By USA Hockey, 05/16/25, 4:00PM EDT
The 2025 IIHF Men's World Championship will take place from May 9–25, 2025, in Herning, Denmark, and Stockholm, Sweden. Scroll for an inside look at Team USA's journey—from the start of camp in Düsseldorf, Germany, all the way through the team's final moments at this year's tournament.
Prior to its skate today at the practice rink, the U.S. took its team picture. Veteran IIHF photo staff Chris Tanyoue and Matt Zambonin — along with assistance from the rink staff — got the chairs and benches in place for the picture, and after the players and staff were in place, Zambonin directed some final movement for symmetry and then took the photo. Following the team photo, a number of group shots were taken, including coaches, captains, goaltenders and groups of players and/or staff from various colleges/universities or NHL teams.
Reppin’ the & #MensWorlds pic.twitter.com/tFAQjg5E13
Some #MensWorlds photo day shenanigans pic.twitter.com/hu46K54sVr
Bill Guerin, general manager of the NHL’s Minnesota Wild, arrived in Herning today and will be here through the tournament quarterfinals. Guerin is the GM of the 2026 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team. As he has been vocal about the importance of American NHL players competing in the world championship, he thought it was important for him to be here in support of Team USA and also to have a chance to meet and interact with players and staff on the squad. A member of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame, Guerin is a three-time Olympian and helped the U.S. win the very first World Cup of Hockey in 1996.
Some players went to see the movie Sinners last night and reviews were generally not the most positive. That said, the theater itself got very positive reviews … Some 35 guests of U.S. players and staff arrived in Herning this morning and will be here for the duration of the tournament. They were treated to weather that was sunny and 60, which has been consistent throughout Team USA’s stay here … Chris LaCombe, father of U.S. defenseman Jackson LaCombe, works for Creative Artists Agency. He is an NHLPA-certified agent and spends his time developing relationships with USHL and NCAA prospects and their families as well as client management … Tage Thompson’s father Brent had a 15-year career as a professional hockey player with stints in the IHL, NHL, AHL, and CHL and turned to coaching hockey full-time in 2005-06 where he has coached in the AHL, ECHL and NHL as either a head or assistant coach. His last stint was a two-year stay as an assistant with the Anaheim Ducks that ended following the 2024-25 campaign … The U.S. faces Germany tomorrow at 6:20 a.m. ET (12:20 p.m. local) in its fifth of seven preliminary round games. It’s an important tilt for the U.S. as it seeks to solidify a spot in the quarterfinals.
Throughout the IIHF Men’s World Championship, you’ll have a chance to learn about Team USA players and staff in a feature we’re simply calling, “This or That.” Today, it’s Mikey Eyssimont from the Seattle Kraken, who played college hockey at St. Cloud State University and is playing in his third IIHF Men’s World Championship.
East Coast or West Coast -> West Coast (love ‘em both)
Hot Dog or Hamburger -> Hot Dog
Country or Rock -> Rock
Ranch or Blue Cheese -> Ranch
Iced Coffee or Hot Coffee -> Hot Coffee
Sports Car or Truck -> Sports Car
Soda or Pop -> Soda
Bags or Cornhole -> Bags
Jeans or Sweats -> Sweats
Tennis Shoes or Sneakers -> Tennis Shoes
Taylor Swift or Travis Kelce -> Taylor Swift
Super Bowl or World Series -> World Series
4th of July or Memorial Day -> Memorial Day
Takeout or Dine-in -> Dine in
Skiing or Snowboarding -> Skiing
Cream Cheese or Butter (on a bagel) -> Butter
Apple Pie or Chocolate Chip Cookies -> Chocolate Chip Cookies
Tom Brady or Patrick Mahomes -> Patrick Mahomes
Outside of a brief team meeting at 11 a.m. at the team hotel, the U.S. had today off. A handful of players received treatments at the hotel from the physio staff of Daryl Moore and Peewee Willmann, and Brian Galivan, Team USA’s performance coach, offered the opportunity for players to run through a six-station neuro charge that utilized resistance bands and medicine balls.
The U.S. coaching and management staff was most interested in the Germany-Switzerland game today and attended the game. The U.S. will face Germany in its next outing on Saturday … While the sun was out, it was a bit cooler today with temperatures in the high 50s and a bit of a gusty wind at times. That did not deter some players and staff from taking to the links at Herning Golf Club … Hitting the sauna in the team hotel, card games, rest, and varying fashions of enjoying the cuisine here in Herning were among other activities today. In addition, a group of players were off to the movies in the evening with sights set on seeing Sinners.
Pringles and pretzels are among the most popular snacks found in the U.S. team room at the hotel … Pat Kelleher, executive director of USA Hockey, is expected to arrive here in Herning tomorrow as is Bill Guerin, the general manager of the 2026 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team and also the GM of the NHL’s Minnesota Wild … The U.S. will take its team picture tomorrow at the outset of practice … The U.S. has medaled in every IIHF World Championship this season to date, including gold in the IIHF World Junior Championship and IIHF Women’s World Championship; silver in the IIHF Under-18 Women’s World Championship and bronze in the IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championship.
Throughout the IIHF Men’s World Championship, you’ll have a chance to learn about Team USA players and staff in a feature we’re simply calling, “This or That.” Today, it’s Shane Pinto from the Ottawa Senators, who played college hockey at the University of North Dakota and is playing in his second IIHF Men’s World Championship.
