History

Hlinka Gretzky Cup, formerly known as the Junior World Cup and Pacific Cup, has been held annually since 1991, with the first tournament being held in Japan. Since 1997, the tournament has taken place in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, although only since 2002 has the tournament been held in both countries simultaneously. In 2018 the name of the tournament was changed to Hlinka Gretzky Cup and is hosted alternately by Czech Republic+Slovakia and Canada.

Involving players under the age of eighteen, the Hlinka Gretzky Cup is the premier showcase for hockey talent from Europe and overseas. The teams that regularly feature in the tournament are: Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, Russia, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland and the USA. In the past, the tournament has helped introduce the likes of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Steven Stamkos to the international stage.

The most successful nation at the tournament so far has been Canada, who have won gold a staggering twenty two times in twenty-five attempts. Including the Soviet Union’s 1991 victory, Russia have won gold four times, while Czech Republic, Sweden and the USA have one gold medal to their credit so far.

History

Medal table