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!
Teddy Stiga scored 8:04 into three-on-three overtime to lift the U.S. to a dramatic 4-3 win over Finland here tonight in the gold-medal game of the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship. It was Stiga’s first goal of the tournament. The victory gave the U.S. back-to-back gold medals for the first time in the nation’s history. Read the full recap here.
THE Golden Goal #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/Ww9Rsxilof
— USA Hockey (@usahockey) January 6, 2025
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.
The moment history was made #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/aPEVwQN1t0
— USA Hockey (@usahockey) January 6, 2025
Never gets old #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/HtldQXAxbE
— USA Hockey (@usahockey) January 6, 2025
Your 2025 IIHF World Junior CHAMPIONS pic.twitter.com/AFC87gBZnc
— USA Hockey (@usahockey) January 6, 2025
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.
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.
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
Top 2 Rinks I’ve Played In
Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn.
Memorial Arena in Roseau, Minn.
Top 2 Cities I’ve Visited
Chicago
South Bend, Ind.
Top 2 Pregame Rituals
Sewer Ball
Stretching
Top 2 Favorite Hockey Players
Auston Matthews
Zach Parise
Top 2 Snacks
Chex Mix
Fruit Strips
Bonus Category
Top 2 Numbers
11 – Wore growing up; inspired by Zach Parise
22 – My go to if 11 was taken
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.
U.S. forward Austin Burnevik celebrated his 20th birthday here today in Ottawa. Burnevik, who is from Blaine, Minnesota, and plays for St. Cloud State University, was the recipient of a robust singing of happy birthday tonight by players and staff at the team dinner. The group was also treated during dinner to a karaoke performance from forward Max Plante, who sang All of Me by John Legend.
U.S. captain Ryan Leonard, who played with Johnny Gaudreau on the U.S. Men’s National Team in the 2024 IIHF Men’s World Championship in Ostrava and Prague, Czechia, shared his thoughts on Johnny Hockey following practice today. Gaudreau and his brother Matthew were tragically killed while riding bicycles in late August. Leonard plays at Boston College, where Gaudreau starred for three seasons (2011-14) and won the 2014 Hobey Baker Memorial Award as the top player in NCAA Division I men’s college hockey.
Johnny and Matthew will always be with us. pic.twitter.com/Pel6K9swqI
— USA Hockey (@usahockey) January 4, 2025
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.
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.
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
Top 2 Rinks I’ve Played In
3M Arena at Mariucci (Minneapolis)
Scandinavium (Gothenburg, Sweden)
Top 2 Sports Other Than Hockey
Soccer
Basketball
Top 2 Things I’m Thankful For
Family
Health
Top 2 Pregame Rituals
Tape stick the same way (heel to toe)
Put the right on before the left (everything)
Top 2 Favorite Professional Athletes
Connor McDavid
Patrick Kane
Bonus Category
Top 2 Numbers
11 – Always wore growing up; watched Casey Mittelstadt and Zach Parise growing up
17 – My dad’s number
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.
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.
Top 2 Amusement Park Rides
Tower of Terror
Slingshot
Top 2 Sayings
Game’s not over until it’s over
There’s always someone better than you
Top 2 Hockey Terms
Mupp
Beauty
Top 2 Snacks
Milk duds
Skittles
Top 2 Pastimes
Cards
I love movies
Bonus Categories
Top 2 Numbers
28 – Wore it my entire life
8 – Back-up number
Top 2 Ice Cream Toppings
Gummy bears
Caramel
As you might imagine, the mood was festive within Team USA following its New Year’s Eve win in a hostile environment here last night against Canada. The bus departed Canadian Tire Centre just after 11:30 p.m. following Team USA’s 4-1 win and arrived at the team’s downtown hotel headquarters 25 minutes later. As the elevators opened to its team room on the 24th floor of the hotel, the players and staff counted down the final seconds heading into 2025 and wished each other the best for the start of the new year. Fireworks could been seen outside the panoramic windows that look out into the Ottawa skyline from Team USA’s room. The group enjoyed a late post-game meal, and then many of the players went to share a short greeting with family members who are in town for the tournament.
