Hlinka-Gretzky Cup player evaluations
| Adam Jiricek | HC Plzen | International | R | D | 6’1″ | 152 | Plzen, CZE | 2006 | 2023-2024: A- |
Grade Grade vs Canada: B+
The most exciting play that Adam made this game came in the defensive end, where he was attempting to break out of the zone, but was being hounded by a Canadian forward. Rather than force a bad pass, or go high off the glass, Adam used his inner edges to circle his own goal, and quickly created considerable space between himself and his opponent. Upon creating the requisite space, Adam was able to start the rush and make an accurate pass to a teammate. Adam currently projects as a middle or bottom-pairing defender at the NHL level. He doesn’t quite have the offensive instincts requisite to be a top-pairing defender, but he is an average straight-line and backwards skater for this level of play, and will be able to hold his own at the NHL level. Defensively, Adam won pucks in the defensive end, able to use his size and strength to win battles and control the puck along the wall. When defending the rush, he controlled the gap well with his skating, and stole pucks with his stick. He routinely made strong passes out of his own zone, and occasionally followed the play up by hopping into the rush. In the offensive zone, he isn’t quite as dynamic and natural as other top defenders in this age group, but he was able to activate off the line with the puck at times, and displayed a heavy shot from the point.
| Adam Benak | HC Plzen U17 | International | L | F | 5’6″ | 145 | Banik, CZE | 2007 | Not yet rated |
Game Grade vs Canada: A-
Despite being the only 2007 born player on the Czech roster, Benak set the record for most points by a Czech player in a single Hlinka Gretzky Cup, as he recorded 9 points in 5 games played. In the finals against Canada, Benak assisted on both Czech goals. On Benak’s first assist, Titlbach stole the puck down low in the Czech zone, and started the breakout up the right wall. He head-manned the puck to Benak , who attacked the outside lane. As Titlbach attacked the middle-lane, Benak made a backhand pass past the Canadian defender to Titlbach which caused the Canadian defender to fall, and led to a breakaway goal for the Czechs. Benak did a very good job of creating a lane for his teammate to attack, and at moving the puck past the Canadian defender. His second assist came on the power play, and the play began as Benak received a pass from Jiricek as he crossed the red line on the left side of the ice. The speed he was carrying caused the close side Canadian defender to fall as he attempted to close the gap, and Benak attacked the middle of the ice as he cut in from the wall at the hash marks. He passed the puck to Kubiesa in the middle of the ice who scored, and Benak took a hard hit from a Canadian forward as he made the play. Benak is an above-average straight-line skater for this level of play, and he was able to create separation between himself and defenders through his acceleration. Despite being a very small player, he was unafraid of taking the puck to the net, and attacked seams between defenders to create chances. He made accurate and selfless passes to teammates, and was the main play driver for his line. Benak was very good defensively as well, as he routinely collapsed into the net front to support the defensemen in puck battles. He also positioned himself well to get his stick into passing and shooting lanes to disrupt the play. As it stands, Benak has the skill and skating ability to be a top 2025 NHL Draft pick. If he wishes to play at the NHL level, he must continue to add size and strength, or else he will risk injury against much larger opponents.
| Adam Titlbach | HC Plzen U20 | Czech U20 | L | C | 5’8″ | 150 | Litvinov, CZE | 2006 | 2023-2024: C+ |
Game Grade vs Canada: B
Titlbach scored the opening goal of the game, and started the play by corralling a rebound after a save made by his goaltender. As he was instantly under pressure from the Canadian forward, Titlbach head-manned the puck to Benak, and sprinted up the middle of the ice. He received the return feed from Benak in the high-slot, and managed to one-time a bouncing puck up over the glove side shoulder of the Canadian goaltender. Titlbach’s ability to stick with this play was quite impressive as he covered a ton of ice. He also had the puck deflected off his chest by the Canadian defender and back to his stick, and he still managed to get a shot off without slowing down. Adam is an above-average straight-line skater for this level of play. He was able to consistently generate offence for his team at even strength, and attacked the net aggressively, despite being a smaller player. Defensively, he stripped opponents of pucks from behind, and also blocked a shot. Titlbach was rewarded for his efforts by being on the ice to start the 3 on 3 OT. He should be commended for moving into second all time for points by a Czech player in a single Hlinka Gretzky Cup, as he recorded 8 points in 5 games, all while not seeing minutes on the top power play unit. Size will be the biggest question mark for Titlbach this season as he adjusts to the North American game with the Vancouver Giants of the WHL.
