobroeck (Niagara IceDogs) scored twice while Xavier Villeneuve (Blainville-Boisbriand Armada), Alessandro Di Iorio (Sarnia Sting) and Lev Katzin (Guelph Storm) all had a goal and assist. Jackson Smith (Tri-City Americans) scored for the second straight game while Carson Carels (Prince George Cougars) also found the back of the net. Lucas Beckman (Baie-Comeau Drakkar) made 16 saves to secure the win.

Earlier in the day, Vit Zahejsky (Kamloops Blazers) scored for the second straight night as Czechia lost 4-3 in overtime to Germany. The USA also moved to 2-0-0 after a 10-0 win against Switzerland; Blake Fiddler (Edmonton Oil Kings) – who scored Wednesday – was a +1 in 16:11 of ice time.

April 24 

Defending champions Canada got off to a blistering start with a 9-2 win over Slovakia in their tournament opener.

Braeden Cootes (Seattle Thunderbirds) had five points (2G, 3A) while Cameron Schmidt (Vancouver Giants) had two goals and an assist. Guelph Storm teammates Lev Katzin and Quinn Beauchesne, Matthew Gard (Red Deer Rebels), Jackson Smith (Tri-City Americans) and Ryan Lin (Vancouver Giants) also scored in the win. Jack Ivankovic (Brampton Steelheads) – who won gold last year – made 22 saves.

Earlier in the day, Vit Zahejsky (Kamloops Blazers) scored for the second straight night as Czechia lost 4-3 in overtime to Germany. The USA also moved to 2-0-0 after a 10-0 win against Switzerland; Edmonton’s Blake Fiddler – who scored Wednesday – was a +1 in 16:11 of ice time.

April 23

The opening day of the 2025 tournament saw Filip Ekberg (Ottawa 67’s) explode for five points (4G, 1A) as Sweden beat Switzerland 10-3 in their tournament opener.

Hosts USA also got their campaign off to a perfect start with a 4-2 victory over Czechia where Blake Fiddler (Edmonton Oil Kings) scored the game-tying goal in the third period. Radim Mrtka (Seattle Thunderbirds) and Vit Zahejsky (Kamloops Blazers) scored for Czechia in defeat.

Canada gets its campaign underway this evening when they face Slovakia at 5pm ET.