East Coast or West Coast -> East Coast
Hot Dog or Hamburger -> Hamburger
Country or Rock -> Country
Ranch or Blue Cheese -> Ranch (by a million)
Iced Coffee or Hot Coffee -> Depends on the season
Sports Car or Truck -> Sports Car
Soda or Pop -> Soda
Bags or Cornhole -> Cornhole
Jeans or Sweats -> Sweats
Tennis Shoes or Sneakers -> Sneakers
Taylor Swift or Travis Kelce -> Taylor Swift
Super Bowl or World Series -> World Series
4th of July or Memorial Day -> 4th of July
Takeout or Dine-in -> Dine in
Skiing or Snowboarding -> Snowboarding
Cream Cheese or Butter (on a bagel) -> Cream Cheese
Apple Pie or Chocolate Chip Cookies -> Chocolate Chip Cookies (not even close)
Tom Brady or Patrick Mahomes -> Tom Brady
The U.S. Men’s National Team, behind three goals from Tage Thompson and a goal and two assists from Clayton Keller earned a 6-5 overtime win over Norway here today in the world championship. Team USA has two days off before an important contest against Germany on Saturday at 12:20 p.m. local time/6:20 a.m. ET. For the full recap, click HERE.
Throughout the IIHF Men’s World Championship, you’ll have a chance to learn about Team USA players and staff in a feature we’re simply calling, “This or That.” Today, it’s Jeremy Swayman from the Boston Bruins, who played college hockey at the University of Maine and is playing in his second IIHF Men’s World Championship.
East Coast or West Coast -> West Coast
Hot Dog or Hamburger -> Hot Dog
Country or Rock -> Rock
Ranch or Blue Cheese -> Ranch
Iced Coffee or Hot Coffee -> Iced Coffee
Sports Car or Truck -> Truck
Soda or Pop -> Soda
Bags or Cornhole -> Cornhole
Jeans or Sweats -> Sweats
Tennis Shoes or Sneakers -> Sneakers
Taylor Swift or Travis Kelce -> Taylor Swift
Super Bowl or World Series -> World Series
4thof July or Memorial Day -> 4thof July
Takeout or Dine-in -> Takeout
Skiing or Snowboarding -> Skiing
Cream Cheese or Butter (on a bagel) -> Cream Cheese
Apple Pie or Chocolate Chip Cookies -> Chocolate Chip Cookies
Tom Brady or Patrick Mahomes -> Tom Brady
It was largely a day off for players today as the U.S. gets set to face Norway in an important game tomorrow here in Herning. Two players – defenseman Zach Werenski and goaltender Hampton Slukynsky, along with goaltending coach Thomas Speer made the journey to the practice rink this morning to hit the ice. Equipment manager Jeff Camelio, athletic trainer Stan Wong and Dr. Doug Weiss accompanied the group. Speer ran the players through a snappy 30-minute session. Werenski arrived here in Herning yesterday and would have played against the Swiss, however, his equipment did not arrive with him. He was happy to see his hockey bag this morning so he could get in a skate before tomorrow’s tilt vs. Norway.
Werenski played for Team USA in February’s 4 Nations Faceoff, where the U.S. lost a heart-breaking overtime contest to Canada in the championship game. He was also part of the U.S. Men’s National Team for last year’s world championship. A finalist for the Norris Trophy as the top defenseman in the NHL, Werenski is a champion for American players competing in the world championship.
“I want to see us have success in tournaments like these,” Werenski said. “The U.S. hasn’t won this tournament in almost 100 years. We don’t medal very often at this World Championship. I feel like it’s something we have to get back to doing consistently is every year at the end of the (NHL) season, if you’re not in the playoffs or you’re not injured, guys should want to come here consistently every single season and build USA Hockey to be a consistent winner at the men’s level. That translates to 4 Nations and World Cups and Olympics.”
Welcome to Denmark, Z! #MensWorlds pic.twitter.com/ew9QBu0O3A
Dr. Doug Weiss presented every member of Team USA with a challenge coin at a team dinner back on May 7. The coin features a six-pointed star on one side that separates the six services — Navy, Army, Marines, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Space Force. In the middle of the star is a five-pointed star that represents and honors gold star family members and their fallen sons and daughters. The words Honor, Integrity and Respect are along the outer rim of the coin. The other side depicts a hockey player, USA Hockey logo and a representation of the American flag.
Weiss, who is an orthopedic surgeon, has a unique story. He joined the Navy back in 2019 at 55 years-old. While it was perhaps unconventional, he felt after his mother passed away – and as time went on — that he enjoyed his work, but felt there was something more that he needed to do. The call to serve was in his heart. He shares he wanted to do something bigger than himself, for his country and something bigger than the paycheck. He started at the Naval Hospital at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina and was then deployed to Helmand Province in Afghanistan in the spring of 2020 for a seven-month tour with a 10-person medical team serving a Marine-forward operating base. He returned to Camp Lejeune and also served orders in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Weiss finished his service in Sept. 2023.
He has served as the team physician for two U.S. Men’s National Teams and also a pair of U.S. National Junior Teams and U.S. Under-18 Men’s National Teams.
It’s hard to appropriately describe the atmosphere surrounding the IIHF Men’s World Championship, but the collection of fans across the world – with their varied garb, chants, and crazy enthusiasm – both in the arena and through the city – is unique and worth experiencing. Next year’s world championship moves to Switzerland – Zurich and Fribourg … It was a beautiful day here in Herning today – 68 and sunny – and players and staff had the chance to enjoy the city. Activities included golf for some, running along the many scenic routes, or enjoying a meal on the patio of a local Herning establishment. Rest and recovery were also an important part of the day for Team USA after back-to-back games … Hall of Famer goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck, who is part of the management team for the 2025 U.S. Men’s National Team and works full-time for USA Hockey as assistant executive director of hockey operations, attended an early afternoon reception hosted by Dorte West, the mayor of Herning, for dignitaries from the eight countries participating in the world championship here … USA Hockey is the host federation for the IPC Para Sled Hockey World Championship May 24-31 in Buffalo, New York.
