The 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship took place Dec. 26, 2024 - Jan. 5, 2025 in Ottawa, Ontario. Scroll for an inside look at Team USA's gold-medal journey from the start of camp in Plymouth, Mich., through the team's final moments at this year's world championship!

THE CELEBRATION

The on-ice celebration after Stiga’s goal included the medal ceremony; a center-ice team photo, followed by one in the corner in front of the U.S. family section; media interviews with NHL Network and TSN; the raising of the American flag with Team USA singing the Star Spangled Banner loudly and proudly; and of course the raising of the championship trophy by team captain and tournament MVP Ryan Leonard followed by individual players and staff. There were also various group photos taken before the celebration drifted to the lockerroom.

The players were waiting for head coach David Carle in the locker room, who joyously accepted the tub of water they dumped over his head. After a surprise visit from Brady Tkachuk, Shane Pinto, Jake Sanderson, Tyler Kleven, and Josh Norris, who zipped through the room and congratulated each player, coach Carle spoke to the team. Following that, the players gathered in a circle to sing “Oh Mamma” and then took a photo with Johnny Gaudreau's jersey, which hung in an empty stall throughout the tournament in Team USA’s locker room.

GOLD DIGGERS

Tom Koulentes, a lifelong educator and principal at Libertyville High School in Illinois and Stan Bowman, general manager of the Edmonton Oilers, helped the U.S. National Junior Team develop its team charter for the World Juniors for the second straight year. The process started during USA Hockey's National Junior Evaluation Camp this past summer, and finished with a 90-minute session at its camp in Plymouth, Mich., on Dec. 16. The team charter encompassed the guiding principles the players mutually agreed they would utilize throughout the tournament.

A FEW LAST TIDBITS

Cole Hutson led the World Juniors in points with 11, including three goals and eight assists … Hutson, Ryan Leonard, and Gabe Perreault were named to the Media All-Star Team … Ryan Leonard was named the tournament MVP and also earned the directorate award as the Best Forward in the World Juniors … Goaltender Trey Augustine finished his three World Junior tournament appearances with 12 wins, the most ever by an American netminder … The U.S. will host the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship in Saint Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Trey Augustine made 26 saves and became the all-time winningest American goaltender in World Juniors history to help the U.S. National Junior Team get past Czechia in what was a game much closer than the 4-1 final score indicated. The U.S. will play for gold Sunday night at 7:30 p.m. against Finland (live on NHL Network). To read the full recap, click here.

5 X TOP 2 …..FIVE CATEGORIES, TOP 2 IN EACH

We’ll do our part to help you get to know a little bit more about Team USA players during the tournament and each day will feature someone new. Today, we hear from Team USA forward Danny Nelson, who hails from Maple Grove, Minnesota, and plays for the University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish

The U.S. was back at the rink early this afternoon for a short skate ahead of tomorrow night’s semifinal tilt against Czechia. U.S. performance coach Brian Galivan targeted 25 minutes as the optimal time frame for Team USA’s skate today and coach David Carle and his staff built a practice plan with that in mind.

Several players talked to the assembled news media following practice and shared that they have embraced being public enemy number one here in Ottawa. And while the U.S. faces Czechia in the semifinals -- the team that eliminated Canada from the tournament yesterday – the players said they aren’t expecting Canadian fans will be suddenly cheering for them tomorrow night.

THINGS

Zeev Buium is tied for second in the U.S. record books with Luke Hughes (2022-23) and Erik Johnson (2006-07) for career goals by a defenseman in the World Juniors with five. The top spot is held by current Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell, who played in the first two World Juniors ever staged back in 1977 and 1978 … The U.S. has medaled in the last 10 World Juniors in which it has reached the semifinals of the tournament … The U.S. Under-18 Women’s National Team plays at 3 a.m. ET on Saturday (Jan. 4) against Japan in its first game of the IIHF U18 Women’s World Championship in Vantaa, Finland. All U.S. games are airing live on NHL Network … Gabe Perreault has 12 career assists in the World Juniors, which is tied for fifth in the U.S. record book with Jeremy Roenick, Phil Kessel and Kyle Palmieri. He needs two more assists to match Doug Weight’s total of 14 to tie for the fourth position … The U.S. has won three of its last four semifinal games in the World Juniors and is 8-10 all-time.

