Saginaw Spirit players Cole Perfetti and Tristan Lennox named to Canadian U18 National Team roster for 2019 IIHF Hlinka Gretzky Cup

 

A pair of second year Saginaw Spirit player's; Cole Perfetti (forward) and Tristan Lennox (goal tender) have been named to the 2019 Canadian under-18 Summer National Team roster, where they will represent their country at the 2019 International Ice Hockey Federation Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Breclav, Czech Republic and Piestany, Slovakia for five days (Aug. 5-10) this summer. 

 

Hockey Canada finalized its decision earlier today with the help of Brad McEwen from the U-18 Program of Excellence management group after forty-four of the countries best under-18 skaters were invited to Calgary to compete for one of the final 22-roster spots. 

 

“We were pleased with the level of competition at selection camp,” McEwen said. “Our staff is confident in the 22 players that have earned their spot on Team Canada for the Hlinka Gretzky Cup. The skill and intensity showed by all 44 players at camp made our decisions difficult, but we know our players and staff will embrace the opportunity to wear the Maple Leaf as we look to bring home a gold medal.”

 

Perfetti is one of 13-forwards to make the team, while Lennox is one of 2-goal tenders added to the roster today. 

 

Previously called the Ivan Hlinka Cup, the tournament was re-branded as the Hlinka Gretzky Cup last year, adding former NHL super star Wayne Gretzky's name when the Alberta cities of Edmonton and Red Deer co-hosted the 2018 tournament, where Canada defeated Sweden 6-2 to capture the gold medal last summer. 

 

Canada will take on Slovakia in a pre-tournament contest on Aug. 3, in Piestany before moving to Breclav, where it will open the 2019 Hlinka Gretzky Cup against Finland on Monday Aug. 5, at 9:30 am EST (6:30 am PST) while all of the Team Canada tournament games will be broadcast by TSN and RDS (check local listings for details). 

 

Competing against the Czech Republic and Slovakia U-18 national teams in this tournament going back to 1991, Canada has been the dominant participant among the three countries, bringing home gold 22-times, along with 2-silver and 1-bronze medal over the past 28-years.