By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

almost time to drop the puck

Schedule unveiled for 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Red Deer

Jun 2, 2022 | 2:40 PM

The schedule for this summer’s Hlinka Gretzky Cup, which will be hosted entirely by Red Deer, has been revealed.

It will be the first time a Canadian community has hosted the entire tournament — 18 games — when it all goes down July 31-August 6 at the Peavey Mart Centrium.

“We are very excited to bring this event back to Canada, and in partnership with the City of Red Deer and the Red Deer Rebels, host an incredible week of hockey in the community this summer,” said Dean McIntosh, vice-president of events and properties with Hockey Canada.

“This tournament has seen some of the top under-18 players in the world compete against each other for the first time, and this summer will be a chance for fans in Alberta to see players that will suit up at future World Juniors.”

FULL SCHEDULE

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Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team will join Slovakia, Sweden and Switzerland in Group A, while Czechia, Finland, Germany and the United States will form Group B.

The tournament will begin on July 31 with Czechia playing Finland at 11 a.m. MT, the United States facing Germany at 3 p.m. MT and the host Canadians taking on Switzerland at 7 p.m. MT. Canada will round out its preliminary-round schedule against Slovakia on Aug. 2 and Sweden on Aug. 3, with both puck drops at 7 p.m. MT.

The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals on Aug. 5, with the bronze and gold medal games set for Aug. 6 at 12 p.m. MT and 4 p.m. MT, respectively.

“Red Deer is thrilled to host this year’s tournament and welcome the world back to our city,” said Ken Johnston, mayor of Red Deer. “We had the honour of co-hosting this tournament in 2018, and after a cancellation in 2020, we cannot wait to watch the world’s best under-18 hockey players in Red Deer once again.”

Red Deer earned complete hosting duties after co-hosting the 2022 World Juniors in December — a tournament cancelled halfway through. That tournament will be hosted entirely in Edmonton, days after the Hlinka Gretzky Cup is over.

“This tournament is one of the marquee events on the international hockey calendar, and to have it solely in Red Deer speaks to the reputation the community has built for hosting events,” said Merrick Sutter, senior vice-president of the Red Deer Rebels. “All eight countries participating will have players that will go on to have successful professional hockey careers, and this is a chance for families in Red Deer to take advantage of that and join us for an unforgettable week this summer.”

Recruitment information for volunteers will be announced later in June, with more than 150 positions available leading up to and during the tournament.

For more information on the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, visit HlinkaGretzkyCup.ca, or follow along on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.