Three skilled young hockey players have been chosen to represent Canada in the upcoming Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Edmonton. The prestigious tournament, named after hockey legends Ivan Hlinka and Wayne Gretzky, will take place from August 2nd to 7th.
The three players, who have been dubbed “hitmen” for their impressive skills on the ice, were selected by Hockey Canada’s Program of Excellence management group. They are all members of the Western Hockey League’s (WHL) Calgary Hitmen team.
The first player selected is 17-year-old Sean Tschigerl, a forward from Whitecourt, Alberta. Tschigerl was the fourth overall pick in the 2018 WHL Bantam Draft and has been a standout player for the Hitmen, scoring 14 goals and 17 assists in 58 games last season.
Joining Tschigerl on the team is 16-year-old defenceman Grayden Siepmann from Abbotsford, British Columbia. Siepmann was the 11th overall pick in the 2019 WHL Bantam Draft and had an impressive rookie season with the Hitmen, recording 3 goals and 12 assists in 57 games.
Rounding out the trio is 17-year-old goaltender Ethan Buenaventura from Calgary, Alberta. Buenaventura was the 34th overall pick in the 2018 WHL Bantam Draft and had a strong season with the Hitmen, posting a 2.64 goals against average and a .902 save percentage in 14 games.
The Hlinka Gretzky Cup is an annual tournament that showcases the top under-18 players from around the world. This year, the tournament will feature teams from Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States.
The Canadian team will be coached by Michael Dyck, head coach of the WHL’s Vancouver Giants, and will be looking to defend their gold medal from last year’s tournament.
The Hlinka Gretzky Cup is not only a chance for these young players to showcase their skills on a global stage, but also a stepping stone towards their ultimate goal of playing in the National Hockey League (NHL).
Congratulations to Sean Tschigerl, Grayden Siepmann, and Ethan Buenaventura on their selection to the Canadian team for the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. We wish them the best of luck in the tournament and in their future hockey careers.
