The 2025 Hlinka-Gretzky Cup was once again a showcase of elite young talent, and while goals and assists grabbed the headlines, the real measure of impact often came from the backend. Defensemen not only produced offensively, but also dictated tempo, played tough minutes and swung momentum in ways that don’t always show up on a scoresheet. Using InStat data compiled by Neutral Zone scouts, this evaluation highlights the defenders who stood out for more than just their point totals. Axel Elofsson tied for second in tournament scoring while consistently driving play, Levi Harper led all defensemen with four goals, and Juho Piiparinen logged some of the heaviest minutes of the event while wearing an “A” for Finland. Adam Goljer carried the load for Slovakia with over 24 minutes per game, and Daxon Rudolph provided steady leadership as Canada’s assistant captain. Together, these performances reveal which players left the biggest mark on the tournament in both measurable results and subtle details.
Play-Driving and Offensive Impact
- Axel Elofsson (D, R, 5’11”, 166, Orebro HK J20, 06/03/2008) Tied for second in tournament scoring (2G, 9A) and finished second in plus/minus. His ability to push pace and create offense made him noticeable every time he was on the ice.
- Ryan Lin (D, R, 5’11”, 177, Vancouver Giants, 04/18/2008) Matched Elofsson’s goal production among defensemen (2G) and led the entire tournament in plus/minus.
- Levi Harper (D, R, 5’11”, 170, Saginaw Spirit, 10/03/2008) The tournament’s highest goal-scoring defenseman (4G, 1A, +3), blending elite skating with a knack for finding seams from the blue line.
- Malte Gustafsson (D, L, 6’5″, 183, HV71 J20, 06/11/2008) Known more for his defensive presence, he showed offensive upside with 2G, 4A, and a +3 rating.
Heavy Minutes and Leadership Roles
- Juho Piiparinen (D, R, 6’2″, 203, Tappara U20, 08/10/2008) Logged massive minutes for Finland (26:31 vs. Sweden), finishing with 3A and a team-best +4.
- Adam Goljer (D, R, 6’1″, 190, HK Dukla Trencin, 06/07/2008) Averaged a tournament-high 24:31 TOI, finishing tied for second on Slovakia in points (3) but also posting a -3 rating.
- Daxon Rudolph (D, R, 6’2″, 196, Prince Albert Raiders, 03/06/2008) As Canada’s assistant captain, contributed 2G, 2A and a +5 rating while holding down key defensive minutes.
- Landon DuPont (D, R, 5’11”, 180, Everett Silvertips, 05/28/2009) — A 2009-born assistant captain, logged 2A and a +5 rating. While he considered it a disappointing tournament, his role and age make his contributions notable.
- Keaton Verhoeff (D, R, 6’4″, 207, Victoria Royals, 06/19/2008, North Dakota) The Team Canada captain finished tied for 4th among defensemen in points (1 G, 3 A) and plus / minus at +4, but we can guarantee that he was disappointed in his performance.
Steady Pairings and Shutdown Play
- Ola Palme (D, L, 6’0″, 181, Vaxjo HC J20, 02/09/2008) Played a high-percentage game, finishing with 3A and a +5, second-best on Team Sweden.
- Vilgot Liden (D, L, 5’11”, 193, Leksands IF J20, 12/03/2008) A steady presence on Sweden’s top pairing, consistently facing top opposing forwards, finishing +4.
- Lou Bachler (D, L, 6’3″, 190, Davos, 09/17/2008) Contributed 1G, 3A and a +1 rating, tying for second in points among Swiss players.
- Alofa Tunao Taamu (D, L, 6’2″, 229, Edmonton Oil Kings, 05/28/2008) Earned more responsibility as the tournament progressed, finishing tied for fourth among defensemen in plus/minus.
- Carson Carels (D, L, 6’1″, 191, Prince George Cougars, 06/23/2008) Logged tough minutes for Canada, finishing +4 with 1A, though we feel he left the tournament wanting more.
Emerging Talents and Special Notes
- Will McLaughlin (D, L, 6’2″, 168, Portland Winterhawks, 03/10/2008, Colorado College) A transition defender who recorded 3A and a +2, adding creative and strong puck movement from the back end.
- Zaide Penner (D, R, 6’0″, 187, Fargo Force, 07/08/2008) A smooth-skating right shot who excelled in transition, finishing with 1G, 1A.
- Nick Bogas (D, L, 6’0″, 176, Waterloo Black Hawks, 07/23/2008) Tied for third among defensemen in goals (2) while standing out as one of the tournament’s best shot blockers, if not the best.
- Samu Alalauri (D, R, 6’2″, 203, Pelicans, 05/31/2008) Finland’s highest scoring defender (1G, 3A), but also tied for second worst plus/minus (-3).
- Jiri Kamas (D, R, 6’1″, 190, Penticton Vees, 03/04/2008) Czechia’s leading goal scorer (3G), but inconsistent offensively and tied for the team-worst -3 rating.
- Lukas Kachlir (D, R, 5’8″, 150, Bili Tygri Liberec U20, 09/05/2009) A 2009-born standout, tied for his team’s scoring lead with 4 points (2G, 2A), finishing even on a team with ten negatives.
Conclusion
The Hlinka-Gretzky Cup is followed closely for its offensive stars, but this year’s tournament showed just how much influence came from the back end. Defensemen like Axel Elofsson, Levi Harper, Juho Piiparinen, Adam Goljer, and Daxon Rudolph not only contributed points but also logged key minutes, set the tone defensively, and shaped the rhythm of games. Their performances show how critical high-end defenders are in international competition. With most of these players tracking toward the 2026 NHL Draft, the habits, leadership and responsibilities they displayed will serve as important indicators for scouts evaluating who could potentially handle top-pairing minutes at the next level. By compiling and analyzing this data, Neutral Zone provides NHL organizations with an early edge in projecting which defenders have the foundation to translate their game to the highest level.
Photo credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images
Axel Elofsson Ryan Lin Ola Palme Malte Gustafsson Levi Harper Zaide Penner Keaton Verhoeff Daxon Rudolph Vilgot Liden Juho Piiparinen Lukas Kachlir Lou Bachler Will McLaughlin Landon DuPont Samu Alalauri Jiri Kamas Adam Goljer Nick Bogas Alofa Tunao Taamu Carson Carels