A great New Year's Eve, but the job's not done. #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/Soe1jTezyV
— USA Hockey (@usahockey) January 1, 2025
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.
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.
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.
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.
Top 2 Cities I’ve Visited
Calgary, Alberta
Basel, Switzerland
Top 2 Sports Other Than Hockey
Golf
Baseball
Top 2 Songs
Not Afraid, Eminem
Till I Collapse, Eminem
Top 2 Favorite Foods
Chicken
Cheeseburgers
Top 2 Amusement Park Rides
Roller coaster
Water ride
BIG TIME BONUS CATEGORIES
Top 2 Hockey Terms
Snipe
Sauce
Top 2 Video Games
NHL ‘24
NHL ‘23
Top 2 Professional Athletes
Scottie Scheffler
Brock Nelson
Top 2 Ice Cream Toppings
Oreo
Chocolate Syrup
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.
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.
Top 2 Rinks I’ve Played In
Xcel Energy Center
My home barn, Hermantown; ice is best
Top 2 Cities I’ve Visited
Rome, Italy
Kenai, Alaska
Top 2 Sports Other Than Hockey
Tennis (played in high school)
Tie -- Baseball/Basketball
Top 2 Amusement Park Rides
Wild Thing (Valleyfair)
Ghost Blasters (Mall of America)
Top 2 Favorite Professional Athletes
Kirk Cousins
Lamar Jackson
BONUS CATEGORY
Top 2 Songs Ever
Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue, Toby Keith
Where The Wild Things Are, Luke Combs
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).
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.
While most of the players were away from the rink today, a handful did skate this morning at the Canadian Tire Centre, including Joey Willis, Teddy Stiga, Max Plante, Aram Minnetian, Adam Kleber and Paul Fischer, along with goaltenders Trey Augustine, Hampton Slukynsky and Sam Hillebrandt. Coaches Brett Larson, Garrett Raboin and David Lassonde led the 45-minute practice. After the on-ice session, Lassonde, who is USA Hockey’s national goaltending coach, and Augustine, spoke to Mike Morreale from NHL.com on USA Hockey’s 51 in 30 goaltending initiative.
The players who did not skate this morning went to an early afternoon off-ice training session with performance coach Brian Galivan at Titan Performance Centre, which is part of the Richcraft Sensplex. The facility includes four ice sheets and the players enjoyed watching a youth game that was part of the 24th annual Bell Capital Cup prior to their workout.
The team had lunch at 1:45 p.m., followed by a video session led by head coach David Carle. After, a handful of players did a few on-camera interviews. For dinner tonight, it was a special treat for Team USA with Italian cuisine at a restaurant in downtown Ottawa.
Stumbled across a youth hockey tournament during lift today. Safe to say the guys got really into it #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/RUwA8FkQB7
— USA Hockey (@usahockey) December 30, 2024
Work today to play tomorrow. #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/FAVkGV44um
— USA Hockey (@usahockey) December 30, 2024
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.
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.
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.
Top 2 Pizza Toppings
Mushrooms
Sausage
Top 2 Songs Ever
Beautiful Crazy by Luke Combs
Daylight by Maroon Five
Top 2 Hockey Terms
Bunk
Dust
Top 2 Pregame Rituals
Shower before the game with tunes
Taping my stick, toe to heel
Top 2 Pastimes
Cards
Throwing the football around
In a back-and-forth affair that included three lead changes, Finland scored at 1:46 of the three-on-three overtime to send the U.S. to its first defeat of the World Juniors and end a 10-game U.S. winning streak in the event overall, spanning three tournaments. For the full recap, click here.
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.
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.
