Scout’s Evaluation: Standout gamers from the Hlinka Gretzky Cup

The 2027 NHL scouting season has formally launched.

A number of prospects made an impression eventually week’s Hlinka Gretzky Cup, an annual under-18 event that was hosted in Edmonton by Workforce Canada. The competitors will return to Czechia and Slovakia subsequent summer season, with future host cities nonetheless to be decided. Canada gained gold after routing the U.S. 8-1 within the gold-medal recreation on Saturday evening, whereas Finland downed Slovakia to take the bronze.

It’s early in my course of, however a number of prospects caught mine and colleague Sam Cosentino’s consideration. With an eye fixed in the direction of subsequent June’s draft, listed below are some fast notes on gamers who stood out:

Landon DuPont — five-foot-11, 192 kilos — right-shot defenceman – Michigan Wolverines (NCAA)

DuPont captained Canada to gold. He was deployed in key offensive- and defensive-zone situations, competed bodily, executed at an elite degree with the puck and ended the event with two targets and 6 assists (together with 4 helpers within the gold-medal recreation).

DuPont, in my view, is a whole participant and a future top-pairing NHL defenceman. He doesn’t simply produce offence — he is a improbable skater who by no means backs down within the onerous areas of the ice, internet entrance and alongside the boards. He jogs my memory, in some ways, of a younger Drew Doughty.

Brock England – five-foot-11, 175 kilos – left-shot winger – Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)

England performs with tempo, talent and tenacity. His fast launch, and total puck talent in small areas, was on full show in Edmonton. He ended the event with 5 factors (4 targets, one help) and seems poised to have a really productive 12 months with the Thunderbirds. England has the hockey sense and dedication to be deployed in all conditions if required and initiatives as a top-six NHL ahead.

Jaakko Wycisk – six-foot-one, 204 kilos – Proper Shot Middle – Guelph Storm (OHL)

Wycisk was excellent for Canada as his mixture of skating capacity, talent and total bodily presence stood out all through the event. Wycisk’s energy alongside the boards and in entrance of the opponent’s internet makes him extraordinarily troublesome to defend and opens up area for his linemates. He tied teammate Maddox Schultz for the scoring title with two targets and eight assists for the Canadians and presently initiatives as a first-round prospect.

Brock Cripps – five-foot-11, 166 kilos – right-shot defenceman – Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)

NHL groups covet right-shot defencemen, particularly elite skaters and playmakers who challenge as potential power-play quarterbacks — and Cripps matches the outline. He’s presently undersized and can want time so as to add extra weight to his body, however his quickness and hockey sense already stand out and result in Cripps profitable pucks and launching the assault. He produced one aim and 5 assists and initiatives as a two-way/transitional defenceman with top-four potential.

Kayden Stroeder – six toes, 165 kilos – left-shot centre – Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)

Stroeder was taking part in on dwelling ice in Edmonton and stood out for a wide range of causes. He contributed offence (4 targets, 5 assists), but it surely was his relentless compete degree that stood out for me. Stroeder battled for possession and drove to the online off the flank. He performed with tempo, was dependable defensively, and gained most of his shifts all through the event.

Cooper McAslan – six-foot-two, 195 kilos – right-shot defenceman – London Knights (OHL)

I may have written about nearly each Canadian participant for this piece, and their time will come between now and subsequent June, however London Knights defenceman Cooper McAslan is a prospect who deserves recognition to begin the season.

McAslan spent most of final 12 months taking part in for London’s Junior “B” affiliate, the London Nationals, and solely suited up for 4 video games with the Knights. He contributed 10 targets and 37 assists in 45 mixed common season and playoff video games with the Nationals. McAslan is lengthy and rangy, a strong skater with well-above-average puck talent. He was usually utilized in a depth position for Canada, however did contribute three assists. I really feel like McAslan is simply scratching the floor of his potential and may compete for vital minutes with the Knights this season.