Throughout the IIHF Men’s World Championship, you’ll have a chance to learn about Team USA players and staff in a feature we’re simply calling, “This or That.” Today, it’s Isaac Howard from Michigan State University, who helped the 2025 U.S. National Junior Team to the gold medal and is competing in his first IIHF Men’s World Championship.
East Coast or West Coast -> West Coast
Hot Dog or Hamburger -> Hot Dog
Country or Rock -> Country
Ranch or Blue Cheese -> Ranch
Iced Coffee or Hot Coffee -> No
Sports Car or Truck -> Sports Car
Soda or Pop -> Pop
Bags or Cornhole -> Bags
Jeans or Sweats -> Sweats
Tennis Shoes or Sneakers -> Tennis Shoes
Taylor Swift or Travis Kelce -> Travis Kelce
Super Bowl or World Series -> Super Bowl
4th of July or Memorial Day -> 4th of July
Takeout or Dine-in -> Dine-In
Skiing or Snowboarding -> Snowboarding
Cream Cheese or Butter (on a bagel) -> Cream Cheese
Apple Pie or Chocolate Chip Cookies -> Chocolate Chip Cookies
Tom Brady or Patrick Mahomes -> Tom Brady
The U.S. Men’s National Team dropped its first game of the world championship here today by a 3-0 count to Switzerland. Team USA now gets set to face Norway on Wednesday in its next preliminary round game. For the full recap, click HERE.
Defenseman Zach Werenski from the Columbus Blue Jackets arrived here today, but his equipment did not, so he was not in the lineup. He will be playing in his third IIHF Men’s World Championship and is one of three finalists for the Norris Trophy as the top defenseman in the NHL. Werenski is expected to be in the lineup on Wednesday
Throughout the IIHF Men’s World Championship, you’ll have a chance to learn about Team USA players and staff in a feature we’re simply calling, “This or That.” Today, it’s Zach Werenski from the Columbus Blue Jackets who played collegiately at the University of Michigan and is competing in his third IIHF Men’s World Championship.
East Coast or West Coast -> East Coast
Hot Dog or Hamburger -> Hamburger
Country or Rock -> Country
Ranch or Blue Cheese -> Neither
Iced Coffee or Hot Coffee -> Neither, drink black tea
Sports Car or Truck -> Truck
Soda or Pop -> Pop
Bags or Cornhole -> Bags
Jeans or Sweats -> Sweats
Tennis Shoes or Sneakers -> Tennis Shoes
Taylor Swift or Travis Kelce -> Travis Kelce
Super Bowl or World Series -> Super Bowl
4th of July or Memorial Day -> 4th of July
Takeout or Dine-in -> Takeout
Skiing or Snowboarding -> Skiing
Cream Cheese or Butter (on a bagel) -> Butter
Apple Pie or Chocolate Chip Cookies -> Chocolate Chip Cookies
Tom Brady or Patrick Mahomes -> Tom Brady
On Mother’s Day, the U.S. Men’s National Team earned its second straight shutout in the 2025 World Championship with a 6-0 victory over Hungary behind two goals and an assist from Frank Nazar and two goals from Cutter Gauthier. Jeremy Swayman earned his third career world championship shutout with 13 saves. For the full recap, click HERE.
Gauthier beams one in! #MensWorlds pic.twitter.com/Ji8fJD4qcx
Franky tippin' it in! #MensWorlds pic.twitter.com/BNr4HQydDv
No caption needed #MensWorlds pic.twitter.com/6UKQZmm4HD
Throughout the IIHF Men’s World Championship, you’ll have a chance to learn about Team USA players and staff in a feature we’re simply calling, “This or That.” Today, it’s Matty Beniers from the Seattle Kraken who played collegiately at the University of Michigan and is competing in his second IIHF Men’s World Championship.
East Coast or West Coast -> East Coast
Hot Dog or Hamburger -> Hamburger
Country or Rock -> Country
Ranch or Blue Cheese -> Ranch
Iced Coffee or Hot Coffee -> Iced Coffee
Sports Car or Truck -> Sports Car
Soda or Pop -> Soda
Bags or Cornhole -> Both
Jeans or Sweats -> Jeans
Tennis Shoes or Sneakers -> Tennis Shoes
Taylor Swift or Travis Kelce -> Travis Kelce
Super Bowl or World Series -> Super Bowl
4th of July or Memorial Day -> 4th of July
Takeout or Dine-in -> Dine-in
Skiing or Snowboarding -> Skiing
Cream Cheese or Butter (on a bagel) -> Cream Cheese
Apple Pie or Chocolate Chip Cookies -> Apple Pie
Tom Brady or Patrick Mahomes -> Tom Brady
Shane Pinto arrived in Herning yesterday and was on the ice for practice today. The Ottawa Senators forward played for Team USA in the men’s world championship last year and contributed nine points, including two goals and seven assists in eight games played. Pinto played college hockey at the University of North Dakota and prior to that competed in the USHL for both the Lincoln Stars and Tri-City Storm. Pinto was one of Team USA’s top three players in the 2020 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship with seven points (4 goals, 3 assists) in five games played
Team USA players were all at the rink today but had an optional skate. While a handful of players opted to take to the ice, the rest of the group took part in an off-ice workout led by sports performance coach Brian Galivan. A handful of players also spoke with media covering the tournament, along with head coach Ryan Warsofsky. A good group of players also gathered in the communal lounge area outside Team USA’s dressing room to watch the a part of the Canada-Slovenia preliminary round game taking place in Stockholm, Sweden.
