Canada’s Under-18 (U18) Hlinka Gretzky Cup team started their competition with a bang. 

The team pounded Slovakia 10-1 in a pre-tournament game at the Bill Hunter Arena in Edmonton Thursday night. 

Whitehorse’s Gavin McKenna had a goal and an assist for the Canucks. 

Braeden Coates scored twice and added an assist for the winning team. 

Caleb Desnoyers also tallied three points (one goal, two assists). 

Matthew Schaefer added a goal and an assist. 

“We were trying to establish a bit of an identity and at times we played to it. There were lots of teachable moments and some things we need to clean up, but we’re happy with the win,” said Team Canada Head Coach Kris Malette. 

Canada’s next game is another pre-tournament match with Czechia in the Downtown Community Arena. 

Canada opens the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup against Switzerland on Aug. 5 at 6:30 p.m. local time. 

It will also face Slovakia and Sweden in the preliminary round before the tournament concludes with the medal games on Aug. 10.

TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada, will broadcast all games from Edmonton; check local listings for more details.

– With files from Hockey Canada