The 2022 Hlinka-Gretzky Cup Preview

The hockey schedule takes few breaks. That’s especially true this season. Not even a month removed from the NHL Draft, the scouting season is about to start anew.

The Hlinka-Gretzky Cup kicks off an August filled with hockey, with Red Deer, Alberta playing host.

This tournament doesn’t make or break a player’s draft stock, but it does provide the first full showcase. When the draft comes around the following summer, the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup’s little more than a distant memory, but first impressions linger.  

For prospects without top league exposure, these games can put them on the scouting radar.

Without further ado, here’s a team-by-team breakdown of the tournament, excluding Germany and Switzerland (as I know nothing about their junior programs and players).