DID YOU KNOW

The impetus for starting the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship came from Murray Williamson, who played college hockey at the University of Minnesota and went on to coach numerous U.S. teams on the international stage, including both the 1968 and 1972 (silver) U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Teams. Click here to read the story written back in 2014 by The Hockey News.

5 X TOP 2 …..FIVE CATEGORIES, TOP 2 IN EACH

We’ll do our part to help you get to know a little bit more about Team USA players during the tournament and each day will feature someone new. Today, we hear from Team USA forward Oliver Moore, who hails from Mounds View, Minnesota, and plays for the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers

The U.S. used two goals each from captain Ryan Leonard and James Hagens, while Gabe Perreault added three assists to propel Team USA to a 7-2 victory over Switzerland here today in quarterfinal play at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship. The U.S. will play in Saturday’s semifinals at 7:30 p.m. ET against Czechia. For the full recap of today’s game, click here.

5 X TOP 2 …..FIVE CATEGORIES, TOP 2 IN EACH

We’ll do our part to help you get to know a little bit more about Team USA players during the tournament and each day will feature someone new. Today, we hear from Team USA defenseman Zeev Buium, who hails from San Diego, California, and plays for the University of Denver Pioneers.

WHAT THE WIN MEANS

The win against Canada last night was important for many reasons, most obvious for national pride. The victory also gave U.S. the top spot in Group A, meaning it will stay at Canadian Tire Centre for the quarterfinal round and not have to move across town to the TD Place. That may not seem like a big deal, but it certainly is to Team USA’s training staff, which would have had to pack up the entire U.S. operation late last night and then unpack and set up shop in a brand new venue. It’s a multiple-hour endeavor that all involved were happy to not have to undertake.

QUARTERFINALS BOUND

The U.S. has earned a spot in the quarterfinals of the World Juniors for the 13th straight year. Team USA is 14-9 all-time in the quarterfinal round of the tournament and is looking to advance to the semifinals for the eighth time in the last 10 years.

FEW LAST BITS

The U.S. had a 45-minute skate early this afternoon at the Canadian Tire Centre in preparation for tomorrow’s quarterfinal game against Switzerland … Team USA has not lost in regulation of the World Juniors since the semifinals of the 2023 tournament. That streak spans 12 total games … Trey Augustine has 10 career wins in the World Juniors, tied for the top spot among Americans with Jack Campbell (2010-12) … The U.S. enjoyed a meal out of the hotel at Joey’s in downtown Ottawa tonight, with steak or chicken parm the entrée choices … Defenseman Cole Hutson is tied for the tournament lead in points with eight (2G, 6A). Cole’s brother Lane was named the NHL Rookie of the Month for December today. Lane, also a defenseman, plays for the Montreal Canadiens and as an alternate captain helped the U.S. win gold in last year’s IIHF World Junior Championship.

5 X TOP 2 …..FIVE CATEGORIES, TOP 2 IN EACH

We’ll do our part to help you get to know a little bit more about Team USA players during the tournament and each day will feature someone new. Today, we hear from Team USA goaltender Hampton Slukynsky, who hails from Warroad, Minnesota, and plays for the Western Michigan University Broncos.

The U.S. rang in the new year in style with a 4-1 victory over Canada to win Group A. Trey Augustine made 38 saves in the win and the U.S. scored three times on the power play. Team USA will now face Switzerland in the quarterfinals on Thursday (Jan. 2) at 2:30 p.m. live on NHL Network. For the full recap, click here.

5 X TOP 2 …..FIVE CATEGORIES, TOP 2 IN EACH

We’ll do our part to help you get to know a little bit more about Team USA players during the tournament and each day will feature someone new. Today, we hear from Team USA forward Max Plante, who hails from Hermantown, Minnesota, and plays for the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs.

There’s been one game circled on the calendar by North American hockey fans since the tournament schedule for the 2025 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship was announced, and that is tomorrow night’s preliminary round match-up between the U.S. and Canada. Opening faceoff is set for 8 p.m. at the Canadian Tire Centre and the game will be aired live on NHL Network. The stakes are high – not only with national pride on the line -- but the winner of the game will earn the top spot in Group A and face the fourth-place finisher in Group B in the quarterfinals on Thursday (Jan. 2).