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Brian Galivan, who is leading sports performance for the U.S. Men’s National Team here in Herning, was announced as the director of performance for the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres yesterday. He has spent the last six years as the director of sport science for USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program in Plymouth, Michigan.
It was another beautiful day in Herning with temperatures in the low 60s and the sun shining. The town was full of energy with fans from around the world gathering through the city center to celebrate the world championship … David Warsofsky, brother of head coach Ryan Warsofsky, arrived Friday and is here through tomorrow. David played for Team USA in the 2022 Olympic Winter Games, the 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship (gold medal) and the 2008 IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championship (bronze medal). He was part of USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program for the 2007-08 campaign … Zach Werenski, a finalist for the NHL’s Norris Trophy as the top defenseman in the league, is expected to join Team USA on Monday … Team USA captain Clayton Keller sat down for a 10-minute interview today that will be available to broadcasters around the world. Keller, the captain of the NHL’s Utah Mammoth, reflected on his hockey journey and also shared thoughts on Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau. Keller is playing in his third men’s world championship. His first was in 2017 when he was just 18.9 years of age, which ranks as the 12th youngest player ever for the U.S. in the event. Jack Hughes, at 17 years, 11.5 months, was the youngest in 2019.
Throughout the IIHF Men’s World Championship, you’ll have a chance to learn about Team USA players and staff in a feature we’re simply calling, “This or That.”
Today, it’s Mason Lohrei from the Boston Bruins, who played collegiately at Ohio State University and is competing in his first IIHF Men’s World Championship.
East Coast or West Coast -> East Coast
Hot Dog or Hamburger -> Hamburger
Country or Rock -> Country (heavy)
Ranch or Blue Cheese -> Ranch (on everything)
Iced Coffee or Hot Coffee -> Iced Coffee
Sports Car or Truck -> Truck
Soda or Pop -> Soda
Bags or Cornhole -> Cornhole
Jeans or Sweats -> Sweats
Tennis Shoes or Sneakers -> Sneakers
Taylor Swift or Travis Kelce -> Taylor Swift
Super Bowl or World Series -> Super Bowl
4th of July or Memorial Day -> 4th of July
Takeout or Dine-in -> Dine-in
Cream Cheese or Butter (on a bagel) -> Cream Cheese
Apple Pie or Chocolate Chip Cookies -> Chocolate Chip Cookies
Tom Brady or Patrick Mahomes -> Tom Brady
The U.S. Men’s National Team got two goals from Matty Beniers and 26 saves from Joey Daccord on the way to a 5-0 win over host Denmark here tonight in Herning, Denmark, to open play in the 2025 IIHF Men’s World Championship. For the full recap, click HERE.
Throughout the IIHF Men’s World Championship, you’ll have a chance to learn about Team USA players and staff in a feature we’re simply calling, “This or That.” Today, it’s Frank Nazar from the Chicago Blackhawks, who played collegiately at the University of Michigan and is competing in his first IIHF Men’s World Championship.
East Coast or West Coast -> East Coast
Hot Dog or Hamburger -> Hot Dog
Country or Rock -> Rock
Ranch or Blue Cheese -> Neither
Iced Coffee or Hot Coffee -> Don’t drink coffee
Sports Car or Truck -> Sports Car
Soda or Pop -> Pop
Bags or Cornhole -> Cornhole
Jeans or Sweats -> Sweats
Tennis Shoes or Sneakers -> Tennis Shoes
Super Bowl or World Series -> Super Bowl
4th of July or Memorial Day -> 4th of July
Takeout or Dine-in -> Dine-in
Cream Cheese or Butter (on a bagel) -> Butter
Apple Pie or Chocolate Chip Cookies -> Can’t choose, my 2 favorites
Tom Brady or Patrick Mahomes -> Tom Brady
Team USA players and staff had their official tournament headshots taken today prior to practice and the players also had animated player portraits recorded by the host broadcaster for use in-arena, by broadcasters around the world and for social media initiatives. While the animated player portraits are without sound, U.S. defenseman Zeev Buium, the youngest player on Team USA, lit-up his session with a high-pitched sound resembling a pterodactyl while clenching his fists at his side to reflect the celebration of a goal.
Doug Weiss is the team physician for the U.S. Men’s National Team and is a former captain of the Dartmouth College men’s ice hockey team. Weiss played professionally for four seasons following college, including stops with the AHL’s Springfield Indians, IHL’s Indianapolis Ice, ECHL’s Johnstown Chiefs, and the Odense Bulldogs in Denmark.
Team USA is back in Denmark for the second time playing in the world championship. In its first appearance here in 2018, the U.S. earned a bronze medal in the tournament. Denmark is a country of approximately 6 million people and is known for its local way of living called hygge (pronounced “hoo-gah”). Hygge refers to a form of everyday togetherness, coziness, and the ability to recognize and enjoy your presence. LEGO, the world’s most famous brick, was invented in Denmark. In addition, Danes contributed to medical research that led to the discovery of insulin and two Danish brothers built the initial map of Google Maps. Author Hans Christian Andersen is from Odense, Denmark. And finally, fried pork is a national dish of Denmark.
The various series of meetings with head coaches, media managers, team medical leads and general managers took place this evening both in person and virtually to cover final details before the start of the world championship … Team USA will be part of the opening ceremonies here tomorrow in Denmark as it plays the host country in its opening contest of the tournament … A handful of players chatted with media in the “mixed zone” following practice today … Due to the distance from the locker room to the playing surface, goaltenders are transported by golf cart to the ice. It takes approximately two-and-a-half minutes to walk from Team USA’s locker room to the ice.
