Enjoy a daily behind-the-scenes journey with Team USA during the 4 Nations Face-Off. The tournament, including the best NHL players from the U.S., Canada, Finland and Sweden, runs from Feb. 12-20 in Montreal and Boston.
Following breakfast at the team hotel on Wednesday morning, Team USA made its way to TD Garden for the final practice of the 4 Nations Face-Off, focusing on final preparations for tomorrow night’s championship game against Canada (8 p.m. ET on ESPN). Forwards Auston Matthews and Matthew Tkachuk both skated this morning after missing Team USA’s final round robin-game of the tournament on Monday night against Sweden. Brady Tkachuk missed today’s practice due to illness, but head coach Mike Sullivan told the assembled media at his post-practice press conference that he expects Brady will be available and ready to go on Thursday night.
Several players fulfilled television rightsholder interviews following practice as the networks gear up for tomorrow night’s highly anticipated rematch. Team USA forward, Dylan Larkin, also joined Matt Barrie on ESPN’s SportsCenter for an interview previewing tomorrow night’s championship game. Team USA has the Boston Bruins locker room and following practice it was jam packed with the news media covering the event, making it difficult for players to even get to their stalls.
Head coach Mike Sullivan brought a special guest to his media availability this afternoon – legendary Boston University men’s ice hockey coach, Jack Parker – who coached Sullivan at BU from 1986-90. Parker, a college hockey icon and member of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame, coached the Terriers for 40 seasons and led them to three national championships, 11 conference titles and 21 Beanpot Tournament crowns.
Auston Matthews was a guest on SportsCenter tonight with Scott VanPelt … Among those expected to be in attendance at tomorrow night’s championship game -- Meredith Gaudreau, wife of the late Johnny Gaudreau; Mike Modano, arguably the top American player of all-time and someone who played numerous times for Team USA in international competition, including in three Olympic Winter Games; and Mike Trimboli, president of USA Hockey … Matthew Tkachuk called Charles Barkley after practice today to wish him an early happy birthday. Barkley turns 62 tomorrow.
Head Coach Mike Sullivan gave the team a day off to relax and spend time with family and friends. Team USA dropped a 2-1 decision to Sweden here last night in its final round robin game and hit five posts along the way. The game had no meaning in terms of the standings as the U.S. has already secured the top seed and a spot in Thursday’s championship contest.
Five players, including Brock Nelson, Noah Hanifin, Chris Kreider, Jake Sanderson and Matt Boldy made the journey to TD Garden from the team’s hotel with coach Mike Sullivan late this morning to participate in a short media availability. The players each had a “pod” where they visited with media, while coach Sullivan had a formal press conference set.
At lunchtime today, Brady and Matthew Tkachuk, with their parents Keith and Chantal, journeyed to Santarpio’s Pizza in East Boston to shoot a segment for ESPN that will air in advance of Thursday’s championship game. The four sat at the bar and were guided through a fun conversation with ESPN producers while enjoying lunch. Santarpio’s is an old staple for the Tkachuk family, particularly Keith, who shared it was a place he has been to more than 50 times, including growing up as a kid. Santarpio’s was established in 1903 as a bakery by Frank Santarpio and began selling pizza in 1933. It is primarily known for its Boston-style pizza.
The U.S. National Sled Team is in greater Boston getting set to face Canada tomorrow at 6 p.m. in Saugus, Mass., at Kasabuski Rink as part of the Reeve Hockey Classic. The game will be streamed live on USAHockeyTV.com. The teams will also battle Thursday at 1:30 p.m. and will attend the 4 Nations Face-Off championship game later that night. The U.S. has won gold at the last four Paralympic Winter Games, an unprecedented feat.
First practice down for the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team ahead of the Reeve Hockey Classic
— USA Hockey (@usahockey) February 17, 2025
Game one will be streaming live on https://t.co/PRm5Axqvfy this Wednesday, Feb. 19 at 6pm ET! pic.twitter.com/cetpkE4UJ9
Team USA’s roster includes 10 individuals from the state of Massachusetts, including players Matt Boldy, Jack Eichel, Noah Hanifin and Chris Kreider, along with staff members including head coach Mike Sullivan, assistant coach John Tortorella, goaltending coach Mike Buckley, general manager Bill Guerin, assistant general manager Tom Fitzgerald and director of player personnel Chris Kelleher … U.S. defenseman Charlie McAvoywill not play in Thursday’s championship due to injury. All other members of Team USA are expected to be available … As the top seed heading into the championship game, Team USA has the Boston Bruins locker room for the rest of the tournament and will be the home team on Thursday night … Look for Keith Tkachuk to join Steve Levy, Mark Messier and P.K. Subban during ESPN’s pre-game show on Thursday.
