USA Hockey has released the roster of athletes who will attend the upcoming Selection Camp, a crucial stepping stone for the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. The camp serves as the final evaluation point before the international tournament that will bring together eight national teams.
Selection Camp Overview
The camp will open on July 23 in Saint Paul, Minnesota, where the invited prospects will take part in on‑ice drills, strength testing and team‑building activities. The environment is designed to simulate the pressures of international play while giving coaches a chance to assess chemistry and depth.
Five players have earned invitations: Gavin Burcar, Brooks DeMars, Kaeden Tate, Colin Grubb and Whitaker Rewertz. Each brings a distinct profile, from Burcar’s 17‑point rookie season with the Spokane Chiefs to DeMars’ role on the Penticton Vees, who set a CHL win record as an expansion team.
Kaeden Tate, who posted a 2.51 goals‑against average for the Kamloops Blazers, and Colin Grubb, the 2024 WHL U.S. Priority Draft selection, add goaltending and defensive depth to the mix. Whitaker Rewertz, who previously skated alongside DeMars at the USA S16 Tournament, completes a group that shares competitive experience at the national level.
Tournament Outlook
The 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup will be held in Edmonton, Alberta, from August 3 to August 8. The event will feature teams from Canada, Czechia, Finland, Germany, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland and the United States. The defending champions, the United States, are slated to open their campaign against Czechia on August 3.
The United States’ 2025 title run included six WHL players who contributed to the gold‑medal effort, underscoring the league’s growing influence on the international stage. This year’s camp participants are seen as potential contributors to that tradition, with several already on NHL radar screens.
Beyond the on‑ice action, the camp offers a platform for these young athletes to showcase leadership, adaptability and resilience — qualities that coaches say are as important as raw skill when shaping a championship roster.
Fans and analysts will be watching closely as the camp’s outcomes could influence not only the immediate tournament lineup but also the broader development pathways of these prospects within the professional ranks.