2023 Hlinka Gretzky Tournament

The Hlinka Gretzky Cup, formerly known as the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, is an annual event. It has been held since 1991 and is traditionally played in August. This tournament is the unofficial kickoff to the NHL Draft scouting season. It features many of the best under-18 players from the major hockey-playing countries, including Canada, the United States, Russia, Sweden, Finland and Czechia among others.

The tournament is named in honor of Ivan Hlinka, one of the most important figures in Czech ice hockey history, and Wayne Gretzky, widely regarded as the greatest hockey player of all time. The renaming to the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in 2018 was part of a move to host the tournament in Canada every other year.

The Hlinka Gretzky Cup is valued by National Hockey League scouts and is a showcase event for players eligible for the NHL Entry Draft.

Canada has been the most successful country in the tournament’s history, having won the most gold medals. The tournament is known for the opportunity it provides for young players to represent their countries on the international stage prior to their draft season.

Lastly, although we are not the biggest fans of the tournament as far as NHL Draft scouting goes, It is a nice week In August to ease into the draft season before everything really gets rolling about a month later.

2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup schedule: