L'Italien, MacKenzie win gold at Hlinka

Photo - Hockey Canada Twitter

Defenceman Malik L'Italien and head coach Brad MacKenzie are 2026 Hlinka Gretzky Cup champions. 

Team Canada won gold on Saturday evening in Edmonton, AB at the under-18 tournament, after defeating the United States 8-1 in the championship game. This was Canada's fourth trophy in the last five years. 

L'Italien had a point in the victory and finishes the tournament with a goal and two assists in five games. Meanwhile, MacKenzie was behind the bench as an assistant coach. Canada finished the tournament with a perfect 5-0 record. 

GAME OVER! IT'S GOLD IN EDMONTON! 🇨🇦🇺🇸

MATCH FINI! MÉDAILLÉS D’OR À EDMONTON! 🇨🇦🇺🇸

📊 https://t.co/hU5AoHBg95
📊 https://t.co/EdF5Cx7RiP #HlinkaGretzkyCup | #CoupeHlinkaGretzky | @UpperDeckSports pic.twitter.com/iGvecpEZDn

— Hockey Canada (@HockeyCanada) August 9, 2026

The other Mooseheads player in the tournament was USA's defenceman Cameron Minella who assisted on the Americans lone goal in the final match. He finished with three helpers over 5 games. 

In the bronze medal game, Finland won 3-2 in regulation against Slovakia. 

Congrats to Malik and Brad on becoming gold medalists along with Cameron taking home a silver medal.