Calgary’s DuPont headlines Canada’s Hlinka Gretzky Cup camp roster

Photo by Canadian Hockey League (CHL)


EDMONTON — Landon DuPont will get another opportunity to help Canada return to the top of the podium at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.



The Everett Silvertips defenceman headlines 27 CHL players invited to Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team training camp ahead of the Aug. 3-8 tournament in Edmonton.



DuPont is the only invitee with previous Hlinka Gretzky Cup experience after helping Canada capture bronze in 2025. The 2026 WHL champion became the first defenceman granted exceptional-player status in league history and was selected first overall in the 2024 WHL Prospects Draft.



He is one of three former No. 1 picks attending camp. Regina Pats forward Maddox Schultz was selected first overall in the 2025 WHL Prospects Draft, while the Saint John Sea Dogs chose Alexis Joseph first in the 2025 QMJHL Entry Draft.



Joseph represented Canada at the 2026 IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship after recording 60 points in 54 games during his rookie season with Saint John.



The camp roster consists of three goaltenders, nine defencemen and 15 forwards. The WHL leads the way with 11 invitees, followed by the OHL with 10 and the QMJHL with six.



Twenty-three CHL clubs are represented, with Kingston, Newfoundland, Prince Albert and Regina each sending two players.



“This is a talented and well-rounded group of young players,” Program of Excellence general manager Alan Millar said.



Twenty-one invitees are eligible for the 2027 NHL Draft. Six are eligible in 2028: goaltenders Sam Berthiaume and Leif Oaten, defenceman Quinn Norman, and forwards Liam Pue, Maddox Schultz and Benjamin Veitch.



Twenty-five of the 27 players represented Canada Red or Canada White at the 2025 U17 World Challenge, where the two Canadian teams met in the gold-medal game. Oaten, Schultz, Joseph and Prince Albert defenceman Brock Cripps were named tournament all-stars.



North Bay Battalion coach Ryan Oulahen will lead Canada alongside assistants Ryan McDonald, Brad MacKenzie and Kyle Chipchura.



Training camp runs from July 27 through Aug. 1 in Edmonton. Canada will face Sweden in a camp game July 30 before meeting Czechia in pre-tournament action Aug. 1.



The final roster will then be selected before Canada opens the Hlinka Gretzky Cup against Switzerland on Aug. 3 at 5 p.m. MT. Canada will face Slovakia on Aug. 4 and Sweden on Aug. 5 before the medal games conclude the tournament Aug. 8.



Canada’s training-camp roster



Goaltenders



Sam Berthiaume — Cape Breton Eagles
Mathys Fortin — Drummondville Voltigeurs
Leif Oaten — Lethbridge Hurricanes



Defencemen



Kaden Aucoin — Sarnia Sting
Brock Cripps — Prince Albert Raiders
Landon DuPont — Everett Silvertips
Peter Green — Brampton Steelheads
Matt Henderson — Kingston Frontenacs
Malik L’Italien — Halifax Mooseheads
Cooper McAslan — London Knights
Quinn Norman — Newfoundland Regiment
Boston Tait — Wenatchee Wild



Forwards



Brock Chitaroni — Ottawa 67’s
Ryerson Edgar — Niagara IceDogs
Brock England — Seattle Thunderbirds
Ben Harvey — Prince Albert Raiders
Alexis Joseph — Saint John Sea Dogs
Aleks Kulemin — Kingston Frontenacs
Charlie Murata — Flint Firebirds
Ludovic Perreault — Victoria Royals
Liam Pue — Regina Pats
Maddox Schultz — Regina Pats
Chase Surkan — Brandon Wheat Kings
Kayden Stroeder — Edmonton Oil Kings
Benjamin Veitch — Newfoundland Regiment
Camryn Warren — North Bay Battalion
Jaakko Wycisk — Guelph Storm