2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup: Burcar, Pue highlight top standouts from Day 1
Note: Games in the smaller community rink will not be broken down this week due to a lack of a proper broadcast.
The 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup is officially underway in Edmonton.
Both the defending champions – the United States – and the hosts – Canada – came away with victories during the tournament’s return to Rogers Place.
The opening game was highlighted by a hat-trick for USA forward Gavin Burcar. His first goal came at 13:29, just a few minutes after Joey Cullen kicked things off. Ryland Rooney and Colin Grubb then split Burcar’s other two goals that ultimately made it a 6-2 game after 40 minutes.
Czechia struggled to get going early, despite goals from Lukáš Kachlíř and Jiri Gombar through the first 25 minutes of play. But a second goal from Kachlíř and one from Adam Nemec in the third put the pressure back on the Americans. USA would end up being fine, with Kaeden Tate holding on down the stretch to help secure the 6-4 victory for USA.
Canada, meanwhile, found themselves trailing Switzerland after 5:30 of play. Brock England started the night off with a quick goal, but Jonah Neuenschwander and Sam Neff tallied goals on consecutive shifts to make it 2-1. That advantage wouldn’t last for long, though, as Liam Pue would score twice, while Camryn Warren and Ryerson Edgar would also find the back of the net to make it 5-2 after 20 minutes of play. The game slowed down a bit from there, but Ben Veitch opened the lead up to 6-3. Alessandro Domenichelli would score one for Switzerland, while England tallied his second, to help finish the game with a score of 7-3.
Here’s a look at the top performers for the two games at Rogers Place today:
Czechia 4, USA 6
Czechia
#4 Lukáš Kachlíř, D: Kachlíř had an eventful start to this one. He looked a little antsy under attack and fanned on a couple of chances but really started to figure out the game as it wore on. Kachlíř scored the first Czech goal through traffic and continued to be the offensive leader for this team, which included the third goal, too. This is a good Czech team with a lot of talent, but Kachlíř might be one of their most important players because he’s always looking to create something from the point. Kachlíř is a smaller defenseman which will likely hurt his draft stock. But he has first-round talent for sure
#12 Adam Nemec, LW: Nemec was one of Czechia’s top players heading into the tournament so there were plenty of eyes on him from the get go. He had the fourth goal to put the pressure on the Americans late in this one after a couple of decent looks earlier on. Nemec is a skilled, smart forward who does an impressive job of getting himself into the slot and he’s always looking to take advantage of some poor defensive mistakes by his opponents. Look for Nemec to continue being a force.
#14 Melichar Kovar, RW: Kovar didn’t get on the scoresheet, but he was one of the more dangerous forwards today. He continuously got into scoring lanes and had a couple of superb looks in front. It was surprising Kovar wasn’t able to get anything past Tate because he was just buzzing all game long, and it seemed like the American defenders couldn’t figure him out.
USA
#4 Jake Prunty, D: Prunty had a pair of assists in this one today. Expectations were high for him after a strong season in the USHL, which also included a short run with the U.S. U-17 team. He’s set for full-time USNTDP duty this year, where the small puck-moving defenseman should eat quite a bit of ice time. His defensive game is pretty solid for a smaller blueliner, and I like how he moves the puck. Defenders who process plays and move the puck like he does will get interest from scouts.
#7 Gerry DiCunzolo, LW: DiCunzolo only had nine points in his first year in the OHL, but had two points in the first year today. I think he’s a lot more skilled than he got credit for last year, especially given how well he played with Shattuck’s. The Penn State University commit is good on the rush, partly because he’s an intelligent puckhandler. I’m hoping to see him really break out in Edmonton.
#10 Gavin Burcar, C: Burcar was a man on a mission today. He registered the first hat trick of the tournament off three absolute misses. Beyond the release, Burcar has even better hockey sense which allowed him to continuously get himself into scoring lanes all game long. Burcar was just feeling it every time he had the offensive zone, and I even liked a few of his backchecks. He’s going to be a danger for everyone else the rest of the way.
