Jonathan Kozub | Hockey Canada Images
FCHockey
Staff
August 11, 2024

Here’s who impressed most at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup

It’s August.

The 2025 NHL Draft won’t be held for another 10 months, give or take a few days.

So no need to panic. No need to over-evaluate. No need to hype.

But still get excited.

Because, if the early returns at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup are any indication, the 2025 draft class is shaping up to feature some top-end talent NHL teams are surely going to covet.

And some of the names put their best skate forward on ice to launch themselves into the spotlight amongst their peers at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

Here were the top performances from 2025 draft eligibles at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup:

Adam Benak | C | CZECHIA

Adam Benak turned the tournament on it’s ear with electric play throughout the round robin and elimination portion of the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. The 5-foot-7, 157-pound center was the center of attention for Czechia, holding a share of the tournament lead in goals with four while finishing second in scoring with 11 points. He’s the all-time tournament leader in production, too, with 20 points (six goals, 14 assists) over two showings.

“It shouldn’t be a surprise Benak shredded the Hlinka Gretzky Cup after his work in the showcase last year, but that doesn’t mean what he did is not impressive,” FCHockey crossover scout Aaron Vickers said. “Benak was the tournament’s most electric player, planting himself firmly on the radar as a high-end prospect for the 2025 draft. There’ll be questions about his size, for sure, but there’s no questioning the fun factor in Benak’s game.”

Caleb Desnoyers | C | CANADA

Caleb Desnoyers came, saw, and conquered. The 200-foot center showed offensive flair, defensive acumen, a physical touch, and leadership en route to helping Canada to gold. The stat line — five points (one goal, four assists) in five games — doesn’t blow the doors off, but doesn’t do enough to paint the picture for the projected top-10 pick in 2025.

“Desnoyers was a do-it-all forward for the Canadians and, for my money, their most consistent player from game to game at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup,” FCHockey scout Donesh Mazloum said. “There is really no weakness to pick apart in his game as he is impactful in all three zones and led the way for the Canadian forward corps in every situation. His brand of detail oriented, pro-style, and 200-foot game is sure to be coveted by NHL teams early in the 2025 draft.”

Blake Fiddler | D | TEAM USA

Blake Fiddler had the added benefit of some home-ice advantage at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, and Team USA’s captain didn’t disappoint. Fiddler, who plays for Edmonton in the Western Hockey League, had four points (one goal, three assists) and might’ve netted the snipe of the tournament with a wonderful end-to-end rush. The 6-foot-4 blueliner didn’t hurt his chances of being a first-round pick in the 2025 draft as a result of his efforts.

“I saw the consistent strides Fiddler made throughout last season as a member of the Edmonton Oil Kings, and it was nice to see him get his moment in the spotlight on the international stage,” Mazloum said. “Fiddler, game in and game out, led the way for the Americans both as a defensive stalwart and as a catalyst for offense on the counter attack. As a 6-foot-4 defenseman with ever improving mobility, he’s certainly one to keep an eye on.”

Milton Gastrin | C | SWEDEN

Milton Gastrin did just about everything Sweden could ask for out of its captain, helping them to bronze in the process. Gastrin finished tied for second in team scoring with 10 points (three goals, seven assists) and elevated himself to first-round contention in the process with his showing at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

“Gastrin really grew on me throughout the tournament and it quickly became apparent why he was selected as the captain for Sweden,” Mazloum said. “He is a true lead-by-example talent, bringing effort and detail regardless of the score. Whenever momentum seemed to wane for the Swedes, it was usually Gastrin who was dragging them back into the fight. His competitive drive, size, and intelligence have him tailor made as an impact two-way center at higher levels”

Jack Ivankovic | G | CANADA

Jack Ivankovic showed why he’s the frontrunner to be the first goaltender off the board at the 2025 draft. The calm, cool, and collected netminder was a metaphorical brick wall in backstopping Canada to gold with a miniscule 0.75 goals-against average and stingy .967 save percentage.

“Ivankovic’s standout showing at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup was backed by incredibly controlled movement pattern and the ability to read pucks better than his peers,” FCHockey goaltending scout David Phillips said. “Ivankovic’s ability to control his movement and maintain a high rate of speed is truly outstanding, and his ability to make saves look easy is incredibly impressive.”

Viktor Klingsell | LW | SWEDEN

Viktor Klingsell might not have entered the Hlinka Gretzky Cup as the highest anticipated Swedish forward in the event, but he might very well have left that way. The 5-foot-10 winger torched the tournament with a showcase-leading 12 points (four goals, eight assists) in five games — one off the all-time single-Hlinka mark shared by five other skaters.

“Klingsell led the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in scoring and truly wowed at times with his ability to feather the puck into the smallest gaps,” Mazloum said. “I don’t think he had an equal in the passing department at this tournament, showing all the hallmarks of an elite playmaker. He has the proverbial ‘eyes in the back of his head,’ and maximizes that vision with perfect precision and execution of his ideas. Sweden’s forward depth was, at times, uneven, so they leaned heavily on Klingsell and his line to earn the bronze medal.”

Radim Mrtka | D | CZECHIA

Radim Mrtka stood out amongst his peers — literally. The 6-foot-6 Czech blueliner was head and shoulders above most of the competition, and did so at both ends of the ice with his brand of physical two-way hockey. He finished with two points — both assists — in five games, and a massive impression that could see him push as a potential first-round contender in 2025.

“Mrtka stood out, literally, amongst his peers in this tournament,” Vickers said. “There’s a lot of rawness to his game, but it’s impossible not to notice the hulking defenseman on the ice for all the good work he did in all three zones at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. As a result, he’s established himself as one of the most intriguing defensemen in the draft class.”

Jake O’Brien | C | CANADA

Jake O’Brien wasn’t the biggest player on the ice, nor the fastest. And he certainly wasn’t the most productive. But the all-round game he put forth is worthy of mentioning. He was a little bit of everything en route to Canada’s gold.

“It’s crazy to think O’Brien went the entire Hlinka Gretzky Cup without a point but still find his way on the list, but it’s absolutely deserving of the multi-faceted forward,” Vickers said. “O’Brien’s little details led to a lot of chances offensively, and prevented them on the defensive side of the puck. He’s already established himself as a favorite for the 2025 draft.”

Matthew Schaefer | D | CANADA

Matthew Schaefer, Canada’s captain, was not only the best blueliner in the tournament but he may very well have been the top skater, too. He wowed with offense and impressed with defense. He led Canada literally, and metaphorically, with his two-way play that netted him six points (two goals, four assists) in five games.

“No one stood out the way Schaefer did,” Vickers said. “He absolutely controlled and dominated games at both ends of the ice, and it won’t be a surprise to see him challenge for a top three pick in the 2025 draft. He has that kind of upside, and backed it up big-time at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.”

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