Team USA Defeats Germany, 8-1, in Hlinka Gretzky Cup Match
EDMONTON, Alberta – In an impressive display, eight players from the U.S. Under-18 Men’s Select Team found the net in an 8-1 triumph over Germany during their final preliminary-round match of the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup today at Downtown Community Arena.
Team USA concluded the preliminary round with an unblemished record of 3-0-0-0 (W-OTW-OTL-L), securing the top position in Group B. The U.S. is set to face Slovakia in the semifinal round on Friday (Aug. 7) at 12 p.m. local time (2 p.m. ET) at Rogers Place. The matchup will be aired on NHL Network.
“We witnessed another strong performance from our players to wrap up the preliminary round,” stated Reid Cashman (Red Wing, Minn.), head coach of the U.S. Under-18 Men’s Select Team. “We take pride in our team for achieving the top seed and gaining the chance to compete in the medal round. Our squad has put forth tremendous effort in all three games thus far.”
Germany’s Emil Sender initiated the scoring at 5:52 of the first period.
Team USA answered back at 8:05, with Trevor Shorter (Elmhurst, Ill.) netting an unassisted goal.
Ethan Sung (Pasadena, Calif.) recorded his third goal of the tournament at 17:41, with assists from Shorter and Colin Grubb (Burlington, N.D.), giving the U.S. a 2-1 lead at the conclusion of the first period.
GAME PHOTOS
GAME STATS
Gerry DiCunzolo (Buffalo, N.Y.) extended Team USA’s lead at 1:17 of the second period. His first goal of the tournament was set up by Sung.
Grubb added another goal at 7:11, assisted by Cameron Minella (Darien, Conn.) and DiCunzolo, increasing the U.S. lead to 4-1.
Team USA capped off a four-goal second period with strikes from Nolan Snyder (Seven Fields, Pa.) at 16:51 and Ryland Rooney (Dellwood, Minn.) at 19:11.
Gavin Burcar (Coto De Caza, Calif.) netted the seventh goal for the U.S. at 6:24 of the third period, assisted by Snyder and DiCunzolo. Joey Cullen (Moorhead, Minn.) scored at 12:36, finalizing the score at 8-1.
NOTES: Colin Grubb was recognized as the U.S. Player of the Game … Team USA outshot Germany, 36-17 … The U.S. converted 1-4 on the power play, while Germany went 0-5.
2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup 
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