| Maxmilian Curran | HC Slavia Praha U20 | Czech U20 | L | C | 6’2″ | 167 | Praha, CZE | 2006 | 2023-2024: |
Game Grade vs Canada: B-
Curran is a taller player who is an average straight-line skater for this level of play. He was able to consistently find lanes to the net as a passing option, and attacked the middle of the ice with speed. In the offensive zone, he often cut or stopped with the puck to create space for himself to make a pass. Maximilian was also very good in tight with the puck and along the wall, as he used his size to protect the puck and cycle it with his linemates. Despite being a taller player, he also displayed soft-hands, and was able to beat defenders with his stick-handling. In the overtime period, Curran was the last man back, and successfully defended a rush against to keep the game alive. Curran had a strong showing for Czechia this tournament and will look to adjust to the North American game, as he is set to join the Tri-City Americans of the WHL this season. The main question mark for Curran this season will be whether he can generate enough offence to be worthy of an NHL draft pick.
| Frankie Marrelli | Ottawa 67s | OHL | L | D | 5’10” | 191 | Ottawa 67’s | 2022 | 2006 | 2023-2024: B- |
Game Grade vs USA: B
Despite the depth of the Canadian lineup, Marrelli has still been trusted to play over 20 minutes each game this tournament. He is a reliable defender who is an average straight-line skater for this level of play. He is also strong backwards, and is thus able to control the gap well when defending the rush. Marrelli is quick to identify and get to loose pucks, and despite not being the biggest player on the ice, he is very good at putting his body between his opponent and the puck, in order to box him out, and free up his own stick. Upon winning the puck, Marrelli cuts quickly to space, and with his head-up, he makes accurate passes out of the zone. In instances where he carries the puck out of the zone, Marrelli is calm and deliberate in his passing, and is very good at not forcing plays. In instances where there are no passing options, or rush options, he would cut back to space and would wait for an option to present itself. Overall, Marrelli is a smart and smooth defender who has been a very reliable member of this Canadian blueline.
| Porter Martone | Mississauga Steelheads | OHL | R | RW | 6’3″ | 170 | Peterborough, ON | 2006 |
Game Grade vs USA: B+
Porter scored one of the best goals of the tournament against the USA, as while on the powerplay, he deked his way past all four USA penalty killers, and then deked the goaltender to his backhand for the goal. Despite momentarily losing control of the puck when deking the first of two defensemen, Porter maintained his composure, and picked the puck out of the air without slowing down to continue his rush. Porter is an average straight-line skater for this level of play, and that combined with his size and skill, has enabled him to be effective when rushing the puck. Before getting to a loose puck, Porter would head-check, in order to read his options up-ice, and to make a plan of attack. In instances where he passed the puck, Porter made intelligent and accurate passes to hit open teammates in stride. As a power forward style of player, Porter was also very good with the puck along the wall, and was effective at cycling it. Along the wall, Porter would cut quickly with the puck to create space for himself, and was able to withstand checks from opponents before moving it to a teammate. Porter showcased a quick release and a heavy shot when shooting, but must continue to improve his backhand. On one play, Porter found himself with the puck on his backhand in the slot. Rather than shooting the puck from this position, he forced a pass to a teammate which led to a turnover. If Porter is to be a physical net front presence at the next level, he must be comfortable shooting off his backhand, and from suboptimal positions. It is also worth noting that on top of scoring a goal, Porter also drew two penalties against the USA, and proved difficult to stop.
Game Grade vs Czechia: B+
Porter assisted on Canada’s opening goal of the game against the Czechs, as he caught a Spence clearing attempt in the neutral zone with his glove, and dropped it down to his stick. He was gapped up quickly by the Czech defender, and thus he put his body between the puck and the defender, and scanned the ice for his options. Porter identified that Lindstrom was sprinting up the far side, and he threaded a perfect pass over the stick of a defender and onto the tape of Lindstrom, who scored on a partial breakaway. This was an extremely intelligent and high-skill play from Porter, who has emerged as one of Canada’s top forwards at the event. Porter is an average straight-line skater for this level of play, and he managed to combine this with his skill and size in order to be very difficult to contain. Porter was very good at attacking off the rush, and was also dominant when cycling the puck. Despite his size, he also showcased soft-hands, such as when he perfectly handled a saucer pass from a teammate, which was more difficult than usual given the ice conditions. It is also worth noting that Porter was very good at getting pucks to the net this game, and also crashed the net consistently to look for rebounds. Throughout the entire tournament, Porter showcased that he has the size, skill, and speed to be considered one of the top names for the 2025 NHL Draft.
