Blake Fiddler and what we learned on Day 4 of the U18 Worlds

Blake Fiddler has grown up around hockey his whole life.

Vernon Fiddler, his dad, played nearly 900 NHL games in his hockey career despite going undrafted.

So, would the younger Fiddler — who was born in Nashville, TN and grew up in Texas, host site of the 2025 IIHF World Under-18 Championship — have bragging rights over is father when he’s selected at the 2025 NHL Draft?

“I don’t know, he’s played a lot more NHL games than I have,” Fiddler said. “The draft hasn’t happened yet, you know? It’s cool to get the opportunity like this to play for my country and have the chance to go in the draft and stuff. So he’s proud of me and it’s pretty cool.” 

Fiddler, no. 28 in FCHockey’s Spring ranking for the 2025 draft, admires his father, of course.

And, understandably, he’s trying to take in as much advice as he can from his dad’s personal experiences.

“He’s helped a lot with me growing up,” Fiddler said. “But he didn’t have the chance to get drafted and all that. This is kind of his first time around too. He’s learned and so have I and he’s really helped me on trying to just focus on my main goal. Have tunnel vision, don’t worry about all the other noise and all the draft rankings and stuff. It really doesn’t matter.” 

With his dad playing 366 games over parts of five NHL seasons in Texas, Fiddler grew up in the area and played for the Dallas Stars Elite.

Safe to say, getting to represent his country in a place where he grew up playing is a unique and outstanding feeling.

“It’s always an honor to wear the USA jersey and I’m excited,” Fiddler said. “It’s been cool to be able to do it at home where I grew up playing for so long.”

Top Performances

Vojtech Cihar had his best showing of the U18 Worlds in Czechia’s 4-2 win against Switzerland. The 18-year-old was named Czechia’s best player after netting a  highlight reel goal and adding a beautiful assist. Cihar was generally in the right spots and made positive plays throughout the entire game. 

LJ Mooney was at it again. The undersized Team USA forward had three points, all assists, in an energizing 6-3 win versus Sweden. It wasn’t all just points for the 5-foot-7 center,  though. Mooney threw several big-time, tone-setting hits for his side. His speed and edgeworked shined once again, too, as did his craftiness. 

The 2026 NHL Draft class has a good one in Ivar Stenberg, who was exceptional for Sweden in a losing effort. He was all over the ice — a positive influence as a forechecker, transitional presence, and as a shooter in the offensive zone. Oh, and he had two goals, too. 

Quotables

“I think I can do certain things, like maybe play deeper and anticipate where the play is going to go because I know he’s got my back.” — Joey Slavick on what it’s like to have Fiddler defending in front of him. 

Scouting report