#11 Ryland Rooney, RW: I was very impressed with Rooney’s game at the USA Hockey 17 Boys Festival last month. So I was excited to see how he was going to perform on the big stage. Rooney had a goal and an assist in the first half of this game to help get USA well ahead. His numbers in the USHL last year were nothing to get too excited about. But Rooney’s a big forward who doesn’t lose a ton of battles. He seems to be playing with a bit more confidence than the last time I saw him. I’ll continue to keep a close eye on him.
#20 Joey Cullen, C (2028): Cullen is the youngest player the Americans have ever brought to this tournament, but his impact in Game 1 was incredible. He scored the opening goal and then had another good look late in the period but ultimately took a penalty instead. He’s a skilled, fast skater who plays with purpose and seems to always know what he wants to do next. Even though he’s younger, I expect him to continue being an impact player for this American team.
Canada 7, Switzerland 3
Canada
#9 Landon DuPont, D: It was games like today where DuPont proved he doesn’t need to put up a ton of points to be effective. Just about every decision he made seemed controlled. He never seemed to be baited under pressure. And he had the skill and speed to get himself out of trouble when needed. DuPont is projected to be the first prospect off the board next June, partly because his all-around game is already so advanced. That’s what I wanted to see at an event like this; I wanted to see a determined defenseman showing how detailed he can be all over the ice. DuPont doesn’t need to be flashy to be effective, and that’s fun.
#14 Camryn Warren, LW: Warren was the third-best player on his own line, but that shouldn’t take away from his outstanding performance. He had two points in the first period alone while winning most of the physical battles to give that extra space for the two Regina youngsters. Warren is a skilled player, and it’s been fun watching him develop the past couple of years. It feels like he’s not getting a ton of hype for this year’s draft, partly because he didn’t put up big numbers last year. I think the offense will come in spades this year.
#16 Brock England, LW: England was like a Hypercar blasting past LMGT3 traffic at 3:00 AM on the Mulsanne in this one (maybe five of you people will get that reference). He was by far the fastest player on the ice, and that allowed him to score two goals today (including a beautiful individual effort on the penalty kill). The projected first-round pick is unstoppable when he gets up to speed and makes life so miserable for opposing defenders.
#17 Ryerson Edgar, RW: Edgar had a goal early in this one and then continued to be one of the hardest-working forwards on the ice. The Niagara IceDogs star is capable of going toe-to-toe, skill-wise, with anyone on the ice. That’s because he’s so slick with the puck and seems to always know what to do with it. The Canadians seemed to slow down a bit in the second half today, but Edgar consistently gave a full effort every single shift
#19 Maddox Schultz, C (2028): Schultz had the primary pass on the 2-2 goal and then had another helper on the 5-2 goal. He’s just so smart and free to start to refine the game already at a young age. The projected first overall pick in 2028 isn’t particularly big, but he’s elusive, skilled, and always standing for the right pass at the right time. That level of hockey sense is going to make him a star in the NHL.
#23 Liam Pue, RW (2028): Pue had a flashy game today, scoring two goals and an assist in the first period alone. Obviously, the chemistry with Schultz is undeniable, but Hugh does a lot away from the puck as well. I remember the first few times I watched him play, and it felt like he was a bit shy to do anything that didn’t involve offensive dominance, but his two-way game has continued to improve in a big way. He’s going to have an explosive tournament.
Switzerland
#17 Alessandro Domenichelli, RW: Domenichelli is one of the other few Swiss players I like. Domenichelli assisted on the first goal and made a great play on the third Swiss marker, as well. We’ve seen him play a pivotal role with Switzerland in the past thanks to his high-end skill and hockey sense. He’s not overly physical, but he doesn’t get pushed around often. I like his wrist shot, but I’ve also come to like him more as a playmaker over the past year.
#19 Jonah Neuenschwander, C: Neuenschwander is clearly a step above the rest on this Swiss team. He had a goal on a great shot at 4:50 on the power play and then won most of his battles along the boards. The big power forward does an impressive job of breaking through the middle. Given his exposure to high-level hockey the past few years, you can tell he plays such a mature game. I’m not as convinced he’s a top 10 prospect as many others are, but he is easily one of the most well-rounded players you’ve seen come out of Switzerland in quite some time. I can’t wait to continue watching him closely.
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