Schaefer, Hamilton to lead Canada into Hlinka Gretzky Cup
Defensemen Matthew Schaefer and Reese Hamilton, each eligible for the 2025 NHL Draft, will lead Canada into the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
The tournament, an unofficial kickoff to the 2025 scouting season, will run from Aug. 5-10 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, AB.
Schaefer, who doesn’t turn 17 until next month, had 17 points (three goals, 14 assists) as a 16-year-old last season for Erie in the Ontario Hockey League. Hamilton had 31 points (eight goals, 23 assists) in 42 games for Calgary in the Western Hockey League.
“Schaefer and Hamilton have the potential to be two of the top defensemen in the 2025 draft,” FCHockey scout Aaron Vickers said. “Each has the skills, smarts and execution to be an impact-maker for Canada at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.”
The pair will be joined by top draft-eligible forward Caleb Desnoyers.
Desnoyers, who was named to the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League’s all-rookie team, had 56 points (20 goals, 36 assists) in 60 regular-season games and two points (one goal, one assist) in four playoff games for Moncton in 2023-24.
“He has both the soft skill and hard skill required to make a difference on the Hlinka stage,” Vickers said. “Desnoyers has the ability to play an incredibly strong 200-foot game without sacrificing his offensive instincts, and is expected to be one of the tournament’s most reliable players in all situations.”
Gavin McKenna, the reigning Canadian Hockey League rookie of the year, was also named to the team. He is the projected top pick in 2026.
Michael Misa of Saginaw in the OHL, a projected top-five pick in 2025, was unable to participate in camp because of injury and will not play at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
Here is Canada’s full roster for the Hlinka Gretzky Cup:
GOALIES:
Jack Ivankovic, Brampton (OHL); Lucas Beckman, Baie-Comeau (QMJHL).
DEFENSEMEN:
Jackson Smith, Tri-City (WHL); Peyton Kettles, Swift Current (WHL); Matthew Schaefer, Erie (OHL); Reese Hamilton, Calgary (WHL); Quinn Beauchesne, Guelph (OHL); Alex Huang, Chicoutimi (QMJHL); Cameron Reid, Kitchener (OHL).
FORWARDS:
Gavin McKenna, Medicine Hat (WHL); Jake O’Brien, Brantford (OHL); Brady Martin, Sault Ste. Marie (OHL); Emile Guite, Chicoutimi (QMJHL); Tyler Hopkins, Kingston (OHL); Cole Reschny, Victoria (WHL); Ethan Czata, Niagara (OHL); Ben Kindel, Calgary (WHL); Cameron Schmidt, Vancouver (WHL); Liam Kilfoil, Halifax (QMJHL); Luca Romano, Kitchener (OHL); Caleb Desnoyers Moncton (QMJHL); Braeden Cootes, Seattle (WHL).