Hlinka Gretzky Cup gold medal-winners reunite at 2024 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game

Moncton, N.B.- Berkly Catton has been keeping close tabs on his old Hlinka Gretzky Cup teammates.

“With the app, it’s pretty easy to go and check on who’s scored in every league pretty much so I’m always looking,” Catton said. “I’ll text guys if they’re playing well, or if something happens in a game I’ll ask a question, but yeah, I’m keeping up with lots of guys.”

The Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game has brought 13 members of the 2023 gold medal-winning team back together in Moncton, N.B.

“It’s awesome to see these guys again,” Brandon Wheat Kings defenceman Charlie Elick added. “I feel like that’s one of the most bonded teams I have ever been on so I’m coming back to see the guys that I won a gold medal with there, it’s a pretty amazing experience that I share with these guys and be able to talk about it with them just a crazy, crazy feeling that I have. I’m never gonna forget that tournament.”

While the players are focused on raising their draft stock, they’re still taking the time to reconnect over the cherished memories.

“I talk to quite a few of them still, made some special connections with those guys,” Red Deer Rebels forward Ollie Josephson said. “Some lifelong friends and lifelong memories.”

After Team Canada opened the tournament with a 9-6 loss to Finland on July 31, 2023, the group had to rebound quickly.

Catton, who served as Captain for the group, scored in every game of the tournament as Canada breezed through the rest of round-robin and semifinal action before clinching a nailbiting 3-2 overtime win against Czechia to seal Canada’s 24th gold medal at the event.

The Spokane Chiefs star is ranked ninth among all North American skaters by NHL Central Scouting ahead of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft and says the Hlinka Gretzky Cup stands as his favourite hockey memory in his young career.

Berkly Catton on the power play! Canada takes a 2-1 lead against Czechia! #HlinkaGretzkyCup pic.twitter.com/O7xXRFJDXz

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) August 5, 2023

The same goes for Calgary Hitmen forward Carson Wetsch, who gained a new level of confidence after putting up a goal and two assists in five outings at the tournament.

“It’s unexplainable,” Wetsch said. “I came in this year with a lot of confidence from that. Getting to see those guys and talk to them also makes this year a lot easier, because it’s people that you’re going into this draft with.”

Off-ice bond aside, they aren’t necessarily all on the same team again.

Elick, Ollie Josephson (Red Deer Rebels), Maxim Massé (Chicoutimi Saguenéens), Cole Beaudoin (Barrie Colts), Ben Danford (Oshawa Generals), Sam Dickinson (London Knights) Zayne Parekh (Saginaw Spirit) and Ryerson Leenders (Missisauga Steelheads) will suit up for Team Red.

Catton, Wetsch, Liam Greentree (Windsor Spitfires), Henry Mews (Ottawa 67’s) and Carter George (Owen Sound Attack) will represent Team White.

The 2024 Kubota CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game airs live in Canada from the Avenir Centre, home of the QMJHL’s Moncton Wildcats, on TSN, TSN.ca, the TSN App, RDS and RDS.ca on Wednesday, Jan. 24 at 6:30 p.m. ET / 3:30 p.m. PT.

Viewers outside of Canada can catch all of the action on CHL TV or NHL Network (U.S. only).