The Hlinka Gretzky Cup is an annual international under-18 ice hockey tournament, held in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The tournament is named after Wayne Gretzky and Ivan Hlinka, two of the greatest hockey players of all time. The tournament is one of the most prestigious international hockey tournaments for under-18 players and is often seen as a preview of the NHL draft.
History of the Hlinka Gretzky Cup
The Hlinka Gretzky Cup was first held in 1991 and has been held annually since 1994. The tournament is organized by the Czech Ice Hockey Association and the Slovak Ice Hockey Association. The tournament is typically held in August and features 12 teams from around the world.
Format of the Hlinka Gretzky Cup
The Hlinka Gretzky Cup is a round-robin tournament, with each team playing each other once. The top four teams in the round-robin advance to the semifinals, with the winners of the semifinals advancing to the gold medal game. The losers of the semifinals play in the bronze medal game.
Teams Competing in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup
The Hlinka Gretzky Cup features 12 teams from around the world. The teams that compete in the tournament vary from year to year, but typically include Canada, the United States, Russia, Sweden, Finland, and the Czech Republic.
Players to Watch in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup
The Hlinka Gretzky Cup is a great opportunity to see some of the best young hockey players in the world. Some of the players to watch in this year's tournament include:
- Connor Bedard (Canada)
- Matvei Michkov (Russia)
- Simon Nemec (Slovakia)
- Lucas Raymond (Sweden)
- Alexander Holtz (Sweden)
Where to Watch the Hlinka Gretzky Cup
The Hlinka Gretzky Cup will be broadcast live on NHL Network in the United States. The tournament will also be streamed live on the IIHF website.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Hlinka Gretzky Cup
Q: When is the Hlinka Gretzky Cup?
A: The Hlinka Gretzky Cup is typically held in August.
Q: Where is the Hlinka Gretzky Cup held?
A: The Hlinka Gretzky Cup is held in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
Q: What teams compete in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup?
A: The Hlinka Gretzky Cup features 12 teams from around the world, including Canada, the United States, Russia, Sweden, Finland, and the Czech Republic.
Q: Who are some of the players to watch in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup?
A: Some of the players to watch in this year's tournament include Connor Bedard (Canada), Matvei Michkov (Russia), Simon Nemec (Slovakia), Lucas Raymond (Sweden), and Alexander Holtz (Sweden).
Q: Where can I watch the Hlinka Gretzky Cup?
A: The Hlinka Gretzky Cup will be broadcast live on NHL Network in the United States. The tournament will also be streamed live on the IIHF website.