| Zayne Parekh | Saginaw Spirit | OHL | R | D | 6’0″ | 170 | Toronto, ON | 2006 | 2023-2024: B |
Game Grade vs USA: A-
Despite not seeing a ton of ice time at even strength, Zayne has been the quarterback of PP1 for Team Canada for the entire tournament. He is first and foremost a dynamic skater who is above-average in terms of his straight-line speed for this level of play. He is also so quick in his acceleration, and uses his edges very well to change direction or stop, in order to create space between himself and opponents. When he is running a power play, the first thing one notices about Zayne is how active his feet are. Most power plays are quite stagnant, whereas Zayne is all over the ice, and this movement and constant energy is very difficult to contain for penalty killers. Against the USA, Zayne recorded two assists, the second of which came on a five on three advantage for Canada. As the quarterback, Zayne had the puck in the middle of the ice, and was playing catch with Poirier who was to his left. As he received the puck back, Zayne slowly back-pedaled to his left, and as the killers started to lean that direction he quickly fired a pass to Catton on his right, who managed to one-time the puck past the goaltender. On his first assist (at even strength), the puck came to Zayne on the right side of the ice at the blueline. He attempted to penetrate past the USA winger, but found his way blocked. Zayne then moved back out towards the line and to the middle of the ice, before stopping on a dime, and firing a low wrister past three American players and a Canadian, before it was tipped by Spence for a goal. On both of these plays, Zayne displayed that he is capable of quick and dynamic movements that can catch opponents off guard, and are very difficult to stop. Due to his quickness and skill with the puck, Zayne is able to escape pressure with the puck effortlessly in his own end, before either rushing it up-ice himself or feeding a pass up to a teammate. He routinely made long and difficult stretch passes to teammates, which created chances for his team. Despite being a primarily offensive player, Zayne showed that he is capable of defending at a high-level. On one rush in particular, Zayne back-pedaled as the Americans rushed the puck up-ice, and without pivoting, kept his opponents in front of him. He effortlessly controlled the gap throughout the game, and on one specific play, successfully defended a two on one rush by keeping the puck carrier wide, and at the last second he dove to block the centering pass. Based on his showing against the USA, and in the other games this tournament, Zayne has shown that he is capable of elite offensive play, and there is enough there defensively that given the right coaching, he could one day defend well at the NHL level. Of all the defensemen in this tournament, Zayne is the most-likely to be a true number one defender in the NHL, but is also the most-likely to not play at all, given the risk associated with his game.
| Will Felicio | Madison Capitols | USHL | L | D | 5’10” | 160 | Denver | 2025 | Holden, MA | 2006 | 2023-2024: C+ |
Game Grade vs Canada: B-
Will is a smaller defender who was very responsible defensively against Canada. When defending the rush, he controlled the gap well with his feet and managed to time his jumps well to intercept passes or knock pucks away with his stick. In the defensive zone, he was very good at protecting the front of the net, and in one instance blocked a shot with the goaltender out of position, to keep the puck out of the net. Will carried the puck with competence as well, and quarterbacked PP1 for the USA. He made accurate passes up-ice, and also made intelligent drop-passes to teammates when rushing the puck. In the offensive zone, he moved his feet well to get open, and was very good at moving his feet before a pass came to him, in order to create separation between himself and a defender. In order to succeed at the NHL level, Will will have to add size and strength to his game. As it stands now, Will was pushed aside by opponents at times, and was unable to knock players off pucks with physical play. He is also only approximately 5’10’ tall, and there are not many defenders at the NHL who are that short. Overall, Will has the brain and skating to succeed at the NHL level, but must continue adding strength and developing explosiveness.
