Prince Albert Raiders prospect Daxon Rudolph skates with the puck during a game against Korea at the Winter Youth Olympic Games in Gangwon, South Korea on Jan. 27, 2024. (THE ASSOCIATED PRESS/Chloe Knott)

By Logan Lehmann

Starting off strong

Raiders prospect Rudolph captains Canada to victory during tournament opener at Winter Youth Olympics

Jan 27, 2024 | 2:07 PM

Prince Albert Raiders prospect Daxon Rudolph captained Team Canada to their first victory at the 2024 Winter Youth Olympic Games in Gangwon, South Korea on Saturday.

The Canadians downed the host Korea in a lopsided 8-0 victory with Canada registering 45 shots in the game, which is a record for most shots in a game for Canada in Winter Youth Olympic Games history.

Rudolph was named captain of Team Canada prior to the contest and spoke to the media postgame about donning the ‘C’ and building chemistry as a group.

“It is every Canadian kid’s dream to wear the Maple Leaf on the front of your chest, so I am super honoured and even more honoured to be named captain,” he said. “There has been lots of great players who have been named captain in the past. It was a good game from our team, we controlled most of the game and played mostly in their end, which is the best defence. We need to keep getting closer as a team off the ice—that will lead to more chemistry on the ice.”

Although the Raiders’ first overall pick in the 2023 WHL Bantam Draft didn’t find the scoresheet, Canada faired just fine.

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Liam Ruck paved the way with a hat-trick while Mathis Preston, Alessandro Di Iorio, and Aiden O’Donnell each netted a goal and an assist. Markus Ruck led the assist department with three, and Tynan Lawrence and Adam Valentini rounded out the scoring for Canada.

Carter Esler and Colin Ellsworth made three saves apiece to collect the win and the combined shutout.

“We did some really good things offensively, controlled the play well and created some opportunities. Overall, it is a good win and a good start to the tournament,” said head coach Ryan Smith. “I think we were a little nervous to start, a lot of our players have never played in front of a crowd like that. Our guys got into it as the game went on, but it is a hard thing to get used to playing in front of a lot of people. There are some things we want to continue doing from today, but we will need to tighten up our team discipline, get some time to practice on our off day tomorrow and prepare for Finland. We will be ready to go.”

Canada will now have Sunday off before returning to action on Monday when they faceoff with Finland for a 5:00 a.m. Sask. time puck drop.

– with files from Hockey Canada and Winter Youth Olympic Games.

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loganc.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com