W-H-L players on Canada’s Under-18 entry in the Hlinka-Gretzky Cup accounted for 17 points in a 14-4 shellacking of co-host Slovakia Tuesday.

Prince Albert Raiders’ forward Ryder Ritchie paced the Canadian attack with a hat-trick, plus two assists for five points. Brandon forward Roger McQueen added two goals and two helpers while fellow Saskatoonian and Spokane forward Berkly Catton tallied twice, including the game-opening goal 26 seconds into the contest. Defending champion Canada has a win and a loss and plays unbeaten Switzerland Wednesday. Following is the news release from Hockey Canada…..

August 1, 2023

HOCKEY CANADA MEDIA RECAP – TUESDAY’S NOTES

2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup – Trencin, Slovakia & Břeclav, Czechia, July 31-Aug. 5

TRENCIN, SVK – Canada’s National Men’s Summer Under-18 Team equaled its second-highest single-game goal total at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, besting co-host Slovakia 14-4 in preliminary-round action on Tuesday.

• Michael Misa (Oakville, ON/Saginaw, OHL) led the offence with two goals and four assists.
• Ryder Ritchie (Calgary, AB/Prince Albert, WHL) registered a hat trick and two assists.
• Roger McQueen (Saskatoon, SK/Brandon, WHL) had two goals and two assists.
• Captain Berkly Catton (Saskatoon, SK/Spokane, WHL) scored twice.
• Henry Mews (Ottawa, ON/Ottawa, OHL) supplied three helpers.
• Justin Poirier (Valleyfield, QC/Baie-Comeau, LHJMQ), Maxim Massé (Rimouski, QC/Chicoutimi, LHJMQ), Porter Martone (Peterborough, ON/Mississauga, OHL) and Carson Wetsch (North Vancouver, BC/Calgary, WHL) had a goal and an assist apiece.
• Cayden Lindstrom (Chetwynd, BC/Medicine Hat, WHL) also scored.
• Cole Beaudoin (Calgary, AB/Prince Albert, WHL), Sam Dickinson (Toronto, ON/London, OHL) and Charlie Elick (Calgary, AB/Brandon, WHL) had two assists each.
• Carter George (Thunder Bay, ON/Owen Sound, OHL) made 15 saves for the win.

Next Game:
Canada vs. Switzerland – Wednesday, August 2 (9:30 a.m. ET/6:30 a.m. PT)

TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada, will broadcast all Team Canada games and select playoff-round games during the tournament; please check local listings for details.

Quotes:

“I thought the guys were really focused, which I expected coming off our last game. Nobody is happy with how our effort turned out [against Finland] and I knew we would come back with a bounce-back game. We have got a job to do now, we have got ourselves into that meaningful, must-win game. We have got to come out and jump on [Switzerland] early, so our message to the team is the exact same. Tonight, it will be important to do the right things and wake up tomorrow thinking about how we are going to play.”

– Head coach Alan Letang (Renfrew, ON/Sarnia, OHL) on preparing to play Switzerland.

“Our team had a huge bounce-back game tonight; we were able to regroup, bear down and get the job done. It is an honour to get picked as an under-ager and have the opportunity to play with all of these amazing players. Any time I have the Maple Leaf on my jersey it is a tremendous honour. I am glad our team is doing well so far.”

– Misa on representing Canada.

“My linemates made great plays on all of my goals tonight. It was a group effort tonight and a big bounce-back game, so I am happy with how we played. We were hard offensively tonight, we played quick, simple hockey and if we can do that again tomorrow, I like our chances. I am confident in our group.”

– Ritchie on finding offensive success.