Today, the 2023 IIHF World Championships begin the quarterfinals round of the tournament.
The United States completed group play with an undefeated record, 7-0-0. Canada ranks fourth in the tournament after group play with a 5-1-1 record.
Cutter Gauthier, Scott Laughton, and Ronnie Attard represent the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2023 IIHF World Championships. Laughton serves on the leadership group for Team Canada, as he did for the Flyers, stitching the ‘A’ to his sweater. Gauthier and Attard serve as a glimpse into the future of Philadelphia, contributing to a perfect tour leading to the official tournament bracket.
Cutter Gauthier
Second in goals scored, only trailing Dominik Kubalik, Gauthier is one of the highest-performing forwards in the IIHF World Championships. He is mixing in with top prospects and NHL skaters but rises to the top. It is encouraging to see if you’re part of the newly constructed front office in Philadelphia.
Gauthier flexed his muscle when the United States unleashed on France, 9-0. He scored a hat trick and an additional assist. A four-point performance meant Gauthier had a fingerprint on nearly half of the overall scoring. He scored on a breakaway from a stretch pass off the board, with a quick snapshot, and on a one-timer; a range of dangerous offense. The assist was as impressive; backchecking at the start of a defensive transition to force a takeaway and setting up TJ Tynan for a short breakaway goal.
At the end of group play, Gauthier scored eight points (6G, 2A) in seven games. He is third on Team USA in total scoring, trailing Kubalik and Rocco Grimaldi.
Scott Laughton
Laughton ranks within the top 25 playmakers in the 2023 IIHF World Championships. He has four assists, tied with players like Kubalik, Kevin Fiala, Nikolaj Ehlers, Jack Quinn, and others.
His smoothest game as a playmaker was against Czechia. Laughton had two assists. Setting up scoring plays by winning faceoffs or with his passing vision, he’s as consistent in the IIHF World Championships as he is in the NHL.
At the end of group play, Laughton scored five points (1G, 4A) in seven games, splitting the lead on Team Canada with teammates like Joe Veleno and Crouse Lawson.
Ronnie Attard
Attard served a role for the United States in four games, tied with Tyler Kleven for the fewest games played by all Team USA defensemen. The IIHF World Championship is the first time Attard represents the United States, never formerly appearing in an IIHF World Junior tournament.
On a delayed penalty, Team USA had the six-on-five advantage versus Germany. Attard ripped home a one-timer from above the left faceoff circle, scoring the first goal in a comeback win for the United States, 3-2. Attard had two powerplay goals with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms in 2022-2023, proving his impressive wrist shot can shift momentum.
His one goal in four games accounted for all of the offensive output by Attard, complemented by a +2 rating.
Up Next
The United States takes on Czechia, and Canada battles Finland in the quarterfinals of the IIHF World Championships today.
(AP Photo/Nick Wass)
