Fairbanks – PD MelgozaThe assistant coach for the Alaska Nanooks hockey team has been named to join the coaching staff for the U.S. Under-18 boys' team for the 2024 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, which is scheduled to be held Aug. 5-10 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta.
Led by Augustana University coach Garrett Raboin, the United States is aiming to win its first gold medal at the tournament since 2003.
“It's a great honour to represent your country in any international competition and I'm happy to have the opportunity to do so in Edmonton,” Melgoza said of the honour. “I'm so grateful to the United States Hockey Association and GM Mark Boxer for nominating me for their staff. This will be an experience these kids will never forget and I can't wait to see them embrace it.”
Melgoza, along with other members of his staff, will select the best players to represent the U.S. National Team at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup Camp in St. Paul, Minnesota from July 26-30, where the original 36 players will compete for a spot on the national team. After team selection, the U.S. team will begin the tournament on Monday, August 5, with a preliminary round against the Czech Republic.
The Hinka Gretzky Cup will be played on a condensed schedule with each team playing one game per day over less than a week. The United States finished third in the 2023 tournament, marking their first medal since 2016.
Follow 'Nooks'
IG – @NanooksHockey
X – @NanooksHockey
FB – Alaska Nanooks Hockey