NEW YEAR’S EVE

The U.S. and Canada battle on New Year’s Eve for the first time in the World Juniors since the 2017 tournament. For a time, a meeting on New Year’s Eve between the U.S. and Canada was a fairly regular occurrence, including meetings in six out of nine World Juniors spanning the 2009-2017 events. All total, the teams have met 11 times on New Year’s Eve with Canada holding a 7-3-1 advantage. In the last meeting, which took place on Dec. 31, 2016, in Toronto at Air Canada Centre, the U.S. earned a 3-1 win. Jordan Greenway had a goal and two assists in the victory, while Joseph Woll, who now calls the Air Canada Centre home with the Toronto Maple Leafs, had 25 saves.

SPIKE BALL

Paul Fischer and Joey Willis engaged in a competitive and fun-filled game of Spike Ball in the hallway adjacent to Team USA’s locker room before practice today. Much to the chagrin of Willis, Fischer had the upper hand in the match. 

51 in 30 – A BRIEF OVERVIEW

If you’re not familiar with USA Hockey’s 51 in 30 initiative, read below from Steve Thompson, a manager of player development for USA Hockey who leads efforts specific to goaltending.

Could you tell those who might not know a little bit about the initiative 51 in 30?  

Thompson: What 51 in 30 means is that by the year 2030, we want to have 51 percent of the NHL minutes and Professional Women’s Hockey League minutes played by American goalies. Really what it boils down to is having the lion’s share of playing minutes in the world’s best leagues. What it means, more so, is being the world’s best. 

But we’re also looking at metrics at the grassroots level, how do we have more kids playing goalie by the year 2030? For the development stage, how do we have the most educated youth coaches that can support their goalies in practice? It’s a mark of being the best in the world at what we do and those are the measurements we’re trying to use to hold ourselves accountable and to challenge us. 

5 X TOP 2 …..FIVE CATEGORIES, TOP 2 IN EACH

We’ll do our part to help you get to know a little bit more about Team USA players during the tournament and each day will feature someone new. Today, we hear from Team USA forward Cole Eiserman, who hails from Newburyport, Massachusetts, and plays for the Boston University Terriers.

FAST FACT

The last 12 gold medals in the World Juniors have been won by either the U.S., Canada or Finland, all teams part of Group A for preliminary round play of this year’s World Juniors.

5 X TOP 2 …..FIVE CATEGORIES, TOP 2 IN EACH

We’ll do our part to help you get to know a little bit more about Team USA players during the tournament and each day will feature someone new. Today, we hear from Team USA defenseman Adam Kleber, who hails from Chaska, Minnesota, and plays for the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs.

GAME DAY – USA 5, Latvia 1              

The U.S. National Junior Team earned a hard-fought 5-1 victory over Latvia here this afternoon after the Latvians sent shockwaves through the hockey world with its 3-2 overtime victory over host Canada last night. Team USA got a pair of goals for Danny Nelson and 25 saves from Hampton Slukynsky, who earned his first career World Juniors victory. For the full recap, click here.

BACK-TO-BACK

Team USA will have less than 24 hours of rest before it hits the ice to play Finland tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. ET in its third preliminary round game. With a win, the U.S. will guarantee itself a spot in the tournament quarterfinals, which will be played on Jan. 2.

5 X TOP 2 …..FIVE CATEGORIES, TOP 2 IN EACH

We’ll do our part to help you get to know a little bit more about Team USA players during the tournament and each day will feature someone new. Today, we hear from Team USA forward Teddy Stiga, who hails from Sudbury,  Massachusetts, and plays for the Boston College Eagles.

A FEW LAST TIDBITS

The players attended an hour-long Integrity Workshop put on by the IIHF this afternoon after lunch … This year marks the 17th time the World Juniors are being staged in Canada where the U.S. has earned six medals, including three gold, one silver and two bronze. The U.S. is 63-6-2-32-2 (W-OTW-OTL-L-T) all-time in the World Juniors in Canada … The U.S. Under-18 Women’s National Team will play in the 2025 IIIHF Under-18 Women’s World Championship Jan. 4-12 in Vantaa, Finland. NHL Network will air all U.S. games live.