Throughout the IIHF Men’s World Championship, you’ll have a chance to learn about Team USA players and staff in a feature we’re simply calling, “This or That.”
Today, it’s Alex Vlasic from the Chicago Blackhawks, who played collegiately at Boston University and is competing in his second IIHF Men’s World Championship.
East Coast or West Coast -> East Coast
Hot Dog or Hamburger -> Hamburger
Country or Rock -> Country
Ranch or Blue Cheese -> Ranch
Iced Coffee or Hot Coffee -> Iced Coffee
Sports Car or Truck -> Sports Car
Soda or Pop -> Soda
Bags or Cornhole -> Cornhole (but both)
Taylor Swift or Travis Kelce -> Travis Kelce
Jeans or Sweats -> Sweats
Tennis Shoes or Sneakers -> Sneakers
Super Bowl or World Series -> Super Bowl
4th of July or Memorial Day -> 4th of July
Takeout or Dine-in -> Dine-in
Skiing or Snowboarding -> Skiing
Cream Cheese or Butter (on a bagel) -> Cream Cheese
Apple Pie or Chocolate Chip Cookies -> Chocolate Chip Cookies
Tom Brady or Patrick Mahomes -> Tom Brady
Team USA enjoyed a meal out together this evening, dining at Brdr. Price, a steakhouse in the heart of downtown Herning. The restaurant, which is a French-inspired brasserie, had high ceilings and a cozy environment.
The Herning Golf Club is just more than two kilometers from the team’s headquarters hotel (five-minute drive, 20-minute walk). It includes an 18-hole course and also a nine-hole par three track. A number of players enjoyed the nine-hole course after practice the last couple of days. The weather has been 60 degrees and sunny since Team USA’s arrival on Monday.
“You can be demanding, but not demeaning” … That is guidance from U.S. assistant coach Mike Vellucci to today’s up-and-coming coaches and a principle that has guided him throughout his 30-plus year coaching career. Vellucci had just retired from his playing days and got the opportunity to run the Compuware Arena in Oak Park, Michigan, back in 1994. Shortly into his new job, he was asked about being the Compuware Ambassadors coach in the NAHL. He ran one practice, was hired right after, and thus a coaching career was born. He went on to spend 12 years as head coach and general manager of the Plymouth Whalers. He moved to the NHL in 2014-15 where he served as assistant general manager/director of hockey operations for the Carolina Hurricanes for five campaigns, and during his final season, he was also the head coach of the AHL's Charlotte Checkers. After one season as general manager and head coach of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, Vellucci moved to the Steel City and has been an assistant coach for the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins since 2020-21. “Just be honest with the players,” says Vellucci. “Be a good communicator and always do what’s best for your players and the team.”
Denmark tests its national emergency warning system, including sirens and mobile phone alerts, the first Wednesday of May each year. That happened today as Team USA was boarding its bus to practice. Team USA was once again at the practice rink and spent 55 minutes in preparation for its upcoming world championship opener on Friday against Denmark .. U.S. goaltending coach Thomas Speer shoveled the slot, behind the net and goal crease at both ends of the ice during breaks in practice today and pushed all the ice shavings into the back of the nets. He then expanded his ice maintenance efforts to the other non-neutral zone portions of the ice. Speer is the goaltending coach for the San Jose Sharks … The U.S. roster includes one Olympian in Matty Beniers (2022) and two members of the U.S. men’s entry in the Youth Olympic Games in Cutter Gauthier and Isaac Howard … Competition never ends for Team USA, and that was on full display today after practice in the lounge outside Team USA’s dressing room where players were competing in air hockey and foosball. The competition moved to the golf course and following dinner it was cards.
Throughout the IIHF Men’s World Championship, you’ll have a chance to learn about Team USA players and staff in a feature we’re simply calling, “This or That.” Today, it’s Drew O’Connor from the Vancouver Canucks, who played collegiately at Dartmouth College and is competing in his second IIHF Men’s World Championship.
East Coast or West Coast -> East Coast
Hot Dog or Hamburger -> Hamburger
Country or Rock -> Country
Ranch or Blue Cheese -> Ranch
Iced Coffee or Hot Coffee -> Iced Coffee
Sports Car or Truck -> Sports Car
Soda or Pop -> Soda
Bags or Cornhole -> Cornhole (but both)
Taylor Swift or Travis Kelce -> Travis Kelce
Jeans or Sweats -> Sweats
Tennis Shoes or Sneakers -> Sneakers
Super Bowl or World Series -> Super Bowl
4th of July or Memorial Day -> 4th of July
Takeout or Dine-in -> Dine-in
Skiing or Snowboarding -> Skiing
Cream Cheese or Butter (on a bagel) -> Cream Cheese
Apple Pie or Chocolate Chip Cookies -> Chocolate Chip Cookies
Tom Brady or Patrick Mahomes -> Tom Brady
Team USA had its initial practice here in Herning late this morning at KVIK Hockey Arena, which is the practice arena being used for the tournament. The players got dressed at Jyske Boxen Bank, the main competition rink, and carried skates, sticks and helmets with them on the bus for the 12-minute journey to KVIK. The U.S. had a 50-minute up-tempo skate, including work on special teams. The U.S. Women’s National Team played at KVIK in the 2022 IIHF Women’s World Championship, where it earned a silver medal.
Team USA defenseman Brady Skjei’s wife’s sister is engaged to Carolina Hurricanes netminder Frederik Andersen, who is from Herning. Skjei was with family in Herning last summer to visit Andersen and will be back next summer for the wedding. Skjei has the most NHL experience of any player part of Team USA, having competed in 691 regular-season games over 10 NHL campaigns. He was drafted in the first round of the 2012 NHL Draft by the New York Rangers.
