The youngest players on Team Canada made a big impact in the tournament opener.
Regina Pats forward Liam Pue scored twice while teammate Maddox Schultz assisted on both goals as Canada rolled to a 7-3 victory over Switzerland to open the 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup on Monday in Edmonton.
The 16-year-old Pats duo, the youngest players on Canada's roster, helped the host nation pull away after a wild opening period that featured six goals in the first nine minutes.
Canada couldn't have asked for a better start when 2027 NHL Draft-eligible defenceman Boston Tait started a rush that led to Owen England opening the scoring just 1:18 into the game by banking the puck off the Swiss goaltender from behind the net.
Switzerland answered quickly, scoring twice in 40 seconds to grab a brief lead before Canada responded with a flurry of its own. Pue struck twice during Canada's offensive surge, with Schultz collecting assists on both Regina-connected goals.
Canada continued to control the game in the second period. Saskatoon product Kayden Stroeder, who plays for the Edmonton Oil Kings, set up Benjamin Veitch with a perfect pass for a redirection at the top of the crease to extend the Canadian lead to 6-2.
The Canadians dominated the play throughout the afternoon, outshooting Switzerland 48-25.
Neither team found much success on the power play. Canada finished 0-for-3 with the man advantage, while Switzerland went 1-for-3.
Canada returns to action Tuesday when it takes on Slovakia as preliminary-round play continues at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup.
