U.S. Triumphs Over Czechia, 4-3, in Opening Match of U17 Four Nations Tournament
CHOMUTOV, Czechia – Four players from the U.S. Under-17 Men’s Select Team found the net in a 4-3 triumph over Czechia to kick off the 2026 Under-17 Four Nations Tournament today at Rocknet Arena.
“Our players performed admirably against a very competitive Czech squad,” stated Guy Gosselin (Grafton, Wis.). “We played with speed, but there are areas we need to improve as we move forward. I was pleased for the team to secure the win, and we will strive to enhance our performance to achieve more victories in hockey.”
Austin Hall (Livonia, Mich.) initiated the scoring for the U.S. just 65 seconds into the match. He took the puck from a Czech defender in front of the goal and fired a shot past the goalie’s blocker.
Team USA goaltender Chase Pastor (Burlington Township, N.J.) made several outstanding saves around the midpoint of the first period. He first lunged to make a cross-crease stop before executing another save to maintain the U.S. lead.
GAME PHOTOS
Levi Ellingsen (Pasco, Wash.) was awarded a penalty shot with just over a minute left in the first period, which was stopped by Czech goaltender Matyas Novotny.
Pastor continued to excel with a penalty-shot save against Czechia’s Dominik Zelezny midway through the second period, keeping Team USA in the lead by one goal.
Aiden Kelly (Rochester, Mich.) extended the U.S. lead at 14:47 of the second period, firing a one-timer past Novotny from the left faceoff circle after receiving a pass from Dylan Delgado (Weston, Fla.).
Czechia’s Jakub Jirota narrowed Team USA’s advantage to 2-1 at 18:33, batting a puck out of the air from the slot past Pastor following a centering pass from Zelezny.
Henry Meier (Woodbury, Minn.) restored a two-goal cushion for the U.S. at 1:16 of the third period, capitalizing on a breakaway opportunity created by a stretch pass from Eli Bimmerle (Bartonville, Texas).
Jack Riehl (Mars, Pa.) increased Team USA’s lead to 4-1 at 16:51 with a shorthanded goal, beating Novotny on a breakaway with a deke to his backhand.
Czechia responded just 17 seconds later on the power play, as Marek Sedlacek scored with a shot from the slot. Lucas Andrejko reduced the U.S. lead to one at 17:25 with a one-timer following a cross-ice pass from David Przeczek, resulting in the 4-3 final score.
Pastor concluded the match with 25 saves in the win.
The U.S. Under-17 Men’s Select Team will face Switzerland in their second game of the 2026 Under-17 Four Nations Tournament tomorrow (Aug. 16) at 3 p.m. local (9 a.m. ET). A stream of the game is available HERE.
NOTES: Chase Pastor was named U.S. Player of the Game … Team USA outshot Czechia, 33-28.
2026 U17 Four Nations 
Team USA Roster