Top 2 Cities I’ve Visited
Las Vegas
Scottsdale
Top 2 Sports Other Than Hockey
Pickleball
Soccer
Top 2 Favorite Foods
Sushi
Steak
Top 2 Favorite Professional Athletes
Michael Jordan
Nikita Kucherov
Top 2 Snacks
Mango strips
Cheez-its
DOUBLE BONUS
Top 2 Hockey Terms
Buzzin’
Beauty
Top 2 Numbers
8 – Grew up being 8
42 – Just like it .. it’s 24 backwards and 24 is the day of my birthday
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.
Brodie Ziemer, who plays at the University of Minnesota and hails from Hutchinson, Minn., scored Team USA’s eighth goal in its 10-4 win over Germany on Thursday (Dec. 26) to open play in the World Juniors. His reward for scoring? …. a stick in the face from teammate Max Plante. While Plante, who plays at the University of Minnesota Duluth, and Ziemer are in-state college rivals, in this case, the stick to the face was no doubt inadvertent.
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.
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.
Top 2 Sports Other Than Hockey
Lacrosse
Golf
Top 2 Things I’m Thankful For
My family
Hockey
Top 2 Pizza Toppings
Pineapple
Pepperoni
Top 2 Sports Teams
Boston Bruins
New England Patriots
Top 2 Numbers
8 – Random, just picked and I liked
4 – Closest number to eight I could get, just divided 8 by two
BONUS CATEGORY
Top 2 Songs Ever
I’ll just the say the entire new Sam Barber album
The U.S. was back at it today with a 12 noon practice at Canadian Tire Centre that included work on special teams during the 50-minute session. Team USA is getting set to face Latvia in its second of four preliminary round games tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. ET (live on NHL Network). The rink attendants had a unique puck formation built on the ledge of the team bench as the players hit the ice today
U.S. goaltending coach David Lassonde, who serves as USA Hockey’s national goaltending coach, is not only one of our nation’s foremost experts on goaltending development but also enjoys what might be considered a unique food combination. At breakfast this morning that was on full display as Lassonde had a significant pile of crispy bacon, which he proceeded to spread peanut butter over before consuming. Lassonde shared that he enjoyed peanut butter and bacon sandwiches as a kid, but that the hot bacon could cause havoc as it melted the peanut butter and could make for a messy challenge when consuming.
Team USA enjoyed dinner out of the hotel tonight. A handful of youth players from New York in town to compete in the Bell Capital Cup were at the same restaurant and stopped by to wish the team luck and give a robust U-S-A chant, which the players joined in. They will be attending tomorrow’s USA-Latvia game. Also during dinner, all enjoyed forward Cole Eiserman performing When I Was Your Man by Bruno Mars.
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.
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.
Top 2 Songs
War Zone by Bailey Zimmerman
Hurricane by Luke Combs
Top 2 Rinks I’ve Played In
Mariucci Arena
Ralph Engelstad Arena
Top 2 Favorite Professional Athletes
Michael Jordan
Alex Ovechkin
Top 2 Pastimes
Big Xbox guy lately
Watching TV
Top 2 Ice Cream Toppings
Snickers
Reese’s Cups
BONUS CATEGORY
Top 2 Sayings
You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you
The only easy day was yesterday
It’s here! The 49th edition of the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship has started and Team USA earned a 10-4 victory over Germany here this afternoon in its opening game of the tournament. It’s the first of four preliminary-round games in the tournament for the U.S. before the playoff round. Who had all the points? For the full recap, click here.
American hockey star Brady Tkachuk, who is the captain of the NHL’s Ottawa Senators, was in the house at today’s game vs. Germany and not only made a special appearance on the NHL Network broadcast, but also came down to the team’s locker room after the game to wish the team good luck in the tournament. Tkachuk played in the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship in Buffalo and will be a member of the U.S. Men’s National Team for the upcoming Four Nations Face-Off in February.
We had a special guest in the locker room tonight after the team's opening win... I believe people call him Tkaptain?
