Tournaments & Showcases
The Hlinka Gretzky Cup
An under-18 international tournament held in early August. It is the first big stage for many future stars, and the unofficial start of the hockey calendar each year.
The Hlinka Gretzky Cup is an annual under-18 international tournament held in early August, well before any league season starts. For many top prospects it is their first time on the international stage, and it serves as an early read on the next year's NHL Draft class.
Format and teams
Eight nations compete: typically Canada, the United States, Sweden, Finland, Czechia, Slovakia, Switzerland, and Germany. The format is round-robin in two groups, then crossover semifinals and a final. Games are short-tournament style: tight schedule, one bad period can end a run.
Why August
Holding the tournament in August lets the world's top under-18 players compete before they head off to their fall programs (CHL, NCAA, European pro junior). It also means the tournament happens before the players' final NHL Draft year, so scouts get an early look at the entire next class together.
Hosting and history
The tournament was renamed in 2018 to honour both Ivan Hlinka and Wayne Gretzky. It is co-administered by Hockey Canada and the Czech and Slovak federations, with hosting alternating between Edmonton and a co-hosted Czechia/Slovakia edition (Brno and Trenčín shared the 2025 tournament; 2026 returns to Edmonton). Canada, the United States, and Sweden have been the most consistent contenders.