The Hlinka Gretzky Cup just wrapped up, so its time to write about 2027 NHL Draft Prospects in the tournament. Several 2027 NHL Draft prospects delivered stellar performances at the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, where Team Canada captured its 26th title in a dominant 8-1 gold-medal victory over Team USA. According to scouting reports from multiple sources, the following draft-eligible players significantly raised their stock during the tournament.
Landon DuPont (D) CAN
The consensus projected No. 1 overall pick for 2027 served as Canada’s captain and absolute engine from the blue line. He recorded eight points in five games, putting on a playmaking clinic that culminated in a spectacular four-assist performance in the gold-medal game.
Jaakko Wycisk (RW) CAN
Wycisk finished first among all 2027 draft eligibles in tournament scoring, racking up 10 points across five games while serving as a primary elite setup man for his linemates. He was primarily a set-up guy for Kayden Stroeder and Ben Veitch, but it felt like nobody could handle him.
Kayden Stroeder (C) CAN
Stroeder proved to be an incredibly reliable offensive threat, regularly driving play down the middle and capitalizing on chances, including a pair of marquee multi-point games. . If any Canadian boosted their stock in Edmonton, it was Stroeder, who showed how outstanding of a skater he can be. He’s a bit undersized, but I think he’ll make up for that by the way he gets around the ice and his willingness to shoot from anywhere.
Alexis Joseph (C) CAN
At 6-foot-5 and over 200 pounds, the alternate captain utilized his massive frame and exceptional 200-foot coordination to dominate the physical side of the game while flashing high-end power-play distribution skills.
Camryn Warren (LW) CAN
Warren routinely stepped into open ice to generate high-danger scoring chances, notably scoring in back-to-back games during the preliminary rounds.
Gavin Burcar (C) USA
Committed to Michigan State, Burcar was the clear offensive spearhead for the Americans, leading his team in goal-scoring and demonstrating elite pace-of-play and drive through the offensive zone. This tournament has been excellent for his draft stock because he has proven he shoot, create opportunities, win faceoffs and win physical battles. I’m excited to follow him closely this year.
Jake Prunty (D) USA
Prunty had four assists in the round robin and was generally one of USA’s most impactful defenders with the puck. His defensive game is pretty solid for a smaller blueliner, and I like how he moves the puck. Defenders who process plays and move the puck like he does will get interest from scouts.
Lukas Kachlir (D) CZE
One of the top-rated defensemen entering the tournament, Kachlíř was a bright spot for Czechia, playing heavy minutes and excelling in transition and defensive positioning. At 5-foot-8, there’s a lot playing against Kachlíř here. He needs to be truly dominant with the puck to avoid size concerns in the NHL. But at the junior level, he can be absolutely unstoppable at times, and was easily one of the most impactful defenders in Edmonton.
Milan Sundstrom (C) SWE
Sundström was excellent for Sweden, registering 5 points in just 3 games. Scouts heavily praised his big 6-foot-4 frame, transition responsibility, and ability to challenge defenders using clean crossover techniques.
Jonah Neuenschwander (C) SUI
A potential top-10 talent for Switzerland, Neuenschwander carried a heavy workload for the Swiss, standing out with his 6-foot-3 frame and creative puck-carrying capabilities.
Neuenschwander didn’t have an explosive tournament offensively by any means, but he was easily Switzerland’s best two-way player and one of the few play-drivers capable of making something happen.
Lucas Santala (F) FIN
Representing Finland, Santala posted 3 points in 3 games, living up to his billing as a highly skilled playmaker who forces opponents onto their heels.
Lenni Kokkonen (D) FIN
The offensive defender had three points in two round-robin games and then was one of the top standouts during the semifinals. Kokkonen has a strong, 6-foot-2 frame and isn’t afraid to throw the body against older competition like he does back home. Kokkonen is always looking for the right pass and is capable of making smart decisions under pressure.
Tomas Selic (RW) SLO
Selič had one of the most dominant efforts in recent Hlinka Gretzky history, registering a whopping four goals and six points in a 6-2 win over Switzerland to help Slovakia qualify for the medal round. Selič was extremely impressive at the U-18s last spring and should factor into Slovakia’s push to chase another medal at that event next April. Selič was excellent in the Czech U-20 league last season and should earn some more time with Brno’s top-division team in 2026-27.
Jakub Husar (G) SLO
Husár was left out to dry basically all of last year, so it was nice to see him have some actual support this time around. And he made it count, with excellent showings against Sweden and Switzerland. The 6-foot-2 goalie doesn’t have many foundational flaws in his game. Husár has stolen his fair share of tight games over the past few years, internationally and domesitcally. Scouts have noticed; some consider him one of the top goalies for the draft already.
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