— USA Hockey (@usahockey) December 27, 2024
Thanks for coming out to talk to the boys, Brady! #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/Yu89Cnkvfi
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.
Top 2 Snacks
Goldfish
Swedish Fish
Top 2 Rinks Cities
Gothenburg, Sweden
New York City
Top 2 Amusement Park Rides
Big Thunder Mountain
Splash Mountain
Top 2 Pizza Toppings
Pineapple
Pepperoni
Top 2 Sayings
Please
Thank You
BONUS CATEGORY
Top 2 Hockey Terms
Piegon
Pucks In Deep
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.
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.
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.
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.
We’re here in Ottawa and the captain of the NHL’s Ottawa Senators is American Brady Tkachuk. He was part of a big World Juniors moment in Buffalo, New York, in 2018, helping the U.S. to a come-from-behind victory over Canada in the first and only outdoor game in WJC history. Enjoy it here.
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.
Top 2 Favorite Foods
Steak
Enchiladas
Top 2 Favorite Musical Artists
Nickelback
Calvin Harris
Top 2 Hockey Terms
That was sick
Buddy
Top 2 Pregame Rituals
Always play sewer
Always tape my stick in my stall; I change up how I tape it though
Top 2 Favorite Professional Athletes
Roger Federer
Kyle Connor
BONUS CATEGORIES
Top 2 Pastimes
Go to the beach
Hanging out with my little brother, CJ (Charles John)
Top 2 Snacks
Salt and vinegar chips
Chocolate covered strawberries
The players had the day off largely today, outside of a handful of individual video sessions at the team’s hotel. The training staff, however, was back at the Canadian Tire Centre preparing for the tournament. Equipment managers Scott Aldrich and Nick Meldrum drove the 26-foot truck from Cornwall to the CTC last night following the game and made the 60-mile journey safely despite significant snow falling. The trainers got back to the hotel at 2 a.m. this morning and went back to the rink mid-morning today.
The players were out shopping in preparation for their team gift exchange throughout the day. A number of players and staff went to Christmas Eve Mass at St. Patrick’s Basilica at 4:30 p.m. After the team dinner at 6:30 p.m., the annual ritual of U.S. trainer Stan Wong handing out USA Hockey gifts as “Stanta Claus” took place in the team’s gathering space at the hotel. The presents “Stanta” dispersed to the players were wrapped in custom wrapping paper featuring “Stanta” and his favorite elf, equipment manager Scott Aldrich.
HE’S BACKKK!
— USA Hockey (@usahockey) December 25, 2024
Team USA’s athletic trainer, Stan Wong, also known as “Stanta Claus,” made another appearance after dinner tonight to spread some holiday cheer. #WorldJuniors pic.twitter.com/0yPXQZFOgy
Danny Nelson said today this is his first-ever trip to Canada, outside of passing through on a bus while he was at the USA Hockey National Team Development Program. He thinks he may be the only player on the team who hasn’t visited or played hockey in the country … Trevor Connelly was a fan of the Boston Bruins growing up and wore Bobby Orr’s #4 as a young kid starting out in hockey. When he got to his first organized team as an eight-year-old, someone was already wearing four, so he just went with two fours on his jersey and wore 44. He changed to number 16 a couple of years ago in honor of his dad, who was diagnosed with blood cancer … James Hagens and Teddy Stiga are roommates at Boston College. Both share that Sunday is their clean-up day … U.S. Hockey Hall of Famer Tony Granato, who played on 1983 and 1984 U.S. National Junior Teams and represented the U.S. on the international stage in five other events, including the 1988 Olympic Winter Games, stopped by to say hello following Team USA’s dinner tonight. Granato is providing color commentary on NHL Network’s broadcasts of all U.S. games in the World Juniors, working alongside E.J. Hradek, who is doing the play-by-play.
