Scouting Report: Hlinka-Gretzky Cup Wrap-up With Commentary From Coaches, Players

BRECLAV, Czech Republic — The dust has settled on the Ivan Hlinka, and perhaps even the small Czech town it called home for one week in August — not a lot happens in Břeclav, outside hockey.

Russia, with their phenom netminder Yaroslav Askarov, bent but never broke en route toa 3-2 win over Team Canada in the Gold Medal Game last Saturday. Meanwhile, in Piešťany, Slovakia, the Swedes wrapped up their Hlinka-Gretzky Cup with a dominating 5-1 performance over their rivals across the Gulf of Bothnia on the strength of 16-year-old goaltender Jesper Wallstedt.

As the horde of scouts, players, and observers scattered from Ice Bors Arena in Břeclav with their notes, and memories fresh in mind, the final standings shook out accordingly:

1. Russia
2. Canada
3. Sweden
4. Finland
5. Czechia
6. USA
7. Slovakia
8. Switzerlan