Top 10 standouts from Canada’s 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup training camp
OAKVILLE – Yep. It’s the dog days of summer. That’s why we’re writing about a junior hocke selection camp.
The 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup runs from Aug. 11-16 in Czechia and Slovakia, featuring some of the best 2026 and 2027 NHL Draft talent across the world. Hockey Canada held its selection camp in Oakville, Ontario this week, featuring multiple practice sessions and a pair of intra-squad scrimmages.
I – and scouts from every NHL team and various colleges – was there for three days to get an early read on Canada’s roster, which should be announced in the coming days. Here is a look at some of the top prospects from the two exhibition games:
Canada Red
#5 Landon Dupont, D (2027 NHL Draft): Not only was DuPont one of the most noticeable players on the ice, but he was also one of the fastest. We know Dupont can exploit open ice with his great edge work and top speed, but he already looks faster and more engaged. His creativity is incredible and he knows exactly when to rush into the offensive zone and when to be a bit more reserved. DuPont is going to annihilate players on the power play one day.
#18 Cooper Williams, LW: Williams made a huge first impression, scoring twice in the opening game with two identically impressive shot releases. The Saskatoon Blades forward did a great job of getting himself into scoring lanes, and it didn’t seem to matter who he played with, either. This was my first time watching him and I liked how often he was involved around the net.
#41 Parker Vaughan, RW: Vaughan was consistently one of Red’s best players. He made some great plays at both ends, and even had a few end-to-end rushes. He reads plays well, and knows when it’s just better for him to take the puck the distance instead of trying to find a proper pasing partner. Vaughan is skilled, smart but also strong enough to fend off defenders quite easily.
#43 Jayden Plouffe, LW: Plouffe might be small, but he’s not afraid of anything. He was one of Canada’s most physical plays, landing some big hits for someone standing just 5-foot-9. Plouffe also won some battles with just his pure skill, and I liked his speed, too. If he makes Canada’s Hlinka roster, it’ll be as a fourth-line energy forward. Smaller players know they need to be tougher to carve out NHL careers and I feel like a team will use a pick on Plouffe because he’s fearless.
#44 Jean-Cristoph Lemieux, RW: Fast, smart, and skilled. That’s the best way to describe Lemieux’s week. In the drills on Wednesday, I thought he was one of the more creative players on the ice. And then in the games, he made some tremendous passes, including a great spin deke late in the second period of Game 2 to give Red some life. Given how dominant he was at the U-17s, none of this is surprising.
Canada White
#3 Keaton Verhoeff, D: Verhoeff took a penalty in the second game that can only be described as “being bigger than the guy he hit.” He’s a towering presence, and attackers had difficulty trying to beat him in 1-on-1 situations. I like the way he moves and the way he makes decisions under pressure. I’ve seen him play better, but for summer hockey, he already looked a step ahead of most defenders.
#5 Ryan Lin, D: Lin is the real deal, man. He was easily the best player in the opening game and then continued with a tremendous goal in Game 2. By alHe might not be big, but he’s smart and has the skills to take his game up a level. I loved him at the U-17s, but it feels like he’s a lot more confident these days. He’s going to have a huge season in Vancouver.
#8 Kohyn Eshkawkogan, D (2027 NHL Draft): I wanted to see more out of Eshkawkogan at the U-17s last fall but he made up for it with a great showing this week. He blasted a shot to make it 1-0 in the second game, and I’m surprised he didn’t have another goal or two. He’s smart, skilled, and works hard to win every battle despite being a bit smaller.
#12 Pierce Mbuyi, LW: While I didn’t notice him too much in the D-zone, Mbuyi was one of the most dangerous in the offensive zone. He created three breakaways for himself thanks to his heads-up play and quick skating. His quick hands make him dangerous, and he doesn’t seem to lose many 1-on-1 situations.
#42 Gavin Betts, G: Betts was the best goalie of the four at camp. He’s small, but he’s athletic with a great glove hand and he never gives up on a play. He made some excellent saves in the second half of the opening game and was a difference-maker during his half of the second game, too. Many looked at Colin Ellsworth and Carter Esler as the top two goalies heading to Europe, but I thought Betts’ athleticism and puck tracking stood out this week.
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