5 X TOP 2 …..FIVE CATEGORIES, TOP 2 IN EACH

We’ll do our part to help you get to know a little bit more about Team USA players during the tournament and each day will feature someone new. Today, we hear from Team USA forward Brodie Ziemer, who hails from Hutchinson, Minnesota, and plays for the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers.

5 X TOP 2 …..FIVE CATEGORIES, TOP 2 IN EACH

We’ll do our part to help you get to know a little bit more about Team USA players during the tournament and each day will feature someone new. Today, we hear from Team USA goaltender Sam Hillebrandt, who hails from Riverview, Florida, and plays for the Barrie Colts.

CHRISTMAS DAY – LIGHTS, CAMERA, ALMOST ACTION

Team USA arrived for its first practice at the Canadian Tire Centre at about 9:40 a.m. and there was a noticeable buzz with final preparations taking place for the official start of the 49th edition of the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship tomorrow. The U.S. settled into its digs – prepared masterfully by the U.S. training staff – for what all hope will be a run lasting through January 5, the day medal games are played.

It was picture day prior to practice, and players and staff taking took their official tournament headshots, while players also posed in front a green screen for various shots that will be used during the broadcast of games.

The team picture was also taken, with veteran Andre Ringuette, one of the two tournament photographers and also the official photographer of the NHL’s Ottawa Senators, effortlessly arranging the group. A number of smaller group photos were also taken, including one with the team’s captains.

HOLIDAY DINNER AND SECRET SANTA

Team USA had Christmas/Hanukkah dinner tonight at the team hotel and the players had a gift exchange following. This year, the first night of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah falls on the same day as Christmas for the first time since 2005. Christmas and Hanukkah always both fall on the 25th, but of two different months, with Christmas coming on the 25th of December on the Gregorian calendar, and Hanukkah starting on the 25th day of the month of Kislev in the Jewish calendar.

MEETINGS AND MORE MEETINGS

The evening before any IIHF world championship starts includes meetings with various groups to share final information in advance of the start of the tournament. There are separate sessions for video coaches, head coaches, medical staff, media managers and team managers and all were held at the tournament’s hotel headquarters in downtown Ottawa.

A FEW THINGS

At the end of practice, the players took part in a couple of shootouts. Cole Eiserman and Danny Nelson were the winners … Stan Wong is an athletic trainer for Team USA at the IIHF World Junior Championship for the 23rd straight year … The U.S. has a ping pong table in its team room and goaltending coach David Lassonde has been among those showing off and celebrating his skills.

5 X TOP 2 …..FIVE CATEGORIES, TOP 2 IN EACH

We’ll do our part to help you get to know a little bit more about Team USA players during the tournament and each day will feature someone new. Today, we hear from Team USA forward Trevor Connelly, who hails from Tustin, California, and plays college hockey at Providence College.

5 X TOP 2 …..FIVE CATEGORIES, TOP 2 IN EACH

We’ll do our part to help you get to know a little bit more about Team USA players during the tournament and each day will feature someone new. Today, we hear from Team USA forward James Hagens, who hails from Hauppauge, New  York, and plays college hockey at Boston College

The U.S. faced Finland here today before a capacity and energetic crowd at the Cornwall Civic Complex and earned a 5-2 victory in what was its last tune-up game ahead of the 2025 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship. For the full recap, click here. 

The doors to the venue opened two hours prior to faceoff, and with general admission seating for the game, there was quick maneuvering for center ice seats. The 4,400-plus fans in attendance were treated to an entertaining game, including a goal scored by local hero Carey Terrance from Team USA, who grew up some 10 minutes from the venue across the border in Akwesasne, N.Y.

ON TO OTTAWA

Following its game in Cornwall today, Team USA hit the road for its journey to Ottawa, where it will settle in for the next two weeks. With significant snow falling and less than optimal road conditions, it was slow going on the 103 kilometer trek (about 64 miles). The U.S. arrived just before 9 p.m. and got settled in for its first sleep in Canada’s capital city.

BRINGING JOY TO YOUNG FANS

Team USA players signed autographs and posed for pictures for young fans near its locker room after the game. Local hero Carey Terrance spoke to media and was, of course, a popular target of autograph seekers.

