Toronto, Ont. – Two Ontario Hockey League standouts will wear letters for Canada at the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, as Sarnia Sting forward Alessandro Di Iorio and Kitchener Rangers forward Adam Valentini have been named assistant captains.
Both players are among 11 OHL representatives on Canada’s 25-player roster for the annual under-18 tournament, set for Aug. 11-16 in Brno, Czechia and Trencin, Slovakia. Canada will look to capture its fourth straight gold medal at the event, having won in 2022, 2023 and 2024.
Di Iorio, selected second overall by the Sting in the 2024 OHL Priority Selection, made an immediate impact as a rookie in Sarnia last season. Known for his hockey sense and responsible two-way game, the Vaughan Kings graduate was a key contributor in all situations and won gold with Canada at the 2025 IIHF U18 World Championship.
“It’s always an honour to throw the leaf on your chest,” Di Iorio said. “It’s one of the only best-on-best tournament’s and I’m just really eager to get going.”
Valentini, Brampton’s first-round pick in 2024 before his rights were acquired by Kitchener, joins the Rangers after a strong rookie season in the USHL with the Chicago Steel. The Toronto native also won gold with Canada White at the 2024 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge, producing nine points in five games.
“It’s such a huge honour to represent my country,” Valentini added. “It’s something I’ve dreamed about doing since I was a little kid and to have the opportunity to do it again is just something so special.”
In their pre-tournament game against Hungary, Canada recorded a 7-1 victory, with Di Iorio collecting a pair of assists and Valentini adding a goal and an assist.
The defending champions have been drawn into Group A and will begin tournament play against Finland on Aug. 11 before meeting Switzerland on Aug. 12 and host Czechia on Aug. 13. The medal games are set for Aug. 16 at 11am ET/ 8am PT.
TSN and RDS, the official broadcast partners of Hockey Canada, will broadcast select tournament games, including all Canada games.
For a full tournament schedule, click here.