| Finn McLaughlin | Canmore Eagles | AJHL | L | D | 6’1″ | 185 | Denver | 2024 | Canmore, AB | 2006 | 2023-2024: C+ |
Game Grade vs Canada: C
Finn was trusted with quite a bit of ice time for the Americans in their game against Canada. On top of taking a regular shift at even strength, Finn killed penalties, and was on PP2. When the Americans were killing a 5 on 3 against, Finn was one of the defenders on the ice, and despite allowing a goal, it wasn’t on Finn’s side. He is an average straight-line skater for this level of play, and was also very good at pivoting and skating backwards. Finn was responsible defensively for the Americans as he controlled the gap well when defending the rush, and even broke up a 2 on 1 rush against. He also made sure to engage with players physically at the front of the American net, and took away centering passes. Finn must continue to add size and strength if he wishes to hear his name called in June, as at times he was physically dominated by opponents in the corners and along the walls. As it stands, the biggest question mark in Finn’s game is his offence, and whether there is enough skill and creativity in his game to warrant risking a draft pick on him. Finn played this season for the Canmore Eagles of the AJHL, and returning to that level of play for this upcoming season to foster his offence and creativity, may be wiser than making the jump to the USHL where the competition is much stiffer.
| Trevor Connelly | Tri City Storm | USHL | L | LW | 6’1″ | 156 | Providence | 2025 | Tuscin, CA | 2006 | 2023-2024: A- |
Game Grade vs Canada: B+
Connelly has been the Americans top player the entire tournament. He is an above-average straight-line skater for this level of play, and he is generally able to blow by defenders in open-ice. He is also dynamic enough and quick enough to beat defenders in tight. Trevor scored on the powerplay for the Americans to put the team up 2-1. On this play, Trevor was lined up as the right defenseman. The puck swung down low to Butella to the left of the Canadian goal, and Butella identified that Trevor was open at the top of the circle on the right side. Trevor meanwhile, crept in from the line towards the top of the circle, and when he received the pass he bobbled the puck (poor ice conditions), before beating the Canadian goaltender with a quick release. At times, Trevor made elite reads and passes with the puck, such as a saucer pass over a stick to an activating defender in the middle of the ice to create a chance on goal. He also worked to get the defenders’ feet moving, and made long passes through the offensive zone to teammates. That being said, Trevor was prone to trying to do too much in this game, as well as throughout the tournament. He often attempted to enter the puck into the zone himself, and would turn it over as 1 on 5 rushes are next to impossible. Trevor has the speed and skill to play at the NHL level, but he must just work to include his teammates more in the offence. At this point in time, it appears that Trevor wasn’t incapable of reading that the pass was the better option, he just simply chose to not make it. If this trend continues, then it will be very difficult for him to succeed at higher levels of play. Defensively, Trevor was very good at coming back to support defenders, and positioned himself well to intercept passes. Due to his speed and 200′ game, Trevor is capable of being a middle-six forward at the NHL level.
| Aidan Park | Shattuck St. Mary’s U16 | Midget | R | C | 6’1″ | 184 | Michigan | 2024 | Newport Beach, CA | 2006 | 2023-2024: C |
Game Grade vs Canada: B-
Aidan is a big and skilled forward, who seems to be able to control any puck that comes within a stick’s length of his body. Due to his size and skill, he was very good at carrying the puck through contact, and was effective at making passes while under pressure. He was also very good at identifying space between defenders, and attacked it with the puck to create offence. Aidan was responsible defensively as well, and was put on the ice to kill a 5 on 3. Aidan’s skating is currently a tool that borders on being a ‘fatal flaw’. Aidan struggled to accelerate, and his straight-line skating was below average for this level of play. He also struggled with his balance and appeared to fall quite a bit throughout the game. Due to his skating, it is very difficult for Aidan to create space for himself, and thus his shots were often blocked or deflected. The mechanics of Aidan’s stride are good enough that he can improve his balance and speed if he works at it. At times he was prone to striding directly back, and must work to push at an angle closer to 45 degrees if he wishes to generate more speed. Overall, Aidan is an intelligent and skilled player, who with some technical refinement to his skating stride, may be able to one-day crack an NHL roster.
| Malcolm Spence | Erie Otters | GTHL | L | F | 6’0″ | 175 | Erie Otters | 2022 | Mississauga, ON | 2006 | 4.75/5 |
Game Grade vs Czechia: A-
Malcolm scored the Golden Goal for Canada, as in overtime he stripped a Czech player of the puck in the neutral zone (along the right wall) before sprinting up ice. Rather than taking a straight-line to the net, Malcolm came in on a diagonal, and out-waited the goaltender, as he held onto the puck as he continued past the goal, and shot it back against the direction of his play and into the goal. This was a fantastic goal for Malcolm who showcased his strong defensive play, as well as his speed and skill on the goal. Malcolm is an above-average straight-line skater for this level of play, and his speed was on full-display every time he was on the ice, especially when he was killing penalties. Throughout the tournament, Malcolm seemed to strip an opponent of the puck at least once a game, and would generate a breakaway or partial breakaway chance for himself. As a bigger player, he was also very good along the wall with the puck and cycled it well. Malcolm and his linemates Lindstrom and Martone were Canada’s best trio and the three combined to play a skilled and heavy style of play. At even strength, Malcolm carried the puck very well through the neutral zone, and was able to hit teammates with accurate passes to create chances off the rush. Overall, it seemed like Malcolm improved his play every game, and became the best defensive-forward of the tournament. At the NHL level, Malcolm projects as a defense first forward.