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
Top 2 Favorite Professional Athletes
Patrick Kane
Tom Brady
Top 2 Pizza Toppings
Pepperoni
Chicken
Top 2 Cities I’ve Visited
Boston
Chicago
Top 2 Rinks I’ve Played In
Madison Square Garden
Conte Forum
Top 2 Songs Ever
Man You Raised, Sam Barber
May We All, Florida Georgia Line
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Top 2 Artists Ever
Cold Play
Justin Timberlake
Top 2 Rinks I’ve Played In
Munn Ice Arena
Little Caesars
Top 2 Hockey Terms
Grocery stick
Bender
Top 2 Pregame Rituals
Eating a banana in the stands
Huddle before the game with the guys
Top 2 Numbers
34 -- My goalie coach, Manny Legace, wore that number
1 -- For my grandpa because he’s the first James Augustine
Team USA woke up to below-zero (Fahrenheit) temperatures here in Kingston, Ontario. But while cold outside, the mood was warm inside after last night’s 6-2 win over Slovakia. The players enjoyed breakfast at 9:30 a.m. before checking out of the hotel and hopping on the bus for the five-minute ride to Slush Puppie Place for practice.
Along with its usual off-ice warm-up, the players had a video session with head coach David Carle before hitting the ice. Video meetings conducted by the U.S. coaching staff rarely eclipse 10 minutes. After a short practice and then a cool down session, Team USA’s operation was fully packed up, and its two buses and 26-foot truck hit the road at 1:30 p.m. for the nearly two-hour journey to Cornwall. Players and staff enjoyed a boxed lunch on the way, which included two sandwiches, chips, celery, carrots, hummus, an orange and a small cookie.
After arriving at its new hotel headquarters about 3:30 p.m., the group settled in before dinner at 6 o’clock. The U.S. has a 4 o’clock game here tomorrow against Finland and will spend tonight and tomorrow morning getting ready.
Practice today
— USA Hockey (@usahockey) December 22, 2024
Last #WorldJuniors pre-tournament game pic.twitter.com/xoadNESSvf
Cornwall is about 10 minutes from Akwesasne, New York, where Team USA forward Carey Terrance grew up. As a kid, Terrance regularly was in Cornwall for hockey games or practices. He said today after the team’s skate that he expects there will be upward of 500 people he will know at tomorrow’s pre-tournament game against Finland at the Cornwall Civic Complex. And with Ottawa not far away either, there will be plenty of family and friends cheering on him and Team USA.
Ryan Leonard and Oliver Moore teamed up for a dynamic shorthanded goal against Finland during a Five Nations Tournament on Nov. 9, 2022, at USA Hockey Arena that was featured that night on ESPN. It’s a fun look back. Click here to enjoy.
USA Hockey president Mike Trimboli, who lives in Massena, New York, will make the short 10-minute drive from his home, tomorrow to take in Team USA’s game against Finland. And Trimboli will not be alone. He has served as head coach of the Massena High School boys hockey team since 2009-10 and is bringing his team with him to the contest. Trimboli was unanimously re-elected to a second-year term as president of USA Hockey this past June after first being tabbed for the role in June of 2021.
The last five off the ice for practice today were Colin Ralph, Austin Burnevik, Cole Eiserman, Max Plante and Oliver Moore. Here’s how they ended the ice session.
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
Top 2 Rinks I’ve Played In
Conte Forum
Mullin Center, my hometown
Top 2 Sports Other Than Hockey
Golf
Baseball
Top 2 Water Park Rides
Slide
Infiniti Pool
Top 2 Hockey Terms
Beauty
Dust
Top 2 Pregame Rituals
Like to go out right when I get there, look at the ice and calm myself down
Sewer ball
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.
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.
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.
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.