Douglas Johnsson – five-foot-10, 169 kilos – right-shot defenceman – Skelleftea J20 (Sweden)

Johnsson is one other intriguing and undersized right-shot defender. He’s an impressive skater who has the power to trace down pucks in his zone and launch the assault on his personal or outlet the puck and be part of the frenzy as an additional attacker. He quarterbacks the ability play and competes defensively. The Swedes had been underwhelming total at this event however Johnsson stood out for lengthy stretches, contributing one aim and two assists.

Milan Sundstrom – six-foot-two, 207 kilos – left-shot centre – Modo J20 (Sweden)

Sundstrom is a pre-season top-five prospect who initiatives as a top-line NHL ahead with vital offensive upside. He produced six factors (two targets, 4 assists) for the Swedes and was their most constant offensive risk. There have been instances his shift size was too lengthy, leaving him exhausted and chopping some corners defensively, however he left me with a constructive impression total.

Jonah Neuenschwander – six-foot-three, 185 kilos – left-shot centre – Biel NLA (Switzerland)

Neuenschwander performed to his id in Edmonton and seems ready for an enormous season in his draft 12 months. He’s the sort of prospect who needs to be dissected shift-to-shift with a way of actuality in relation to the group round him. The Swiss lack depth on the high of their lineup, however Neuenschwander ended the event with three targets and three assists whereas having to compete towards opponents’ high strains and defensive pairings each shift. He’s one other prospect whose mixture of dimension, talent, tempo and elite capturing capacity stands out.

Luca Santala – six-foot-two, 190 kilos – right-shot winger – London Knights (OHL)

Santala is making his strategy to North America to play within the OHL for the Knights and initiatives as a prospect who leans extra shooter than distributor. He’s aggressive directing pucks on internet and has the dimensions to create points for defenders who try and push him off pucks. One space of Santala’s recreation I’m monitoring is his total tempo, as he has the power to play quick however appears to choose his spots at instances. Santala produced two targets and 4 assists.

Gavin Burcar – six-foot-two, 185 kilos – right-shot centre – Spokane Chiefs (WHL)

Burcar was improbable for Workforce USA because the Spokane Chiefs centre dominated offensively (5 targets, 4 assists) and, like Santala, was aggressive directing pucks on internet. He shoots the puck a ton, however what stood out was the best way he stationed himself across the internet and walked to open area after profitable performs off the boards.

Maxmilian Mares – six-foot-six, 229 kilos – left-shot centre – Rimouski Oceanic (QMJHL)

I’m fairly certain Cosentino grew uninterested in me declaring all the constructive issues Mares was doing for Czechia on a shift-to-shift foundation. He’s a hulking centre who performs an easy energy recreation. When he wins offensive zone attracts, he heads to the crease to set screens and hound for ideas and rebounds. Mares was chosen by Rimouski within the first spherical (fifth total) within the CHL import draft. He contributed three targets and three assists in Edmonton and has my full consideration heading into the autumn.

It could be irresponsible of me to finish my piece with out acknowledging the under-age prospects (2028 draft eligible) who had vital affect on the event:

Maddox Schultz – five-foot-10, 183 kilos – left-shot centre – Regina Pats (WHL)

Schultz was excellent for Canada. He contributed three targets and 7 assists, but it surely was his full recreation that impressed me most. Schultz doesn’t reduce corners. He competes in all three zones and isn’t shy to battle in visitors. He’s trending in the direction of being the highest prospect for the 2028 draft.

Liam Pue – six toes, 188 kilos – right-shot winger – Regina Pats (WHL)

Pue additionally performs in Regina and he has plain synergy skating alongside Schultz. He owns a deadly launch — if he identifies a lane to the online, regardless of how small, he has the power to tear pucks within the blink of an eye fixed. Pue produced six targets and three assists for Workforce Canada.

Joey Cullen – five-foot-11, 173 kilos – left-shot winger – USNTDP U17 (USHL)

Joey’s brother, Wyatt, was chosen by the Nashville Predators tenth total in June and Joey seems to have the identical upside. He’s dynamic with the puck on his stick and performs with a assured swagger that produced three targets and two assists for Workforce USA.