It was a beautiful 60-degree sunny day in Herning today. Some staff opted to enjoy the 35-minute walk from the rink to the hotel after practice, a journey that takes you on a trail through a wooded area of the city … The U.S., Germany and Switzerland are all staying at the same hotel in Herning … Steve Cash will be inducted into the U.S. Olympic/Paralympic Hall of Fame in July it was announced today by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee. Cash, a member of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame, starred on the world stage for the U.S. National Sled Team for 16 years. He is a three-time Paralympic gold medalist and five-time world champion … Jeff Camelio has been the head equipment manager for the NHL’s Seattle Kraken since the team’s inaugural campaign in 2021-22. Previously, he spent 15 seasons as assistant equipment manager under Pete Rogers with the NHL’s Nashville Predators. And for the 2025 IIHF Men’s World Championship, the U.S. has the good fortune of having the duo re-united as the equipment managers of Team USA … Herning is a city of more than 55,000 people and has grown from 44,437 in 2006.
Throughout the IIHF Men’s World Championship, you’ll have a chance to learn about Team USA players and staff in a feature we’re simply calling, “This or That.” Today, it’s Andrew Peeke from the Boston Bruins, who played collegiately at the University of Notre Dame and is playing in his second IIHF Men’s World Championship.
East Coast or West Coast -> East Coast
Hot Dog or Hamburger -> Hamburger
Country or Rock -> Country
Ranch or Blue Cheese -> Ranch
Iced Coffee or Hot Coffee -> Iced Coffee
Sports Car or Truck -> Sports Car
Soda or Pop -> Soda
Bags or Cornhole -> Cornhole
Taylor Swift or Travis Kelce -> Neither
Jeans or Sweats -> Sweats
Tennis Shoes or Sneakers -> Sneakers
Super Bowl or World Series -> Super Bowl
4th of July or Memorial Day -> 4th of July
Takeout or Dine-in -> Dine-in
Skiing or Snowboarding -> Skiing
Cream Cheese or Butter (on a bagel) -> Cream Cheese
Apple Pie or Chocolate Chip Cookies -> Chocolate Chip Cookies
Tom Brady or Patrick Mahomes -> Tom Brady
The activity today centered around moving team operations from Düsseldorf, Germany, to Herning, Denmark, where Team USA will join Denmark, Hungary, Switzerland, Norway, Germany, Kazakhstan and Czechia for preliminary round play in the 2025 IIHF Men’s World Championship. The U.S. and Germany traveled together on a flight from Cologne, Germany, to Billund Airport in Denmark, which is about a 40-minute journey to the Herning city center. A look at Team USA’s schedule today is below.
7:00 a.m. Breakfast
7:30 a.m. Depart via charter bus to Cologne airport
8:50 a.m. Arrive at Cologne airport
10:10 a.m. Flight departs Cologne
11:18 a.m. Land at Billund Airport
12:02 p.m. Depart Billund Airport via coach bus for Herning
12:48 p.m. Arrive at team hotel in Herning
1:00 p.m. Lunch
2:00 p.m. Training staff to rink to set-up lockerroom; back at 5:15 p.m.
6:00 p.m. Dinner
7:30 p.m. Training staff returns to rink to continue set-up
10:00 p.m. Training staff back to hotel
Peewee Willmann, who is Team USA’s massage therapist, is a native of Bavaria and lives in Hannover, Germany. Willmann has been engaged with USA Hockey teams on the international stage since 2002 when he was the massage therapist for the U.S. Men’s Select Team that played in the Deutschland Cup. He has served in a similar capacity for every U.S. Men’s National Team but two since 2009 for the IIHF Men’s World Championship. An osteopath by training, Willman has his own private practice in Hannover. He played and coached professional hockey in Germany and was also the massage therapist for the rock band Depeche Mode for two separate world tours.
Logan Cooley celebrated his 21st birthday yesterday in Dusseldorf … Jeremy Swayman, Mikey Eyssimont and Zeev Buium arrived today in Herning to meet up with Team USA and will be on the ice for practice tomorrow. Later this week, Team USA will also welcome Shane Pinto and Zach Werenski … Among the items available for Team USA’s lunch today — veal, asparagus, chicken wings, potato cakes, various salads and an apple dessert.
Sus Nielsen is the team host for the U.S. and will be with Team USA throughout the tournament to provide any type of assistance needed. She served in a similar capacity for the U.S. Women’s National Team during the 2022 IIHF Women’s World Championship in Herning and was also Team USA’s host for the 2018 IIHF Men’s World Championship in Denmark. Nielsen lives in Copenhagen, Denmark. She has served as the chair of the board of the ice hockey club in Herlev, Denmark, for the last 17 years. The club has 300 players in all, with 250 of them youth players. Nielsen is an avid golfer and is out on the course to play either nine or 18 holes most every morning at 5:30 a.m.
Welcome to the squad, gents!
Full #MensWorlds roster: https://t.co/XAKgzu7qXY pic.twitter.com/T10vo0uZxJ
Throughout the IIHF Men’s World Championship, you’ll have a chance to learn about Team USA players and staff in a feature we’re simply calling, “This or That.”
Today, it’s Logan Cooley from the Utah Hockey Club, who played collegiately at the University of Minnesota and is playing in his first IIHF Men’s World Championship.
