"I want revenge": Adam Benák's quest for gold and the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft

EDMONTON, Alberta - Adam Benák isn't interested in settling for another silver medal at the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup.

Czechia’s star forward was the breakout player in last year's tournament despite being in his draft-minus-one season. The 10 points he scored through five games were enough to guide his country to a gold medal game against Canada, but he was just a little short of taking home the trophy.

He hasn’t forgotten about it either. “I won a silver medal, now I think it’s time for revenge against Canada,” Benák told reporters in Rogers Place.

After beginning the tournament with two helpers in a 2-1 victory over the Americans, the 17-year-old stepped up and scored a hat trick and five points in a 7-3 drumming of the Germans. It was a record-breaking outing.

Benák finished the round-robin porti