Chris Kreider scored the lone goal for the U.S. Men’s National Team in a 2-1 loss to Sweden in the final round-robin contest of the 4 Nations Face-Off. For the full recap, click here.
Team USA takes the ice against Canada for the 4 Nations Face-Off Championship Game on Thursday (Feb. 20). The puck drops at TD Garden at 8:00 p.m. ET and the game will be televised on ESPN.
After an emotional, hard fought 3-1 victory over arch-rival Canada at the Bell Centre in Montreal on Saturday night that raised Team USA’s record at the 4 Nations Face-Off to 2-0-0-0 (6 pts.) and clinched a spot in Thursday’s championship game, the team boarded two buses at midnight local time for the drive to the team charter looking to beat the incoming inclement weather out of Montreal. Despite some delays, including time to de-ice the plane, Team USA’s charter was off to Boston where the remainder of the 4 Nations Face-Off will be held at TD Garden, home of the National Hockey League’s Boston Bruins.
Team USA touched down in Boston at approximately 3:30 a.m. ET, cleared customs, and were off to the team hotel. It was a slow drive as inclement weather hit the Boston area as well on Saturday and into Sunday, but Team USA’s buses finally pulled up to the team hotel just before 5:00 a.m. ET.
Sunday was a day off the ice for the players and most used the time to catch up on sleep, relax around the hotel and enjoy some of their favorite restaurants in the Boston area. Head Coach Mike Sullivan and five players – Jack Hughes, Adam Fox, Jaccob Slavin, Vincent Trochek and Kyle Connor – made their way to TD Garden at 4 p.m. ET for a visit with the media covering the 4 Nations Face-Off in Boston.
Team USA will prepare for its final round robin game of the 4 Nations Face-Off against Sweden on Monday (8 p.m. ET on TNT) … Team USA forward Jake Guentzel currently leads the 4 Nations Face-Off in goals (3) and is tied with teammate Zach Werenski for the tournament lead in points (4) … Team USA goaltender Connor Hellebuyck’s stellar play through two tournament games has him leading all 4-Nations goaltenders in wins (2), goals-against average (1.00) and save percentage (.957) … Saturday’s clash between Team USA and Canada delivered on the ice and on the tube as well – the game averaged 4.4 million viewers with a peak of 5.2 million – and was the most-viewed non-Stanley Cup Final hockey telecast since 2019
Jake Guentzel found the back of the net twice as the U.S. Men’s National Team scored three unanswered goals in a 3-1 victory over Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off at the Bell Centre. With the win, Team USA clinched a spot in the 4 Nations Face-Off Championship Game on Thursday (Feb. 20). For the full recap, click here.
Team USA will face Sweden in its final round-robin game on Monday (Feb. 17) at TD Garden in Boston. Puck drop is set for 8 p.m. ET, and the game will be broadcast on TNT.
PUNCHING THEIR TICKET!!
— NHL (@NHL) February 16, 2025
USA has secured their spot in the #4Nations Face-Off Championship!
: #4Nations Face-Off Championship Game on February 20 at 8p ET on @espn, @ESPNPlus, @Sportsnet, @TVASports pic.twitter.com/G0U2hR9gUl
Vibes for daysss
— USA Hockey (@usahockey) February 16, 2025
See ya in Boston! #4Nations pic.twitter.com/spbt84Oxvk
A few words from Coach and Guentzel with the #13 jersey after last night’s win! #4Nations pic.twitter.com/PMKO72AvnV
— USA Hockey (@usahockey) February 16, 2025
It was a day off the ice for Team USA ahead of tomorrow’s highly anticipated match-up against Canada at Bell Centre tomorrow night (8 p.m. ET/ABC).
At the team hotel, the U.S. training staff treated players, and the Amazon show FACEOFF: Inside The NHL conducted a number of interviews and also filmed lunch with the Tkachuk family.