TO REMEMBER

The U.S. enters the World Juniors as defending champ, having bested host Sweden in last year’s gold-medal game … U.S. trainer Stan Wong will be passing out gifts to players in his annual appearance as “Stanta Claus” tomorrow night prior to the team’s Christmas dinner … NHL Network will air every U.S. game (and many others) of the World Juniors … U.S. assistant coach Brett Larson, who serves as head coach of the St. Cloud State University men’s ice hockey team, was an assistant coach for the 2022 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team.

5 X TOP 2 …..FIVE CATEGORIES, TOP 2 IN EACH

We’ll do our part to help you get to know a little bit more about Team USA players during the tournament and each day will feature someone new. Today, we hear from Team USA goaltender Trey Augustine, who hails from South Lyon, Michigan, and plays college hockey at Michigan State University.

5 X TOP 2 …..FIVE CATEGORIES, TOP 2 IN EACH

We’ll do our part to help you get to know a little bit more about Team USA players during the tournament and each day will feature someone new. Today, we hear from Team USA forward and captain Ryan Leonard, who hails from Amherst, Mass., and plays college hockey at Boston College

GAME DAY – USA 6, Slovakia 2

The U.S. faced Slovakia here tonight in Kingston at Slush Puppie Place and came away with a 6-2 victory. To read the recap, click here. 

Opened in 2008, the venue seats 5,614 for hockey. The first concert in the building was played by the Kingston band, The Tragically Hip. 

DID YOU KNOW

Cole Eiserman cuts Teddy Stiga’s hockey sticks for him … Oliver Moore knows Brodie Ziemer is a fan of David Pastrnak of the Boston Bruins and when he was out shopping yesterday in the city, he came across a pair of Pastrnak socks and purchased them for him … Danny Nelson and Colin Ralph are both from Maple Grove, Minn., and grew up playing together on and off as kids.

ON THE HORIZON

The U.S. will practice tomorrow morning at Slush Puppie Place before making the roughly two-hour trek to Cornwall, Ontario, where it will play Finland on Monday at 4 p.m. Team USA will head to Ottawa following the game for a couple of days of practice before the start of the World Juniors on Dec. 26.

5 X TOP 2 …..FIVE CATEGORIES, TOP 2 IN EACH

We’ll do our part to help you get to know a little bit more about Team USA players during the tournament and each day will feature someone new. Today, we hear from Team USA forward Gabe Perreault, who hails Hinsdale, Ill., and plays college hockey at Boston College.

Today marks day six since players and staff joined together in Plymouth, Mich., and USA Hockey Arena to begin the journey to Ottawa for the 2025 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship. And today was the first day on the ice with the group of 25 players who will represent the U.S. at the tournament. With yesterday’s cut-down from the 29 players who were part of the preliminary roster to the final group of 25 comes a variety of feelings, both from those remaining and those who ultimately didn't make it, but one thing is for sure – all those who were invited to the camp are terrific players in their own right and have an opportunity to excel at the highest levels of the game.

U.S. head coach David Carle, one of the most accomplished coaches in the game at any level, delivered the news of the team’s leadership group following a video session before breakfast this morning. Forward Ryan Leonard, from Boston College, will be the team’s captain and joins Marty Reasoner (1997) as the only two BC products to serve as captain of the U.S. National Junior Team. Team USA will utilize four alternate captains, including defenseman Zeev Buium from the University of Denver, along with forwards Oliver Moore from the University of Minnesota; Danny Nelson from the University of Notre Dame; and Gabe Perreault from Boston College. All five members of the leadership helped the U.S. to gold in last season’s World Junior Championship.

The U.S. had its final practice at the Invista Centre here in Kingston this morning, and the staff at the rink could not have been more welcoming to Team USA. The U.S. training staff was packing up the team’s operation following practice and late tonight will move operations to Slush Puppie Place across town where the team will have a pre-game skate tomorrow morning prior to its game there at 7 p.m. against Slovakia. The U.S. will also practice at Slush Puppie Place on Sunday morning before moving to Cornwall, Ont., for its final pre-tournament game on Monday against Finland.

