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OHL Saginaw Spirit

Michael Misa, Zayne Parekh Named to Canada's 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup Roster

July 12, 2023 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Saginaw Spirit News Release


Calgary, Alta. - Among the 24-man roster released by Hockey Canada this afternoon, it was announced that Saginaw's Michael Misa and Zayne Parekh will compete on Canada's National Men's Summer Under-18 team. The 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup will be held from July 31st to August 5th in Trencin, Slovakia and Breclav, Czechia.

In his rookie season, Misa claimed the Emms Family Award as the OHL's Top First-Year Player. His 56 points (22G-34A) topped all rookies, and his 1.24 points per game was the best scoring pace of any Exceptional Status player in the OHL history.

Zayne Parekh spent his first OHL season making some history of his own. His 21 goals were the most by a U16 defenseman in OHL history, breaking a record set by London's Rick Corriveau in 1988. Parekh led rookie blueliners in goals and finished the season with 37 points (21G-16A).

Both Parekh and Misa were named to the OHL's First All-Rookie Team, as well as the CHL All-Rookie Team in 2023.

"We are excited to unveil this group of accomplished athletes that have earned the opportunity to represent Canada and defend our gold medal at this year's Hlinka Gretzky Cup," Alan Millar, director of player personnel said. "Earning a spot to represent your country is an exciting opportunity, and we know each athlete will embrace the opportunity to wear the Maple Leaf in Slovakia and Czechia later this month."

Prior to the start of the tournament, the team will practice at the Ice Palace in Budapest, Hungary from July 23-27, and will face off against Hungary's national under-20 team on July 27 at 12:30 p.m. ET/9:30 a.m. PT. It will also take on Czechia on July 29 at 12:30 p.m. ET/9:30 a.m. PT at Fosfa Arena in Breclav as a part of its pre-tournament schedule.

Canada will open the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup against Finland on July 31 at 9:30 a.m. ET/6:30 a.m. PT. It will also face co-host Slovakia and Switzerland in the preliminary round before the tournament concludes with the medal games on Aug. 5.

TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada, will broadcast all Team Canada games and select elimination and medal games; please check local listings for more details.

Canada has won 23 gold medals in 31 years of summer under-18 competition, along with three silver medals and one bronze.

For more information on Hockey Canada and Canada's National Men's Summer Under-18 Team, please visit HockeyCanada.ca, or follow along via social media on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from July 12, 2023


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