Canada ‘playing like a family’ already at 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup
There are a number of previous connections in Canada’s 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup squad and that has created immediate chemistry.
Chicoutimi’s Émile Guité is one of nine returnees from Canada White’s gold medal at the 2023 World U-17 Hockey Challenge while five players who claimed gold at the 2024 U18 World Championships were selected. Brampton’s Jack Ivankovic, Erie’s Matthew Schaefer and Moncton’s Caleb Desnoyers won gold at both events.
“We’re already playing like a family even if we don’t play together during the season,” Guité said. “We’re really fast, aggressive team that can be physical.”
The Sags forward has had a good start to the tournament where he has a team high three goals, alongside two assists, in Canada’s 2-0-0 start.
“It’s amazing to be able to wear the jersey of Team Canada,” he said. “It’s so unreal playing in the Edmonton Oilers’ rink is just amazing.”
The 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup takes place Aug. 5-10 in Edmonton, AB.
In November, the CHL USA Prospects Challenge presented by Kubota Canada will take place where the top first-year NHL Draft-eligible prospects from the CHL’s three member leagues will face off against the USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program (NTDP) in a two-game series. More details will be made available soon.
