Edmonton to host National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team training camp for Hlinka Gretzky Cup

By Ethan Gagnon — 22 July 2026 — 3 min read

Hockey Canada has announced the 27 players selected for Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team training camp. This camp is a preparatory step for the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, which will take place from August 3-8 in Edmonton. The initial roster includes three goaltenders, nine defencemen, and 15 forwards.

The selection process for the roster involved Program of Excellence (POE) general manager Alan Millar, POE head scout Byron Bonora, and U18 assistant general manager Yanick Lemay. They also received input from Scott Salmond, senior vice-president of high performance and hockey operations, and Benoit Roy, director of hockey operations.

Millar expressed enthusiasm for the group of young players, noting that the staff worked to identify a roster believed to offer the best chance for success on home ice. The training camp is scheduled from July 27 to August 1 at NAIT Arena and Rogers Place in Edmonton. It will feature practices and a game against Sweden on July 30. Additionally, the team will play against Czechia on August 1 as part of the pre-tournament schedule before the final roster is determined.

Team Composition and Notable Players

Among the 27 players, 25 previously participated in the U17 World Challenge, representing either Canada Red or Canada White. One player, DuPont, earned a bronze medal at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, while Joseph represented Canada at the 2026 IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship.

Six players from the Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) are among those attending the training camp. These include Alexis Joseph of the Saint John Sea Dogs, Malik L’Italien from the Halifax Mooseheads, and Quinn Norman and Benjamin Veitch, both from the Newfoundland Regiment. Goaltenders Sam Berthiaume of the Cape Breton Eagles and Mathis Fortin from the Drummondville Voltigeurs complete the QMJHL contingent.

Joseph, a centre, played for the Sea Dogs and also participated in the U17 World Challenge and the U18 Worlds team. L’Italien, a blueliner for Halifax, is also attending the camp. Norman and Veitch, both from St. John’s, play for their hometown team, the Newfoundland Regiment. Veitch had a playoff run with five goals and two assists during Newfoundland’s advancement to the second round of the playoffs. Berthiaume, a goaltender, played one QMJHL game for Cape Breton last season. Fortin, another goaltending prospect, appeared in 10 games for the Voltigeurs.

Coaching and Support Staff

The coaching staff for Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team has also been named. Ryan Oulahen will serve as head coach. He previously acted as an assistant coach at the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, where Canada won gold. Assistant coaches include Ryan McDonald, Brad MacKenzie, and Kyle Chipchura. Jeff Harvey is the goaltending coach, and Matthew Smith is the video coach.

Millar highlighted the coaching staff’s experience, particularly in short-term international competitions, as a valuable asset for the team. Oulahen has completed his seventh season as head coach of the North Bay Battalion of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and has previous experience as an assistant coach with Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team, winning gold medals in 2024 and 2018. McDonald, in his first full season as head coach of the WHL’s Prince Albert Raiders, led the team to a 50-win season and the WHL championship series. MacKenzie was promoted to head coach of the Halifax Mooseheads of the QMJHL in July 2025, guiding them to the playoffs in his first season. Chipchura completed his second season as an assistant coach with the Edmonton Oil Kings of the Western Hockey League (WHL).

The support staff includes Colton Reiley and Taylor Cochrane as athletic therapists, Dr. Danielle Kelton as team physician, Andrew MacNeill and J.R. Grant as equipment managers, Byron Bonora as hockey operations head scout, Mitchell Furlotte as hockey operations manager, Jake Grison as hockey operations coordinator, and Spencer Sharkey as media relations manager.

Canada will commence its 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup campaign against Switzerland on August 3 at 5 p.m. MT. The team will then face Slovakia on August 4 and Sweden on August 5 to conclude the preliminary round before the medal games on August 8.

Source: hockeycanada.ca