By USA Hockey, 02/12/25, 9:30PM EST
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.
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
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
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.
Tag(s): News Men's Home 4 Nations Face-Off
