U.S. Begins Play in Men’s Worlds Friday vs. Denmark

Brady Skjei’s favorite movie growing up in Minnesota was “Miracle,” which recounted the 1980 United States men’s hockey team’s improbable march to the Olympic gold medal.

Now the Nashville Predators’ defenseman is ready to represent the red, white and blue himself.

Skjei is the oldest member of the U.S. squad that will participate in the 2025 IIHF Men’s World Championship, set for May 9-25 in Herning, Denmark, and Stockholm, Sweden.

“Obviously, it’s an enormous honor,” he said. “I always look forward to the times when I can throw on the jersey and play with the team.”

The Americans haven’t won gold since 1933 but have been in the thick of the competition for it in the past decade, securing bronze in 2021, 2018, 2015 and 2013.

It’s also a watershed moment for Ryan Warsofsky, head coach of the U.S. Men’s National Team, who will be leading a team for the first time at an international tournament.

“First and foremost, it’s the USA Hockey logo,” said the 37-year-old head coach. “Representing your country is the ultimate honor. It’s very humbling. I have a lot of gratitude to a lot of people to do this.”

Team USA will begin play in the world championship Friday (May 9) against host Denmark in a Group B preliminary-round game at Jyske Bank Boxen in Herning.

The preliminary round will continue for the U.S. with games against Hungary, Switzerland, Norway, Germany, Kazakhstan and Czechia. All tournament games will be broadcast live on NHL Network.

Skjei said the biggest differences in the international game versus the NHL version is the ice surface, which is wider, and the fact that there is more puck possession.

Warsofsky, who is also the head coach of the San Jose Sharks, added, “The biggest thing is the European teams play a different style. They want to slow you down in the neutral zone. The North American style is to get on teams and be aggressive and play a 200-foot game.”

Sure, there are differences, but Warsofsky has plenty of talent on his squad to overcome them.

Take the goaltending position. Jeremy Swayman of the Boston Bruins was on the U.S. 2025 4 Nations Face-Off team and Joey Daccord of the Seattle Kraken went 27-23-5 with a 2.75 goals-against average in 2024-25.

“We like our goaltending position,” Warsofsky said. “The consistency is the goal.”

The team’s lines are still coming together but expect to see plenty of forwards Tage Thompson (Buffalo Sabres) and Clayton Keller (Utah Hockey Club). Thompson scored 44 goals for the Sabres in 2024-25, tied for third in the NHL, while Keller chipped in 30 for Utah.

Those are two of the team’s biggest stars, but there are also guys who may not be in the international limelight right now who may take a big step at this tournament.

Warsofsky thinks defensemen Jackson LaCombe (Anaheim Ducks) and Alex Vlasic (Chicago Blackhawks) fall into that category.

“(Vlasic) is going to be a really, really good player,” Warsofksy said. “He’s big and long and athletic. I know the problems he created for us this season.”

Meanwhile, Warsofky said LaCombe is going to be “a special player in the NHL for years to come.”

The competition overseas will be fierce for the U.S.

Czechia beat Switzerland for the 2024 gold medal, and both teams are in Group B with the Americans.

“We can’t take any team lightly,” Warsofsky said. “This is a game of hockey. It’ll turn into a one-game playoff, and if you sleep, the tournament is over for you. We have to make sure we’re prepared and laser focused. There are a lot of dangerous teams out there.”

That’s why management of every aspect of the experience is key. For example, Warsofsky has a lot of data that will determine factors like workload, sleep and travel.

Then there’s the challenge of managing the expectations of each player on the roster, who are almost all used to playing significant minutes on their respective NHL teams.  

How will Warsofsky manage that?

“When you look at these tournaments and the Olympics and the 4 Nations and for anyone that wants to win, you have to check your ego at the door,” Warsofsky said. “It might be different than your role in the NHL. Our No. 1 goal is to win a gold medal.”

Story from Red Line Editorial, Inc.

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Source: usahockey.com