Canada’s National Men’s Under-18 Team jumps right back into action Friday, facing Czechia as the preliminary round continues at the 2024 IIHF U18 World Championship at Vantaa Trio Areena.

Last Game

On Thursday, Canada kicked off the prelims with a 6-3 victory over Sweden. Jett Luchanko and Malcolm Spence gave the Canadians an early 2-0 lead, Gavin McKenna scored twice in 1:49 apart in the first period, and Matthew Schaefer and Carson Wetsch rounded out the scoring. Carter George stopped 26 shots for the win.

Czechia opened its tournament Thursday with a 3-0 win over Switzerland. Maxmilian Curran opened the scoring early in the first period, before Tomas Poletin and Marek Danicek added insurance markers in the third. Jakub Milota made 17 saves for the shutout.

Last Meeting

Canada and Czechia last met a year ago at Worlds, with the Canadians winning 8-3 to close the preliminary round. Matthew Wood had a hat trick, Macklin Celebrini had three assists and Ty Halaburda recorded a goal and two helpers. Carson Bjarnason made 23 saves between the pipes.

What to Watch

How about Gavin McKenna? The 16-year-old recorded 34 goals, 63 assists and 97 points in 61 games with the Western Hockey League’s Medicine Hat Tigers this season, seeting a WHL record for assists by a rookie. Not eligible until the 2026 NHL Draft thanks to a Dec. 20 birthday, McKenna set a tournament record at the 2023 Canada Winter Games when he posted 31 points (16-15—31) in just seven games on P.E.I.

The only returning forward for the Czechs is Adam Jecho, who crossed the Atlantic (and most of Canada) to play this season with the WHL’s Edmonton Oil Kings. In 54 games, the 18-year-old registered 23 goals and 47 points in the Alberta capital. Jecho is already on the board in Vantaa, assisting on Tomas Poletin’s goal in the tournament opener.

A Look Back

This will be the 18th meeting between these Canadians and Czechs at U18 Men’s Worlds and Canada has a slight edge in the head-to-head history, with nine wins and a tie.

All-time record: Canada leads 9-7-1 (1-3 in OT)
Canada goals: 69
Czechia goals: 45