RANDOM THOUGHTS

There’s been just one two-time captain of the U.S. National Junior Team – Kelly Miller in 1982 and 1983 … Of the six captains who have helped the U.S. earn gold in the World Juniors, three were forwards and there were defensemen … Taylor Swierc from USA Hockey is the magic behind USA Hockey’s social media presence for the U.S. National Junior Team … The Invista Center here in Kingston is the home of the “original Hockey Hall of Fame” … Team USA goaltending coach David Lassonde, who is USA Hockey’s national goaltending coach, is well known at the local convenience story near the team’s hotel for his twice daily trips to secure a pair of Diet Cokes … It doesn’t matter where Team USA goes, U.S. general manager John Vanbiesbrouck, one of the greatest American netminders of all-time, is recognized and asked for autographs … Joe Eppolito, one of USA Hockey’s most celebrated volunteers who has spent more than 30 years positively impacting children and families in the state of New York and beyond, is expected to be in Kingston tomorrow night for Team USA’s game against Slovakia.

5 X TOP 2 …..FIVE CATEGORIES, TOP 2 IN EACH

We’ll do our part to help you get to know a little bit more about Team USA players during the tournament and each day will feature someone new. Today, we hear from Team USA defenseman Cole Hutson, who hails North Barrington, Ill.,, and plays college hockey at Boston University.

AND THE ANSWER IS

Team USA’s goal song for the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship is Free Bird by Lynyrd Skynrd. Let's hope we hear that song a lot in Ottawa.

5 X TOP 2 …..FIVE CATEGORIES, TOP 2 IN EACH

We’ll do our part to help you get to know a little bit more about Team USA players during the tournament and each day will feature someone new. Today, we hear from Team USA forward Brandon Svoboda, who hails from Level Green, Pa., and plays college hockey at Boston University.

It’s day four for Team USA on its journey to Ottawa for the 2025 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship. It was an early wake-up call today with players and staff loading two charter buses full of food, snacks and luggage for the bus ride to Kingston, Ontario, at 7 a.m. The team arrived to the Invista Centre around 4 o’clock, traveling through some light snow for the final 90 minutes of the trip. Having opened in May 2008, the Invista Centre includes four NHL-sized ice rinks, a leisure skate room, a fitness center, dressing rooms and three multi-purpose rooms. It will be Team USA’s home for the next three days as it prepares to play Slovakia in a pre-tournament game in Kingston across town at Slush Puppie Place on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET. 

Cole Hutson was the first player to hit the ice for Team USA’s 55-minute skate which ended just short of 6 o’clock. The team arrived at its host hotel after a 20-minute bus ride and enjoyed dinner before mostly calling it a day. A few players were finishing up schoolwork, including James Hagens, who had a final paper to write for a course called Courage To Know. As part of the assignment, Hagens had to interview someone involved in a profession he believes he might pursue sometime during his post-collegiate days. Hagens chose U.S. head coach David Carle. 

WE THOUGHT YOU’D WANT TO KNOW

Team USA equipment managers Scott Aldrich and Nick Meldrum drove a 26-foot truck with the team’s equipment and medical supplies from Plymouth, Michigan, to Kingston, Ontario, yesterday after Team USA’s practice at USA Hockey Arena. They arrived here in Kingston last night at about 11 o’clock and unloaded most of the truck. The dynamic duo returned this morning to finish the task and set up shop in preparation for the player’s arrival late this afternoon … Each team in the World Juniors gets to choose a goal song that is played after each goal they score during the tournament. The U.S. has arrived at a verdict and the Team USA goal song could be revealed right here in tomorrow’s Insider, so stay tuned.

5 X TOP 2 …..FIVE CATEGORIES, TOP 2 IN EACH

We’ll do our part to help you get to know a little bit more about Team USA players during the tournament and each day will feature someone new. Today, we hear from Team USA defenseman Drew Fortescue, who hails from Pearl River, N.Y., and plays college hockey at Boston College.

While it’s been gloomy outside here in Plymouth, there’s a buzz in and around the players and staff inside at USA Hockey Arena as preparations for the 2025 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship continue.

The players had an up-tempo 80-minute practice that started at 11:30 a.m. Afterwards, they spent some time in the gym with strength and conditioning coach Brian Galivan, and a number of players, along with head coach David Carle and general manager John Vanbiesbrouck, also spoke to the assembled media.

