Royals star Reschny paces Canada to victory over Switzerland at 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup
Edmonton, Alta. – Victoria Royals forward Cole Reschny registered five points, including two goals and three assists, boosting Canada to a decisive 10-0 triumph over Switzerland on the opening day of the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup at Rogers Place.
Reschny, a 5-foot-10, 183-pound product of Macklin, Sask., was quick to offer a helping hand Monday evening, providing three assists, including two in the second period and one in the third period. He then found the back of the net twice in the latter stages of the third period, putting the icing on an impressive five-point outing.
Aside from Reschny, Medicine Hat Tigers star Gavin McKenna (Whitehorse, Yukon) had an early impact on opening night of the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, securing three points of his own, including a goal and two assists.
After setting up Quinn Beauchesne (Guelph Storm, OHL), to make it 1-0 for Canada, the 5-foot-11, 160-pound McKenna went right back to the attack on the power play, wiring a wrist shot to the top corner, going high blocker side on Swiss netminder Matia Birchler to give Canada a 2-0 advantage.
McKenna, the reigning WHL Rookie of the Year, finished his night by setting up Reschny late in the third period to give Canada a commanding 9-0 advantage.
Reschny and McKenna weren’t the only players from Canada’s WHL contingent to have an offensive impact Monday night.
Tri-City Americans defenceman Jackson Smith (Calgary, Alta.) had a first period point shot redirected by Emile Guite (Chicoutimi Sagueneens, QMJHL) to give Canada a 3-0 lead.
Swift Current Broncos blueliner Peyton Kettles (Winnipeg, Man.) gave Canada a 4-0 cushion early in the second period, sneaking a shot over the pad of the Swiss netminder from the right faceoff circle.
Seattle Thunderbirds forward Braeden Cootes (Sherwood Park, Alta.) contributed a primary assist on Beauchesne’s opening goal of the night.
Canada controlled the play from the first puck drop outshooting Switzerland 50-20 through 60 minutes of play. Canada’s power play converted on 1/3 (33.3%) of its opportunities, with McKenna’s first period strike representing the lone goal on the man advantage.
For Reschny, Monday night’s impressive performance on the international stage builds on what Victoria Royals fans have already come to love about the highly-skilled pivot. Originally selected third overall by the Royals in the 2022 WHL Prospects Draft, Reschny was lights out in his WHL rookie campaign, recording 59 points (21G-38A) in 61 games.
As for McKenna, he celebrated being named an alternate captain for Canada by picking up where he left off when he last wore the Maple Leaf at the IIHF U18 World Championship. Registering 20 points (10G-10A) in seven games, McKenna set a Canadian record for goals and points in a single IIHF U18 World Championship and fuelled Canada to a gold medal for good measure back in May.
Next up for Reschny, McKenna, and Canada is a date with Slovakia on Tuesday night (7:30 p.m. MT) at Rogers Place.
2024 Hlinka Gretzky News & Notes – Monday, August 5:
Vancouver Giants prospect Tobias Tomik (1-24, CHL Import Draft) scored once as Slovakia fell to Sweden in overtime by a 4-3 margin … Portland Winterhawks prospect Ondrej Stebetak (1-57, CHL Import Draft) made 30 saves on 31 shots, backstopping Czechia to a 2-1 victory over the United States …
2024 Hlinka Gretzky Schedule – Tuesday, August 6:
- 12 p.m. MT – Germany vs. Czechia
- 3:30 p.m. MT – Finland vs. United States
- 5:30 p.m. MT – Sweden vs. Switzerland
- 7:30 p.m. MT – Canada vs. Slovakia
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