Canada wins gold at 2008 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka

PIESTANY, Slovakia – Canada's National Men's Summer Under-18 Team has won the gold medal at the 2008 Memorial of Ivan Hlinka, following a 6-3 win over Russia on Saturday.

It marks the fourth time in the past five years that Canada has won the Memorial of Ivan Hlinka tournament, formerly known as the Junior World Cup.

On Saturday, Ryan Ellis (Hamilton, ON/Windsor, OHL), Simon Després (Laval, QC/Saint John, QMJHL) and Taylor Hall (Kingston, ON/Windsor, OHL) scored first-period goals as Canada took a 3-1 lead after 20 minutes on its way to the win. Carter Ashton (Saskatoon, SK/Lethbridge, WHL), Brayden Schenn (Saskatoon, SK/Brandon, WHL) and Ryan O'Reilly (Seaforth, ON/Erie, OHL) also scored for Canada, while Nathan Lieuwen (Abbotsford, BC/Westside, BCHL) made 10 saves.

"Our team improved throughout the event," says Bill Peters, Canada's head coach. "I'm proud of each one of our 22 players, all of whom contributed to this victory."

Nathan Lieuwen G, L, 6'5" 180 08/08/91 Abbotsford, BC Westside (BCHL) 2009 Dft/Rep.

Bryce O'Hagan G, L, 6'2" 193 12/27/91 Burlington, ON Sault Ste. Marie (OHL) 2010 Dft/Rep.

Jared Cowen D, L, 6'5¼" 218 01/25/91 Allan, SK Spokane (WHL) 2009 Dft/Rep.

Simon Despres D, L, 6'3½" 210 07/27/91 Laval, QC Saint John (QMJHL) 2009 Dft/Rep.

Taylor Doherty D, L, 6'6" 220 03/02/91 Cambridge, ON Kingston (OHL) 2009 Dft/Rep.

Stefan Elliott D, R, 6'0¾" 186 01/30/91 North Vancouver, BC Saskatoon (WHL) 2009 Dft/Rep.

Ryan Ellis D, R, 5'9½" 176 01/03/91 Hamilton, ON Windsor (OHL) 2009 Dft/Rep.

Hubert Labrie D, L, 5'11" 179 07/12/91 Victoriaville, QC Gatineau (QMJHL) 2009 Dft/Rep.

Brayden McNabb D, L, 6'3½" 195 01/21/91 Davidson, SK Kootenay (WHL) 2009 Dft/Rep.

Carter Ashton F, L, 6'3" 206 04/01/91 Saskatoon, SK Lethbridge (WHL) 2009 Dft/Rep.

Jimmy Bubnick F, R, 6'2" 189 01/19/91 Saskatoon, SK Kamloops (WHL) 2009 Dft/Rep.

Casey Cizikas F, L, 5'10¼" 191 02/27/91 Mississauga, ON Mississauga (OHL) 2009 Dft/Rep.

Matt Duchene F, L, 5'11" 201 01/16/91 Haliburton, ON Brampton (OHL) 2009 Dft/Rep.

Cody Eakin F, L, 5'11½" 176 05/24/91 Winnipeg, MB Swift Current (WHL) 2009 Dft/Rep.

Scott Glennie F, R, 6'1" 179 02/22/91 Winnipeg, MB Brandon (WHL) 2009 Dft/Rep.

Taylor Hall F, L, 6'0¼" 181 11/14/91 Kingston, ON Windsor (OHL) 2010 Dft/Rep.

Evander Kane F, L, 6'1" 180 08/02/91 Vancouver, BC Vancouver (WHL) 2009 Dft/Rep.

Zack Kassian F, R, 6'2½" 208 01/24/91 LaSalle, ON Peterborough (OHL) 2009 Dft/Rep.

Louis Leblanc F, R, 6'0" 171 01/26/91 Kirkland, QC Lac St-Louis (QC MAAA) 2009 Dft/Rep.

Garrett Mitchell F, R, 5'10½" 181 09/02/91 Regina, SK Regina (WHL) 2009 Dft/Rep.

Ryan O'Reilly F, L, 6'0½" 201 02/07/91 Seaforth, ON Erie (OHL) 2009 Dft/Rep.

Brayden Schenn F, L, 6'0" 199 08/22/91 Saskatoon, SK Brandon (WHL) 2009 Dft/Rep.