| Henry Mews | Ottawa 67s | OHL | R | D | 6’0″ | 179 | Ottawa 67’s | 2022 | Ottawa, ON | 2006 | 2023-2024: A |
Game Grade vs Czechia: B+
Henry had another strong performance for Canada in the finals against Czechia, logging an impressive 26 minutes of ice time. Defensively, Henry controlled the gap well when defending the rush, and was able to stick-check opponents. In the defensive zone, he positioned himself well to disrupt passing and shooting lanes, and managed to block a shot. In overtime, Henry stopped a 2 on 1 rush against by intercepting the centering pass. Unfortunately, as he rushed the puck up-ice he had the option of passing to his left or right, and chose to make a difficult pass to his right off his backhand, and missed the tape of his teammate, which killed the rush. In the offensive zone, he was very good at cutting to create space with the puck, and then moving it to an open teammate. Henry’s shots consistently found their way to the net from the point, and he was very good at shooting the puck low so that teammates could try and tip them. As it stands, Henry appears to be one of the best defensemen in this age group, and should hear his name called in the first round of the NHL Draft. He is talented in both ends of the rink, and appears to have the skating and smarts to succeed at the NHL level. Continuing to add size and strength should be a top priority for Henry this season.
| Ollie Josephson | Red Deer Rebels | WHL | L | C | 6’0″ | 179 | Red Deer Rebels | 2021 | Victoria, BC | 2006 | 2023-2024: |
Game Grade vs Czechia: B-
Due to the depth of the Canadian roster, Ollie played on the fourth line for Canada, and was put into mainly defensive match-ups in this game. He was trusted by his coaches to take key defensive zone faceoffs and to kill penalties as well. In the defensive zone he showcased his agility, as he worked to keep himself gapped up to puck carriers. On one particular shift, the puck carrier threw multiple changes of direction and head-fakes at Ollie who managed to stay right with his opponent to stifle the offence. In the offensive zone, Ollie used his size and strength to be effective when cycling the puck, and he was able to carry the puck through contact to push his way towards the front of the net. He also displayed his vision with the puck, as he played it to open space for teammates to skate into it, and create offence from these areas.
| Cayden Lindstrom | Medicine Hat Tigers | WHL | L | C | 6’3″ | 205 | Medicine Hat Tigers | 2021 | Chetwynd, BC | 2006 | 2022-2023: B |
Game Grade vs Czechia: A-
Cayden scored the opening goal of the game for Canada in highlight reel fashion. Spence won the puck in the left defensive corner, and lobbed it out of the zone to Martone who was at the far blueline. Martone knocked the puck down to his stick, and fed a perfect saucer pass to Cayden who came streaking up the ice at full speed. Cayden caught the puck on his backhand, before pulling it to his forehand, and beating the goaltender up top over his blocker shoulder. One of the more impressive aspects of this goal, is that Cayden started the play at the top of his own crease, as he was engaged with a Czech forward. He then beat everyone up ice, and then showcased his combination of strength and skill, as he kept the puck away from the Czech defender by holding the puck on his backhand, as far forward as he could, before pulling it back to his forehand to shoot past the goaltender. For players the size of Cayden, a big question is always, ‘can he create space for others’? The answer to that is a resounding, ‘yes’. Cayden routinely attacks space in between defenders to draw them in towards himself, before passing out to an open teammate. He also is very good on the cycle, able to fight off multiple defenders before passing. Cayden carried the puck with his head-up, and made excellent passes at speed to teammates. He was also very noticeable defensively, as he worked to stay with checks through the neutral zone, and into the defensive end. He was very good at collapsing in towards the net front as the offside winger, and made sure to protect the net front at all costs. He positioned himself well to disrupt passing and shooting lanes, and used his reach to break-up passes. I would describe this as a statement performance for Cayden, and fully expect him to dominate play in the WHL this season.
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images