Spotlight: 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup - Pt.2

More Takeaways from the Hlinka Gretzky Cup - Pt.2

In Part 1 of this series, I kicked off my breakdown of the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, diving into the tournament's significance and profiling two standout players—Radim Mrtka and Blake Fiddler. Both of these young defensemen made a lasting impression, each for different reasons, and could be on Utah Hockey Club’s radar come the 2025 NHL Draft.

But as thrilling as it was to watch those two players, they were just the tip of the iceberg. This year’s Hlinka Gretzky Cup was packed with talent, with several other prospects catching my eye for their performance on the ice. Whether it's their potential fit for Utah Hockey Club or simply their standout play, these five players demand attention as we continue to scout the future of hockey. Reminder: this is not a ranking, just a list of standouts who could potentially be fits for Utah in the first few rounds of the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.

So, let’s dive right back in and take a closer look at five additional prospects who made a strong case for themselves during the tournament. And stay tuned for Pt.3 of this series, with the final installment of standout players.

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Standout Players

#1 Alex Huang - Canada - 6’0” - RD

(Credit: Jonathan Kozub / Hockey Canada Images)

Alex Huang was a standout during the tournament, playing a key role in Canada’s Gold Medal victory. While his defense partner Matt Schaefer captured all the headlines with his incredible breakout performance, Huang’s steady, dependable play was instrumental to Shaefer’s success. Huang was the solid anchor that allowed Schaefer to run wild and flourish.