NHL Productions shot some behind-the-scenes footage of Team USA’s coaches meeting, and a handful of players and head coach Mike Sullivan went to the Bell Centre to visit with media.
While there are not many hotels across the globe that have a flower shop, Team USA’s headquarters does include one, and as you might imagine, it came in handy for players and staff with significant others in town. The hotel also had a fun display in the lobby with various forms of chocolate for sale to celebrate, including one choice in the shape of a high heel shoe.
With a significant snowstorm slated to hit Montreal tomorrow, it was a chaotic day of shuffling travel plans for the team journey to Boston, originally set to take place Sunday morning. Instead, Team USA will now depart right after the game tomorrow night. While that may sound like not the biggest deal, it involves a significant number of logistical challenges -- from acquiring hotel rooms, meal schedules, charter bus transportation, air transport, trucks to move equipment and the list goes on.
The U.S. beat Finland, 6-1, to open play in the 4 Nations Face-Off in Montreal tonight. Brothers Matthew and Brady Tkachuk each scored twice to lead the U.S.
Team USA will face Canada on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET on ABC in its second of three round-robin games in the events. For the full recap, click here.
Team USA continued preparations for its opening game of the 4 Nations Face-Off with a late morning practice at the CN Sports Complex (about a 30-minute drive from the team’s headquarters hotel in downtown Montreal). The U.S. opens play in the tournament tomorrow night at the Bell Centre against Finland (8 p.m. ET/ESPN). Following practice, a dozen players and head coach Mike Sullivan visited with members of the assembled media.
This afternoon at the team hotel, Team USA operations manager Brij Singh organized a team signing with jerseys, sticks and one hat that players signed for each other. Vincent Trocheck’s seven-year-old son Leo Trocheck came with his dad to the signing and counted the number of items, one-by-one, out loud. When he was finished, the total was 99 items in all.
Team USA captain Auston Matthews participated in the opening ceremony of the 4 Nations Face-Off at Bell Centre tonight and received a ceremonial national team banner from U.S. Hockey Hall of Famer Mike Richter, who starred in goal on Team USA’s 1996 World Cup of Hockey Team. The other three teams also had their captains on hand as well in addition to a retired hockey legend from their country, with Canada including Sidney Crosby and Mario Lemieux; Finland featuring Alexansder Barkov and Teemu Selanne; and Sweden celebrating Victor Hedman and Daniel Alfredsson.
U.S. forward Jack Hughes will be revealing Team USA’s goal song for the 4 Nations Face-Off tomorrow on X. Look for it before noon ET … Connor Hellebuyck will get the call in net for Team USA against Finland. He’s a two-time Vezina Trophy winner from the Winnipeg Jets. The Commerce, Mich., native is 34-7-2 (2.06, .925) so far this season. He has represented the U.S. in three IIHF Men’s World Championships and also played for Team North America in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey … Team USA’s locker room music today came from the playlist of Chris “Frosty” Scoppetto, one of the three equipment managers part of the U.S. staff and a veteran in supporting U.S. teams on the international stage. Among the songs resonating throughout the locker room and nearby hallways were “Just Breathe” by Pearl Jam, “I Will Buy You a New Life” by Everclear, “Interstate Love Song” by Stone Temple Pilots, “All Over You” by Live, and “Peaches” by The Presidents Of The United States Of America … After enjoying dinner at some of the great restaurants around the city of Montreal, a number of U.S. players gathered at the team hotel to watch the opening game of the 4 Nations Face-Off between Canada and Sweden.
A couple of nuggets from U.S. Head Coach Mike Sullivan at his press conference today after practice.
On Matt Boldy … “He has a quiet confidence, but knows he belongs.”
On Auston Matthews … “He carries himself with such humility.”
Helle gets the nod
— USA Hockey (@usahockey) February 12, 2025
See you tomorrow at 8p ET on @espn. #4Nations pic.twitter.com/XXcvt8s2Or
It was lights, cameras, action and more today at Bell Centre as Team USA had its second practice in advance of the 4 Nations Face-Off. Today’s practice incorporated special teams work for the first time. And speaking of special, Guy Gaudreau – father of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau -- also put on his skates and joined the team on the ice for the 55-minute practice session.