Top 2 Rinks I’ve Played In
Scandinavium (Gothenburg, Sweden)
Munn Ice Arena
Top 2 Favorite Foods
Steak
Pizza
Top 2 Cities I’ve Visited
Gothenburg, Sweden
Basel, Switzerland
Top 2 Ice Cream Toppings
Oreo chunks
Sprinkles
Top 2 Colors
Red
Blue
BONUS CATEGORIES
Top 2 Sports Other Than Hockey
Lacrosse
Football
Top 2 Snacks
Skittles
Milky Way
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.
It’s Notre Dame hosting Indiana in the college football playoff tonight, and with a vested interest are Jessica Thibault, the director of operations for the University of Notre Dame men’s ice hockey team, along with Fighting Irish players Danny Nelson and Paul Fischer. Thibault is handling team operations for the U.S. National Junior Team for the third straight year and is a key cog that keeps the team churning. Her job never ends; she rarely sleeps; and her always friendly and upbeat demeanor is infectious and a key reason for the success the team enjoys.
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.
Uttered by U.S. forward Teddy Stiga after practice today as he was breezing down the hallway outside Team USA’s locker room…“Brodie (Ziemer) and I are full of tomfoolery and skullduggery.”
USA Hockey announced a new multi-year partnership with CCM Hockey today and celebrated its new relationship with one of the most significant manufacturers of hockey equipment.
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.
Top 2 Hockey Terms
Mupp
Legend
Top 2 Pregame Rituals
Put all of my gear on, left to right
Don’t let my blade touch the floor after it is taped
Top 2 Pastimes
Cards
Video Games
Top 2 Cities I’ve Visited
Basel, Switzerland
Dubin, Ireland
Top 2 Numbers
23 – Worn it the past two years
22 – Number I wore growing up
HAT TRICK -- BONUS CATEGORIES
Top 2 Things I’m Thankful For
My family
My teammates
Top 2 Songs Ever
Ghost Town by Sam Barber
Indigo by Sam Barber
Top 2 Favorite Foods
Steak
Calamari
The sun was shining today here in Kingston as Team USA hit the ice for the second day as it prepares for the 2025 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship. After breakfast at the team hotel, the U.S. penalty-killing group had a short video session before the whole team departed for the rink at 9:15 a.m. After some gym time, a group with goalies and shooters hit the ice at 11 a.m., before the full team practice commenced at 11:20 a.m. The upbeat session finished after 80 minutes. After lunch back at the team’s waterfront hotel, the players had a relaxing afternoon. The final 25-player roster was revealed to the group at a team meeting at 6 p.m., with dinner following.
U.S. strength and conditioning coach Brian Galivan had a birthday today and was celebrated and roasted by players and staff. Galivan shared that his favorite birthday present ever was a trip to Maui when he turned 40 back in 2019.
Impacting success is why Steve “Killer” Miller is as an assistant coach for his record seventh U.S. National Junior Team. No one has served on more U.S. National Junior Teams in that capacity and no one has won more medals, with the Sun Prairie, Wis., native having been part of guiding U.S. teams to gold medals in 2017, 2021 and 2024; a silver medal in 2019 and a bronze medal in 2018. On top of that success, Miller, who is currently the associate head coach for the University of Minnesota men’s ice hockey team, has been an assistant collegiate coach for three NCAA national championship squads and 22 teams that have earned NCAA Tournament berths.
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.
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.
Top 2 Pregame Rituals
Meditate
Find a spot in the stands and tape my stick (heel to toe)
Top 2 Pastimes
Read parts of the bible
Choppin’ it up with the guys
Top 2 Amusement Park Rides
Steel Curtain
Phantom’s Revenge
Top 2 Favorite Foods
Chipotle (burrito with white rice, chicken, queso, mild tomato salsa, corn, cheese, lettuce)
Eggs (scrambled)
Top 2 Songs Ever
Ghost Town by Sam Barber
Real Gone by Sheryl Crow
BONUS CATEGORY
Top 2 Numbers
8 – Had it in Youngstown; defaulted to it when I went to BU
88 – Patrick Kane used it and I thought it was a good-looking number
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.
