Critiquing USA Hockey’s Hlinka Gretzky Cup selections

London Knights left wing Antonio Stranges was left off the Hlinka Gretzky Cup team. (Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)

There were some surprising omissions from the 2019 U.S. Under-18 Men's Select Team that will represent USA Hockey at the 2019 Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Breclav, Czech Republic, and Piestany, Slovakia, from Aug. 5-11.

Players were invited to compete for the U.S. Under-18 Men’s Select Team following the conclusion of the USA Hockey Select 17 Player Development Camp that took place the past week at Northtown Center in Amherst, N.Y.

Players born in 2002 are eligible to compete in the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, the first major international scouting event ahead of the 2020 NHL draft. It’s a significant tournament, as it’s a key chance for first-year eligible players to get in front of NHL scouts.