Hockey Canada has revealed the rosters for its U17 and U18 Selection/Development Summer Camps. As anticipated, the OHL is strongly represented, contributing 50 players to the 119 invited in total.
Hockey Canada has revealed the rosters for its U17 and U18 Selection/Development Summer Camps. As anticipated, the OHL is strongly represented, contributing 50 players to the 119 invited in total.
1️⃣1️⃣9️⃣ players have earned invitations to Program of Excellence summer camps. 🏒🇨🇦
— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) July 17, 2025
1️⃣1️⃣9️⃣ joueurs ont été invités aux camps du Programme d’excellence cet été. 🏒🇨🇦#HlinkaGretzkyCup | #CoupeHlinkaGretzky | #WorldU17 | #MondialM17
In this article, we are focusing on the 20 OHL players selected to Canada's National Men's Summer Under-18 Team Selection Camp. This camp will serve as an opportunity for the best 2008-born Canadians to make Team Canada for the upcoming 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, set to be held in Brno, Czechia, and Trencin, Slovakia from Aug. 11-16.
The Camp is being conducted at the Sixteen Mile Sports Complex in Oakville, Ontario, from July 29-Aug. 1. It will include a pair of Red-White games on July 31 and Aug. 1. Following camp, Canada’s U18 Team will practice at MET Arena in Szekesfehervar, Hungary, from Aug. 3-6. They will take on Hungary’s national under-20 team on Aug. 7 in Budapest and Slovakia on Aug. 9 at Easton Arena in Piestany as part of their pre-tournament schedule.
Ten OHL Players Named To USA's Hlinka Gretzky Cup Selection Camp USA announced the 38 players who have been invited to their 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup selection camp. The camp is being held in Plymouth, Michigan at the USA Hockey Arena from July 28-Aug. 3.
In a rather rare occurrence, three of the four goaltenders hail from Ontario, with Guelph Storm netminder Colin Ellsworth seen as the frontrunner to occupy Team Canada’s crease for the upcoming U18 tournament.
Windsor and Kitchener each have three representatives, with all eyes on 2024 first-overall pick Ethan Belchetz. Sarnia, Owen Sound, and Guelph all have two representatives.
Below are the 20 OHL players attending the summer camp in Oakville later this month:
F, Ethan Belchetz - 6’5”, 227lbs - Windsor Spitfires
F, Alessandro Di Iorio - 6’0”, 185lbs - Sarnia Sting
F, Beckham Edwards - 6’1”, 176lbs - Sarnia Sting
F, Colin Fitzgerald - 6’2”, 195lbs - Peterborough Petes
F, Jean-Christoph Lemieux - 6’0”, 176lbs - Windsor Spitfires
F, Pierce Mbuyi - 5’10”, 156lbs - Owen Sound Attack
F, Alex McLean - 5’10”, 173lbs - Guelph Storm
F, Adam Valentini - 5’9”, 185lbs - Kitchener Rangers
F, Parker Vaughan - 6’1”, 188lbs - North Bay Battalion
F, Braidy Wassilyn - 5’11”, 200lbs - Niagara IceDogs
F, Dimian Zhilkin - 5’9”, 162lbs - Saginaw Spirirt
F, Cole Zurawski - 6’0”, 181lbs - Owen Sound Attack
LHD, Lucas Ambrosio - 6’4”, 177lbs - Erie Otters
LHD, Callum Croskery - 6’0”, 174lbs - Soo Greyhounds
RHD, Kohyn Eshkawkogan - 5’9”, 164lbs - Ottawa 67’s
RHD, Carter Hicks - 6’1”, 160lbs - Windsor Spitfires
LHD, Jacob Xu - 6’2”, 185lbs - Kitchener Rangers
G, Gavin Betts - 5’11”, 173lbs - Kingston Frontenacs
G, Colin Ellsworth - 6’1”, 186lbs - Guelph Storm
G, Jason Schaubel - 5’11”, 165lbs - Kitchener Rangers
Spitfires First Overall Pick Ethan Belchetz Wears #61 and Models His Game After Rick NashMore on what the Windsor Spitfires are getting with their first overall pick Ethan Belchetz.
There is a ton of highly-talented players coming out of the OHL who will look to boost their 2026 NHL Draft value in the early going at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
Can 2024-25 OHL Rookie of the Year — Pierce Mbuyi — make the team and showcase his offensive talents and scoring ability?
Adam Valentini and Callum Croskery were both highly-touted prospects coming out of Ontario in their OHL draft year, but decided to head down the NCAA route. However, with the new college and CHL rules, they are making their way back home to play for Kitchener and Sault Ste. Marie, respectively, for the 2025-26 season.
Lastly, the dynamic Sarnia Sting duo of Di Iorio and Edwards both played as underage players at the spring U18 tournament this year, winning gold with Canada. How much of that experience will they utilize if they make the team — which they should — to benefit Canada’s roster.
(Top photo credit: Natalie Shaver & Terry Wilson/OHL Images)
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