Trey Augustine is likely to become just the third American netminder ever to play in three IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships. The others include Alan Perry, who played 18 games over World Junior tournaments in 1983, 1984 and 1985, and Jack Campbell, who competed in 14 combined games during the 2010, 2011, and 2012 World Juniors. Spencer Knight also was part of three U.S. teams in the World Juniors, but only actually played in two of the years.
In total, there have been 22 American players who have played in three IIHF World Junior Championships and the list is below.
Chris Biotti, D, New Center, Mass. (1985-87)
Bobby Crawford, F, Roslyn Heights, N.Y. (1977-79)
Ted Crowley, D, Boxboro, Mass. (1988-90)
Adam Deadmarsh, F, Portland, Ore. (1993-95)
Jeff Farkas, F, Amherst, N.Y. (1996-98)
Andy Hilbert, F, Howell, Mich. (1999-01)
Spencer Knight, G, Darien, Conn. (2019-21)
Steve Leach, F, Lexington, Mass. (1984-86)
Brian Lee, D, Moorhead, Minn. (2005-07)
Brian Leetch, D, Cheshire, Conn. (1985-87)
Paul Mara, D, Belmont, Mass. (1997-99)
Kelly Miller, F, Lansing, Mich. (1981-83)
Patrick O’Sullivan, F, Winston-Salem, N.C. (2003-05)
Alan Perry, G, Johnson, R.I. (1984-86)
Brian Rolston, F, Ann Arbor, Mich. (1991-93)
Jordan Schroeder, F, Prior Lake, Minn. (2008-10)
Ryan Sittler, F, Buffalo, N.Y. (1992-94)
Ryan Suter, D, Madison, Wis. (2003-05)
James van Riemsdyk, F, Middletown, N.J. (2007-09)
Mike York, F, Waterford, Mich. (1996-98)
Scott Young, F, Clinton, Mass. (1985-87)
Jason Zucker, F, Las Vegas, Nev. (2010-12)
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.
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.
Top 2 Songs Ever
Paradise by Coldplay
American Nights by Zach Bryan
Top 2 Favorite Foods
Chicken Parm
Lobster Roll
Top 2 Amusement Park Rides
The Balder in Gothenburg, Sweden, at Liseberg
Hulk ride at Disney
Top 2 Hockey Terms
Eating a pill
Snipe
Top 2 Things I’m Thankful For
My Family
All of my teammates
Top 2 Pizza Toppings
Prosciutto
Sausage
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.
Jon Morosi from NHL Network conducted sit-down interviews with 17 players as well as general manager John Vanbiesbrouck and head coach David Carle this afternoon and evening at the team’s hotel. The six-hour shoot, which started at 3 p.m. and was led by producer Sean Hyland, included three cameras and an American-themed set that featured a large American flag, along with an assortment of Team USA hockey equipment. The content gathered will be utilized in NHL Network’s coverage of the 2025 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship, both during the broadcast of games and through other digital media efforts.
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.
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.
Brett Larson
Steve Miller
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.
A total of 29 players from 11 states arrived here yesterday from all parts of the country hoping to garner a spot on the final 25-player roster, which is expected to be named by Dec. 24.
U.S. head coach David Carle returns to guide the U.S. National Junior Team after not only leading Team USA to gold at the World Juniors a year ago, but also guiding his Denver Pioneers to the NCAA Division I men’s ice hockey national title.
Carle and his coaching staff, all of whom were part of last year’s gold-medal trek, have 10 players from the previous year’s team in camp, including netminder Trey Augustine, who is aiming for a chance to make his third-straight World Juniors appearance.
One new wrinkle to this year’s World Juniors will be the ability for all teams to utilize the 25 players on their roster freely during the tournament. Previously, once a team had utilized 23 players, its other two players could only compete if one of the first 23 players suffered a tournament-ending injury or illness. Teams may dress up to 20 skaters and two goaltenders in a game.
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.
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.
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.