A trio of Saskatoon products, plus a Blades mainstay, will don Canadian colours for the upcoming Hlinka-Gretzky Under-18 men’s hockey tournament next week in Red Deer.
Forwards Brayden Yager and Riley Heidt plus defencemen Caiden Price and Tanner Molendyk were named to Canada’s 23-man roster for the July 31st through August 6th event. Yager was the W-H-L Rookie-of-the-Year this past season with Moose Jaw. Heidt and Price are also from Saskatoon, playing for Prince George and Kelowna, respectively, while Molendyk suited up for the Blades. Canada plays Finland Friday in a pre-tournament contest before taking on Switzerland Sunday evening in the opening game of the eight-country event. Following is a news release from the W-H-L…..
TWELVE WHL PLAYERS NAMED TO CANADIAN ROSTER FOR 2022 HLINKA GRETZKY CUP
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE / MONDAY, JULY 25, 2022
Calgary, Alta. – A total of 12 Western Hockey League players will suit up for Canada at the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, slated for July 31-August 6 in Red Deer, Alta.
Hockey Canada announced the roster Monday afternoon.
WHL Players – National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team
| Last Name | First Name | Team | Hometown | Height | Weight | Position |
| Bjarnason | Carson | Brandon Wheat Kings | Carberry, Man. | 6’3” | 176 | G |
| Ratzlaff | Scott | Seattle Thunderbirds | Irma, Alta. | 6’1” | 165 | G |
| Unger | Jackson | Moose Jaw Warriors | Calgary, Alta. | 6’1” | 181 | G |
| Molendyk | Tanner | Saskatoon Blades | Kamloops, B.C. | 5’11” | 176 | D |
| Price | Caden | Kelowna Rockets | Saskatoon, Sask. | 6’1” | 181 | D |
| Weinstein | Saige | Spokane Chiefs | Edmonton, Alta. | 6’0” | 174 | D |
| Benson | Zachary | Winnipeg ICE | Chilliwack, B.C. | 5’10” | 150 | F |
| Cristall | Andrew | Kelowna Rockets | Burnaby, B.C. | 5’9” | 150 | F |
| Heidt | Riley | Prince George Cougars | Saskatoon, Sask. | 5’11” | 179 | F |
| Howe | Tanner | Regina Pats | Prince Albert, Sask. | 5’8” | 176 | F |
| Lind | Kalan | Red Deer Rebels | Shaunavon, Sask. | 6’0” | 152 | F |
| Yager | Brayden | Moose Jaw Warriors | Dundurn, Sask. | 6’0” | 161 | F |
Ten of the 22 WHL Clubs will be represented on the Canadian roster at the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. The Kelowna Rockets and Moose Jaw Warriors each have two players on the roster, while the Brandon Wheat Kings, Prince George Cougars, Red Deer Rebels, Regina Pats, Saskatoon Blades, Seattle Thunderbirds, Spokane Chiefs and Winnipeg ICE each have one player named to the Canadian roster.