Memorial of Ivan Hlinka

Every August, Hockey Canada holds a development/selection camp. Under the watchful eyes of a coaching and scouting staff, the players experience play on an international ice surface and are introduced to many elements of the international hockey experience. At the conclusion of the camp, twenty-two players are named to the National Men's Under-18 Summer Team which takes part in the Memorial of Ivan Hlinka tournament in Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

Canada also competes at the IIHF World Under-18 Championship, taking part in the championship for the first time in 2002, and winning their first gold medal in 2003 in Russia. Because the playoffs are still underway for many of the players in this age group, the team is comprised of players not involved in the playoffs in the Canadian Hockey League, the Canadian Junior A Hockey League or NCAA and CIS hockey.

Once they have moved through the Under-18 program, the National Junior Team is the next challenge that faces the players internationally. Over two thirds of the players who have starred at the World Juniors have donned the maple leaf for the National Men's Under-18 Team.