Standouts from the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup

Each summer, the Hlinka Gretzky Cup serves as the kick-off for NHL Draft scouting season. 

With the world’s top under-18 players gathering to represent their countries, the tournament offers scouts and fans alike a first look at the talent that will shape the upcoming draft class. It’s where future stars make their first major impression, setting the tone for the year ahead and sparking early discussions about who has what it takes to become an NHL player. 

Of course, we can’t do this without a big disclaimer: Despite the hype and media coverage, this was still pre-season summer hockey. Standout performances may give certain players a head start – but looking ahead at the draft and building our first draft boards, none of this should be overvalued. 

With that out of the way, let’s dive right