East Coast or West Coast -> East Coast
Hot Dog or Hamburger -> Hamburger
Country or Rock -> Country
Ranch or Blue Cheese -> Ranch
Iced Coffee or Hot Coffee -> Iced Coffee
Sports Car or Truck -> Sports Car
Soda or Pop -> Pop
Bags or Cornhole -> Bags
Taylor Swift or Travis Kelce -> Travis Kelce
Jeans or Sweats -> Sweats
Tennis Shoes or Sneakers -> Sneakers
Super Bowl or World Series -> Super Bowl
4th of July or Memorial Day -> 4th of July
Takeout or Dine-in -> Takeout
Skiing or Snowboarding -> Snowboarding
Cream Cheese or Butter (on a bagel) -> Cream Cheese
Apple Pie or Chocolate Chip Cookies -> Chocolate Chip Cookies
Tom Brady or Patrick Mahomes -> Tom Brady
The U.S. Men’s National Team, behind two goals each from Frank Nazar and Tage Thompson, bested Germany, 5-2, in its lone pre-tournament game tonight here in Dusseldorf ahead of the 2025 IIHF Men’s World Championship. For the full recap, click HERE.
Clayton Keller, who serves as captain of the NHL’s Utah Hockey Club, has been named captain of the U.S Men’s National Team for the 2025 IIHF Men’s World Championship. Keller is playing for the U.S. on the world stage for the sixth time, including his third IIHF Men’s World Championship (2017, 2019). He has helped Team USA to three medals, including gold in the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship and bronze (2016) and gold (2015) in the IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championship. Brady Skjei, Tage Thompson and Conor Garland were named alternate captains. Skjei has played for the U.S. five previous times, including twice in the men’s worlds (2017, 2019). He helped the U.S. to a gold medal in the 2012 IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championship. Thompson has played for the U.S. four previous times and has four medals to his credit — two bronze medals in the men’s worlds (2018, 2021) and gold medals in the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship and 2015 IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championship. Garland was part of the 2021 bronze medal-winning U.S. Men’s National Team in the world championship also competed for Team USA in the 2023 men’s worlds.
Lead the way, boys! #MensWorlds pic.twitter.com/u284glDLTt
Throughout the IIHF Men’s World Championship, you’ll have a chance to learn about Team USA players and staff in a feature we’re simply calling, “This or That.”
Today, it’s Mike McCarron from the Nashville Predators who is playing in his first IIHF Men’s World Championship.
East Coast or West Coast -> East Coast
Hot Dog or Hamburger -> Hamburger
Country or Rock -> Country
Ranch or Blue Cheese -> Blue Cheese (crumbles)
Iced Coffee or Hot Coffee -> Iced Coffee
Sports Car or Truck -> Sports Car
Soda or Pop -> Pop
Bags or Cornhole -> Bags
Taylor Swift or Travis Kelce -> Travis Kelce
Jeans or Sweats -> Jeans
Tennis Shoes or Sneakers -> Tennis shoes
Super Bowl or World Series -> Super Bowl
4th of July or Memorial Day -> 4th of July
Takeout or Dine-in -> Dine-in
Skiing or Snowboarding -> Skiing
Cream Cheese or Butter (on a bagel) -> Cream Cheese
Apple Pie or Chocolate Chip Cookies -> Chocolate Chip Cookies
Tom Brady or Patrick Mahomes -> Tom Brady
The U.S. had a 45-minute practice today here in Düsseldorf, Germany, at PSD Bank Dome in preparation for its lone pre-tournament game here tomorrow at 5 p.m. local (11 a.m. ET) vs. Germany. The game can be seen live on USAHockeyTV.com. Team USA head coach Ryan Warsofsky has assistant coach Mike Vellucci leading Team USA’s power play efforts and assistant coach Kevin Dean guiding the U.S. penalty kill.
NEW ARRIVALS
Clayton Keller and Josh Doan arrived today after battling travel delays. The duo landed at the Frankfurt airport this morning just before 8 a.m. and came via van to Düsseldorf (which Keller shared included a driver that put the pedal to the metal). After a brief stop at the hotel, they got to the rink just after 11 a.m. for the team’s 12 noon practice. While Doan is playing in his first IIHF World Championship for the U.S., Keller is back on the world stage for the sixth time. He has played in two IIHF Men’s World Championships (2019- Bratislava/Kosice, Slovakia, 2017-Cologne, Germany) and helped Team USA to a gold medal in the IIHF World Junior Championship in 2017 and medals in both the 2016 (bronze) and 2015 (gold) IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championships.
Preeti V. Shah, who serves as U.S. Consul General Düsseldorf, will join Düsseldorf Mayor Dr. Stephan Keller, for the ceremonial puck drop prior to tomorrow’s USA-Germany game. Shah, who was born in Philadelphia, grew up in the suburbs of Detroit. She joined the Foreign Service in 2004 and has previously served in Nicaragua, Turkey, Afghanistan, Mexico and Indonesia. Tomorrow night’s highly anticipated game is sold out.
Among the conversations at the rink after practice today … are sneakers and tennis shoes synonyms, like soda and pop. The prevailing opinion was no, they are different, and a quick Google search opines that while they are often used interchangeably, tennis shoes and sneakers are indeed different.
Adam Nightingale is serving as an assistant coach for the U.S. Men’s National Team for the second time (2021 was the first) and has been involved with the squad on three previous occasions as the team’s video coach (2017-19). The current head men’s ice hockey coach at Michigan State University, Nightingale was also the head coach of the silver medal-winning 2022 U.S. Under-18 Team Men’s National Team and served as the video coach for the 2015 U.S. National Junior Team. Nightingale also spent two seasons (2020-22) as a head coach at USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program (2020-22) and through his many roles has connection to approximately two-thirds of Team USA’s roster here at the world championship … After a high of 82 in Düsseldorf yesterday, the temperatures fell back to the mid-60s today, which is more normal for this time of year … The U.S. is hosting the 2025 IPC Para Sled Hockey World Championship May 24-31 in Buffalo, N.Y. … Team USA and Team Germany will journey together on Monday from Cologne, Germany, to Herning, Denmark, where both will play in the preliminary round of the 2025 IIHF Men’s World Championship.
