Simek named to Czechia's Hlinka roster

Saint John Sea Dogs draft pick Pavel Simek has been named to Czechia's roster for the upcoming Hlinka Gretzky Cup.

Czechia announced its roster for the under-18 tournament on Monday. Simek was one of 13 forwards named to the team.

👥 V tomto složení míří výběr #U18CZE do Kanady na Hlinka Gretzky Cup, který odstartuje prvním zápasem v neděli 🔜 #narodnitym #jakolev

👉🏻 https://t.co/J51oJSNNHI pic.twitter.com/NYDNn1PYl1

— Bronzový nároďák (@narodnitym) July 25, 2022

The tournament begins July 31 with Czechia taking on Finland. The event ends on Aug. 6. All games will be played in Red Deer.

The Sea Dogs selected Simek in the first-round, 48th overall in this year's CHL Import Draft. He spent last season with the Mountfield HK program in Czechia, recording 10 goals and 34 points in 44 games with the under-20 squad and nine goals and 20 points in 10 games with the under-17 team.

Simek, 17, is listed at 5'10" and 146 lbs.

Canada's roster for the event will feature four players from the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League: forwards Mathieu Cataford (Halifax Mooseheads) and Ethan Gauthier (Sherbrooke Phoenix) along with defenseman Dylan MacKinnon (Halifax Mooseheads) and Jordan Tourigny (Shawinigan Cataractes).

Sherbrooke's Stephane Julien will be Canada's head coach.