Canada Wins Gold at 2021 U18 Worlds

Photo Credit : Chris Tanouye & Ryan McCullough/HHOF-IIHF Images

Seven CSSHL alumni from six different accredited schools won gold with Team Canada in Texas at the U18 World Championships:

  • Connor Bedard – West Van Warriors (Regina Pats/WHL)
  • Tyler Brennan – Rink Hockey Academy Winnipeg (Prince George Cougars/WHL)
  • Corson Ceulemans – OHA Edmonton (Brooks Bandits/AJHL)
  • Dylan Guenther – Northern Alberta Xtreme (Edmonton Oil Kings/WHL)
  • Thomas Milic – BWC Academy (Seattle Thunderbirds/WHL)
  • Logan Stankoven – Yale Hockey Academy (Kamloops Blazers/WHL)
  • Olen Zellweger – OHA Edmonton (Everett Silvertips/WHL)

Canada faced-off against Russia on May 6 and fell behind just five minutes into the game. Shortly after missing a penalty shot, Bedard scored a highlight reel backhand goal to tie the game at one. A pair of late first period goals saw the game tied heading into the second before Canada would score two second period goals including the eventual game winner from Stankoven. Canada would survive a late third period scare before team captain Shane Wright scored an empty netter, securing a 5-3 Team Canada victory.

The youngest player at the tournament, Bedard finished tied for second in points with 14 including recording a goal and an assist in the Gold Medal game. Bedard was one of three forwards named to the tournament Media All-Star Team, joining Canadian defenseman Brandt Clarke.

With an assist on Bedard’s first period goal Ceulemans finished with eight points in six games, tied for the tournament lead among defensemen with his former OHA Edmonton teammate Zellweger, who with an assist of his own in the finals, finished with eight points in seven games.

Despite being held off the scoresheet in the Gold Medal game Guenther finished the tournament with four goals and three assists to go along with a +7 plus/minus in seven games.

Milic, the CSSHL U15 Prep Top Goaltender winner in the 2017/18 season, played in two games for Team Canada letting in 1 goal on 40 shots.

Scoring what would be the eventual Gold Medal game winner, Stankoven finished with four goals and four assists in seven games and led the entire tournament with a team best plus 14.

Overall, the five CSSHL skaters made-up the core of the eight leading scorers for Team Canada as they combined for 45 points.