Hlinka Gretzky Cup Underway in Edmonton, Showcasing Top NHL Draft Prospects

By Liam Tremblay — 31 July 2026 — 3 min read

The Hlinka Gretzky Cup is underway in Edmonton, showcasing some of the top prospects for the 2027 NHL Draft. Representatives from all 32 NHL franchises are in attendance for the event, which features players eligible for both the 2027 and 2028 drafts. This tournament serves as an early look at potential future NHL talent.

Among the Canadian prospects drawing attention is defenceman Landon DuPont. DuPont, who turned 17 in May, has already completed two WHL seasons as a U17 player. He recorded 73 points, with 18 goals and 55 assists, in 63 games with the Everett Silvertips in one season, adding 23 points in the postseason. In a previous season, he tallied 60 points, including 17 goals and 43 assists, in 64 regular-season games. DuPont was granted exceptional status by Hockey Canada at age 15. He recently committed to the University of Michigan, planning to join the team this fall for the 2026-27 season. His strengths include his skating, puck handling, intelligence, and creativity. He also played penalty kill minutes for the Silvertips.

Another Canadian player to watch is centre Alexis Joseph. Joseph recorded 60 points as a QMJHL rookie and had six goals and 13 points in five games at the U-17 World Challenge. He is described as a modern-day power forward who skates strongly and plays with pace. Joseph uses his size to move past opponents and possesses natural skill.

Other Prospects to Follow

Brock England, a Canadian centre, is also participating in the tournament. He scored more than 20 goals and 50 points as a WHL rookie. England is noted for his strong skating, ability to create chances, and playmaking. He is also described as a forward who is not afraid of physical contact.

Canadian defenceman Brock Cripps had a significant WHL rookie season, registering 37 points in the regular season and 21 points in 20 postseason games. Cripps is considered a highly skilled defenceman with strong hockey sense.

From Czechia, defenceman Lukas Kachlíř is expected to play a key role. He previously performed well at this event and has played games in the top professional league in Czechia. Kachlíř is described as a skilled defender who moves well and can shoot from the point. Forward Michal Hartl, also from Czechia, has experience with the U-18 team and is known for adapting his game and handling defensive assignments. Another Czech forward, Adam Nemec, recently signed with the OHL’s Brantford Bulldogs and is recognized for his playmaking and intelligence.

Finland is represented by defenceman Lenni Kokkonen and forward Luca Santala. Kokkonen, who has a 6-foot-2 frame, is known for his puck distribution and smart decision-making under pressure. Santala had a strong international season, scoring at nearly a goal-per-game rate with the I-18 national team and also playing in the U-20 division. He possesses an excellent shot and can dominate shifts.

From Sweden, centre Dorian Eklund Aspe, standing at 6-foot-4, is noted for his size and confident playmaking. Defenceman Douglas Johnsson is described as a skilled European blueliner with excellent skating and puck-moving abilities. Centre Milan Sundström, the son of former NHL player Niklas Sundström, is a hard-working forward known for his play reads and passing.

Tournament Details

The tournament features teams from Canada, the USA, Sweden, Finland, Czechia, Slovakia, Germany, and Switzerland. The USA is the defending champion. Canada has historically dominated the tournament, winning when it was last held in Edmonton in 2024. The event is not operated by the IIHF, allowing for most of the top eligible talent to participate without conflicts from late-season injuries or major junior playoffs.

The Hlinka Gretzky Cup began on Monday, with medal games scheduled for August 8.

Canada is in Pool A with Sweden, Switzerland, and Slovakia, with all games at Rogers Place. Pool B includes the USA, Finland, Czechia, and Germany, with games scheduled from August 3-6.

Source: dailyfaceoff.com