At the outset of its practice, Team USA took its team photo. At the request of the players, the picture, which was masterfully crafted by long-time photographer Andre Ringuette, included Guy Gaudreau. Following the team picture, Ringuette snapped a number of group photos, among them captains, coaches and the combinations of players and staff from different NHL teams and colleges. U.S. general manager Bill Guerin had ventured off in the stands prior to the completion of the group shots, but raced back to ensure he was in the Boston College photo.
An extensive media day that incorporated the many television rights holders from across the world -- as well as the significant presence of non-television media covering the tournament – took place following practice.
U.S. head coach Mike Sullivan and general manager Bill Guerin answered questions in a 25-minute press conference style format immediately after practice ended to start the festivities.
Over the course of the next 60-plus minutes, all 23 players were involved in interviews in a variety of fashions. The NHL had eight “pods” set up and each player sat for a session to answer questions from media. In addition, many of the players visited with the various television rights holders, including ESPN and TNT in the U.S.
Guy Gaudreau also shared exclusive thoughts with Stephen Whyno from the Associated Press and Dan Rosen from NHL.com.
USA Hockey executive director Pat Kelleher arrived in Montreal today and is with Team USA for the duration of 4 Nations Face-Off … The Montreal weather forecast for late tomorrow and into Thursday calls for 8-12 inches of snow, with an additional 3-6 inches coming on Saturday … Team USA’s journey from its hotel headquarters to the Bell Centre for practice this morning was delayed by some 10 minutes as the intersection outside the hotel was blocked by a semi dropping off a roll-off dumpster … Through two days of practice, Team USA’s support staff has had to move the entire team set-up three times already and there is no end in sight with practices and games alternating between the Bell Centre and CN Sports Complex. It is an involved multiple-hour endeavor with each move … U.S. hockey legend Keith Tkachuk and his wife Chantal are expected to arrive in Montreal tomorrow. Their sons Matthew and Brady are playing for Team USA.
The players and staff of Team USA arrived in Montreal from across the country yesterday, with the first on the ground coming in early afternoon and concluding with Jake Sanderson’s 1 a.m. arrival. Sanderson replaced Quinn Hughes, who was unable to participate. The players gathered in the Team USA meeting room to watch the Super Bowl with allegiances siding with the Philadelphia Eagles, largely in support of Johnny Gaudreau, who was a lifelong Eagles fan.
The red, white and blue looks good on ya, fellas #4Nations pic.twitter.com/gecCiFLB9I
— USA Hockey (@usahockey) February 10, 2025
Head coach Mike Sullivan and assistant coaches John Tortorella, John Hynes and David Quinn did a roundtable discussion with Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet today after practice for a fun piece discussing a variety of topics related to American hockey and the 4 Nations Face-Off. Each coach was asked to share a retired American player they would have liked to coach. Players from the 1980 U.S. Olympic Team dominated the answers with Hynes sharing Dave Silk, Tortorella Mike Ramsey and Quinn Jack O’Callahan. In addition, the coaches were asked if they needed a goal in the shootout on Team USA who they would select, the opinion was split between Auston Matthews and Jack Eichel.
It was a dinner to remember for the U.S. Men’s National Team tonight with U.S. general manager Bill Guerin surprising the players and staff with four special guests who shared inspiring messages for the group. The luminaries included captain Mike Eruzione and Rob McLanahan from the 1980 U.S. Olympic Team; Mike Modano, arguably the best American player of all-time; and Guy Gaudreau, father of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau. All four offered words to the group reflecting the great opportunity to represent the country.
U.S. head coach Mike Sullivan characterized the 2025 U.S. Men’s National Team to media today with “We have a group with speed, skill and will.” He also shared with the team at breakfast this morning that attitude, effort and self-sacrifice will determine its fate.
Team USA had an hour-long practice today at CN Sports Complex, the practice facility of the Montreal Canadiens, starting at 12 noon … The media coverage of the 4 Nations Face-Off is significant and includes an all-access behind-the-scenes show that will showcase the event through two shows, one airing on Feb. 19 before the championship game and one after the conclusion of the event … The U.S. last won a senior-level men’s international tournament at the 1996 World Cup of Hockey. In the 1996-97 season, 143 Americans played in the NHL and in 2023-24, 288 Americans played in the NHL, representing growth of 101% … U.S. assistant coach John Hynes turned 50 today and U.S. captain Auston Matthews delivered a special dessert to him at Team USA’s dinner to celebrate the occasion.