Throughout the IIHF Men’s World Championship, you’ll have a chance to learn about Team USA players and staff in a feature we’re simply calling, “This or That.”
Today, it’s Cutter Gauthier from the Anaheim Ducks, who competed collegiately at Boston College and is playing in his second IIHF Men’s World Championship.
East Coast or West Coast -> West Coast
Hot Dog or Hamburger -> Hamburger
Country or Rock -> Country
Ranch or Blue Cheese -> Ranch
Iced Coffee or Hot Coffee -> Iced Coffee (for sure)
Sports Car or Truck -> Sports Car
Soda or Pop -> Soda
Bags or Cornhole -> Bags
Taylor Swift or Travis Kelce -> Travis Kelce
Jeans or Sweats -> Sweats
Tennis Shoes or Sneakers -> Sneakers
Super Bowl or World Series -> Super Bowl
4th of July or Memorial Day -> 4th of July
Takeout or Dine-in -> Dine-in
Skiing or Snowboarding -> Snowboarding
Cream Cheese or Butter (on a bagel) -> Cream Cheese
Apple Pie or Chocolate Chip Cookies -> Chocolate Chip Cookies
Tom Brady or Patrick Mahomes -> Tom Brady
Today, the U.S. Men’s National Team arrived in Düsseldorf, Germany, for a three-day camp ahead of the 2025 IIHF Men’s World Championship, which is set for May 9-25 in Herning, Denmark, and Stockholm, Sweden.
Coming from their home bases around the United States, players and staff arrived in two waves this morning at the international airport in Frankfurt, Germany. They made the two-and-a-half trek via charter bus to the team’s host hotel in the center of the city, which is near the Hofgarten Park and a short distance from the popular Königsallee shopping area here in Düsseldorf.
Team USA had a 45-minute skate at 4 o’clock this afternoon, led by head coach Ryan Warsofsky (head coach of the NHL’s San Jose Sharks) and assistants Mike Vellucci, Kevin Dean, Adam Nightingale and Thomas Speer — with the ultimate goal of getting the legs moving and recovering from what was a lengthy travel journey for all.
Team USA has 19 players here currently in camp, with Josh Doan and Clayton Keller set to arrive tomorrow and additional players coming in on Monday. The group to date includes 10 first-round NHL draft picks and more than 5,000 games of NHL experience. In addition, the U.S. roster includes significant international experience, with all but Doan, Joey Daccord and Mason Lohrei having played in an IIHF world championship at some level.
The challenge on day one is always for everyone to acclimate to the new time zone (Düsseldorf is six hours ahead of ET), which includes avoiding napping and staying up until one’s normal bedtime at home.
Team USA’s practice today was at PSD Bank Dome here in Dusseldorf, which has a capacity of 14,282 for hockey. The U.S. will also practice there tomorrow and take on Germany in its lone pre-tournament game on Sunday at 5 p.m. (11 a.m. ET/watch live on USAHockeyTV.com). The facility opened in September 2006, and Sunday’s contest will be the first international hockey game the venue has hosted. The game has long been sold out. Germany is the host of the 2027 IIHF Men’s World Championship and PSD Bank Dome will be the host of one of the preliminary round groups.
While the U.S. has four bronze medals to its credit in recent times in the IIHF Men’s World Championship (2013, 2015, 2018, 2021), it has won the gold medal just once, that all the way back in 1933 … U.S. netminder Joey Daccord, who is playing in his first-ever Team USA event, speaks German and Swiss-German (and was using it today here in Dusseldorf). His mother, Daniela, grew up in Switzerland and his father, Brian, in Montreal. Joey is a citizen of three countries — the U.S., Switzerland and Canada … Brett Berard, who was previously announced as part of Team USA, is unable to compete … The U.S. Under-18 Men’s National Team plays Sweden in the semifinals of the IIHF U18 Men’s World Championship tonight at 7 p.m. CT in Frisco, Texas, live on NHL Network.
Joey Daccord
Throughout the IIHF Men’s World Championship, you’ll have a chance to learn about Team USA players and staff in a feature we’re simply calling, “This or That.” We start with defenseman Brady Skjei from the Nashville Predators, who competed collegiately at the University of Minnesota and is playing in his fourth IIHF Men’s World Championship.
East Coast or West Coast -> East Coast
Hot Dog or Hamburger -> Hamburger
Country or Rock -> Country
Ranch or Blue Cheese -> Ranch (100%!!)
Iced Coffee or Hot Coffee -> Iced Coffee (all day long)
Sports Car or Truck -> Truck
Soda or Pop -> Soda (used to say pop)
Bags or Cornhole -> Bags (used to say cornhole)
Taylor Swift or Travis Kelce -> Travis Kelce
Jeans or Sweats -> Sweats
Tennis Shoes or Sneakers -> Sneakers (used to say tennis shoes)
Super Bowl or World Series -> Super Bowl
4th of July or Memorial Day -> 4th of July
Takeout or Dine-in -> Dine-in
Skiing or Snowboarding -> Snowboarding
Cream Cheese or Butter (on a bagel) -> Cream Cheese
Apple Pie or Chocolate Chip Cookies -> Chocolate Chip Cookies
Tom Brady or Patrick Mahomes -> Tom Brady
Tag(s): News Men's World Championship Home 2025 Men's Worlds