Following practice, the U.S. training staff loaded up a truck with the team’s equipment and medical supplies for the trip to Kingston, Ontario, where Team USA will be stationed starting tomorrow and through Saturday. Equipment managers Scott Aldrich and Nick Meldrum departed at 3 p.m. to drive the truck to Kingston, and they’ll have the team operation set up and ready for the arrival of the players late tomorrow afternoon.

THEY SAID IT

“In a sea of yellow … red, white and blue came out.”

U.S. general manager John Vanbiesbrouck describing to NHL Network’s Jon Morosi Team USA’s win over host Sweden before a sellout crowd in Gothenburg, Sweden, in last year’s World Junior Championship gold-medal game.

A FEW LAST THINGS

Assistant coach Steve Miller is guiding Team USA’s penalty kill, while assistant coach Brett Larson is leading the U.S. power play efforts … Jon Morosi wrote a great piece yesterday on U.S. forward Chris Pelosi. You can find it here … Read the take of NHL.com’s Mike Morreale from day two of Team USA’s camp here … Defenseman Blake Fiddler is the youngest player here and the lone player with a 2007 birthdate. Born in Nashville, Fiddler grew up playing hockey in Frisco, Texas. His father, Vern, played 14 years in the NHL … Detroit Red Wings head coach Derek Lalonde had dinner with Team USA’s staff last night in Livonia. Lalonde has been part of the coaching staff of the last two U.S. Men’s National Teams.

Plymouth, Mich. – It’s that time of the year hockey fans …. time for another edition of the highly anticipated IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship.

The 2025 tournament will take place in Ottawa, Ontario, and runs from Dec. 26-Jan. 5. NHL Network will televise all U.S. games and many others.

The U.S. won last season’s World Junior Championship and the 2025 U.S. National Junior Team is looking to make history in helping our nation win back-to-back gold medals in the World Juniors for the first time ever!

And while we’re laser-focused on what’s ahead in Ottawa, the anticipation is also building for the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship, which the U.S. will host in Saint Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota. More on that later, but make plans now to be there! All session ticket packages go on sale in just a little more than a week on Dec. 26.

We look forward to bringing you daily behind-the-scenes content through the Team  USA Insider on the road to Ottawa. 

We hope you enjoy the journey with us and here’s to a great holiday season ahead and a 2025 filled with much happiness and good health.

OPENING PRACTICE

Team USA had its first practice in preparation for the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship here today at USA Hockey Arena. U.S. general manager John Vanbiesbrouck and Dave Peters, an amateur scout for the Columbus Blue Jackets who is part of the player evaluation group for Team USA, watched the 80-minute session from the second level of the pressbox, while a dozen media, a handful of scouts, and other local hockey enthusiasts looked on. After practice, the media spoke with 14 different players along with head coach David Carle.

FUN OUTSIDE THE RINK

After practice today, the players had some time for a little fun off the ice at Top Golf. The team had nine bays for 90 minutes and Angry Birds was a favorite game among the group, while chicken tenders and the age-old favorite of mac and cheese were the top food choices. While we can’t share definitive results, the leaderboard appeared to have James Hagens and Cole Hutson at the top.

TIDBITS

Sunday night at its team hotel, Team USA had a 90-minute session -- led by Tom Koulentes and Stan Bowman – to develop its Respect Charter, a document that it will use as a guiding principle on its 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship journey … Team USA will skate here tomorrow before departing for Kingston, Ontario, early Wednesday morning where it will set up shop for a few days of practice before facing Slovakia on Dec. 21 in its first of two pre-tournament games. The U.S. will then move to Cornwall, Ontario, where it will face Finland on Dec. 23 before moving to Ottawa. The U.S. opens play in the IIHF World Junior Championship on Dec. 26 against Germany … It was quite a weekend for U.S. teams on the international stage with four championships garnered, including for Team USA at the women’s Six Nations Tournament in Tampere, Finland; the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team at the Para Hockey Cup in Charlottetown, PEI; the U.S. Junior Select Team at the World Junior A Challenge in Camrose, Alberta, and the U.S. Under-17  Men’s National Team at the Vierumaki Cup in Finland.