Not one, but two Vancouver Giants players currently competing for Canada in the 2025 IIHF U18 World Championships in Texas found the scoreboard Thursday.
Forward Cameron Schmidt had a pair of goals and an assist, while defenceman Ryan Lin finished with one goal in a 9-2 win over Slovakia, the Canadian team's first game of the championships.
Schmidt, who had 40 goals for the Giants this past season, opened the scoring for Canada on a power play.
The Prince George, B.C. product then added a highlight reel goal to make it 6-0 late in the second period.
Lin made it 5-0 before the first period was done.
Put your hand up 馃檵鈥嶁檪锔� if you had Schmidty to score the first goal for @HockeyCanada at the #U18MensWorlds!
鈥� X - Vancouver Giants (@WHLGiants) April 24, 2025
Didn't even need a period!
Canada leads Slovakia 1-0 late in the 1st. pic.twitter.com/qtJ0Eg8Z6G
The Western Hockey League was extremely well-represented in Canada's tournament opener, providing seven of the nine goals. In addition to Schmidt's and Lin's goals, Braeden Cootes (Seattle) had two tallies, while Jackson Smith (Tri-City) and Matthew Gard (Red Deer) also scored.
Giants prospect Tobis Tom铆k represented Slovakia on Thursday as well, but did not register a point. Slovakia beat Finland 1-0 in a shootout in their tournament opener and still has to play Norway in the round robin.
Canada had a round-robin game against Latvia set for 5 p.m. today, and will face off against Finland on Sunday, April 27, at 2 p.m. (PT). Canada will also take on Norway on Monday, April 28, at 2 p.m.
