We start playing in Friday vs. Denmark in Mens Worlds

Brady Skjei's Favorite film that grew up in Minnesota was 'Miracle', which told the unlikely Mars of the men's hockey team of 1980 about the Olympic gold medal.

Now the defender of the Nashville Predators is ready to represent the red, white and blue itself.

Skjei is the oldest member of the American team who will participate in the IIHF Men's world championship 2025, on 9-25 May in Herning, Denmark and Stockholm, Sweden.

“It is clear that it is a huge honor,” he said. “I always look forward to the times that I can throw the sweater and play with the team.”

The Americans have not won gold since 1933, but have been in the middle of the competition over the past decade and secured in 2021, 2018, 2015 and 2013.

It is also a turning point for Ryan WarsofskyHead coach of the US National Team, who will lead a team for the first time at an international tournament.

“First and foremost it is the American hockey logo,” said the 37-year-old head coach. “Representing your country is the ultimate honor. It is very humiliating. I have many people a lot of gratitude to do this.”

Team USA is starting to play on Friday (May 9) in the world championship against host Denmark in a group B provisional-round game at Jyske Bank Boxen in Herning.

The provisional round will take place for the US with matches against Hungary, Switzerland, Norway, Germany, Kazakhstan and the Czech Republic. All tournament games are broadcast live on NHL Network.

Skjei said that the biggest differences in the international game versus the NHL version are 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 that the European teams play a different style. They want to slow you down in the neutral zone. The North American style is to get into teams and be aggressive and play a 200-foot game.”

Of course there are differences, but Warsofsky has a lot of talent in his team to overcome them.

Take the goal position. Jeremy Swayman Van de Boston Bruins was 4 nations in the face-off team of the US 2025 Joey Dacord Of the Seattle Kraken, 27-23-5 went with a 2.75 goals against average in 2024-25.

“We love our goal congregation,” said Warsofsky. “The consistency is the goal.”

The lines of the team still come together, but expect to see a lot ahead Take Thompson (Buffalo Sabres) and Clayton Keller (Utah Hockey Club). Thompson scored 44 goals for the Sabres in 2024-25, in third place in the NHL, while Keller inchipped for Utah in 30.

Those are two of the biggest stars of the team, but there are also boys who may not be in the international spotlights who can take a big step on this tournament at the moment.

Warsofsky thinks defenders Jackson Lacombe (Anaheim ducks) and Alex Vlasic (Chicago Blackhawks) fall in that category.

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

In the meantime, Warsofky said that Lacombe “will be a special player in the NHL for years.”

The competition abroad will be fierce for the US

The Czech Republic defeated Switzerland for the gold medal of 2024 and both teams are in group B with the Americans.

“We can't take a team lightly,” said Warsofsky. “This is a game of hockey. It will be a play-off of one game, and if you sleep, the tournament is over. We must ensure that we are prepared and are laser-oriented. There are many dangerous teams there are.”

That is why the management of every aspect of experience is the key. Warsofsky, for example, has a lot of data that will determine factors such as workload, sleep and travel.

Then there is the challenge to manage the expectations of every player on the Roster, who are almost all used to playing considerable minutes in their respective NHL teams.

How will Warsofsky manage that?

“If you look at these tournaments and the Olympic Games and the 4 countries and for everyone who wants to win, you have to check your ego at the door,” said Warsofsky. “It can be different from your role in the NHL. Our number 1 goal is to win a gold medal.”

Story Red Line Editorial, Inc.