Photograph credit score: Werner Krainbucher / Puckfans.at
Greater than a dozen CHL gamers have an opportunity to make historical past as we speak with the USA on the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
Because the People play for gold, they’re hoping to safe simply their second ever championship on the occasion and their first since 2003.
13 signed CHL gamers have helped the People to this second whereas one other prospect in Blake Zielinski (Ottawa 67’s / OHL) sits fourth in event scoring with eight factors (4G/4A).
On Friday, it was the CHL contingent that acquired the USA into their first ultimate since 2016 (the place they fell to Czechia) after victory over Canada. After that they had seen a 3-1 lead evaporate within the third interval, and a 10-minute time beyond regulation determine nothing, incoming forwards Joseph Salandra (Barrie Colts / OHL) and Nikita Klepov (Saginaw Spirit / OHL), in addition to Zielinski, all scored in a 3-1 shootout win because the People beat Canada 4-3. It was the USA’s first victory over their North American rivals on the event in additional than 20 years.
In earlier years, medals have been onerous to return by for the USA on the Hlinka Gretzky Cup; they fell within the bronze medal recreation final yr in Edmonton to Sweden and whereas they completed third in 2023, have solely medalled as soon as up to now seven tournaments.
At the moment, they’re going to get one other crack on the Swedes. Within the round-robin, the USA held a 3-1 lead however in the end fell 5-3. Sweden have been the event’s highest scoring crew the place London Knights prospect Marcus Nordmark has starred with seven objectives and 12 factors in 4 video games.
A medal is assured as we speak – what color it’s could nicely come right down to the USA’s CHL corps.
Signed CHL gamers on USA’s 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup roster:
Levi Harper – D (Saginaw Spirit, OHL)
Will McLaughlin – D (Portland Winterhawks, WHL)
Alofa Tunoa Ta’amu – D (Edmonton Oil Kings, WHL)
Noah Davidson – F (Drugs Hat Tigers, WHL)
Nolan Duskocy – F (Charlottetown Islanders, QMJHL)
Brody Gillespie – F (Spokane Chiefs, WHL)
Shaeffer Gordon-Carroll – F (Drugs Hat Tigers, WHL)
Caden Harvey – F (Windsor Spitfires, OHL)
Nikita Klepov – F (Saginaw Spirit, OHL)
Brooks Rogowski – F (Oshawa Generals, OHL)
Joseph Salandra – F (Barrie Colts, OHL)
Kalder Varga – F (Kelowna Rockets, WHL)
Jaxon Williams – F (Ottawa 67’s, OHL)
