Shortly after the United States team was defeated by Canada in overtime at the 4 Nations Face-Off championship, Dylan Larkin, captain of the Detroit Red Wings, discussed the progress of American hockey and future goals.
Larkin, who has played in the World Championships five times, believes that watching events like the 4 Nations Face-Off could inspire more American players to want to compete for their country at the World Championships. He emphasized the need for top players to participate in this tournament to prove themselves and help the USA team achieve victory, similar to the commitment seen from Canadian players.
Larkin`s comments have initiated a conversation about a major obstacle for USA Hockey as it aims to become a leading force in men`s international hockey. Achieving this goal requires a deeper commitment beyond high-profile events such as the 4 Nations Face-Off and the Olympics. A crucial aspect is changing how players perceive participation in the IIHF World Championships.
USA Hockey`s leadership is aware of Larkin`s statement, and NHL players have also taken note. However, there is still a significant challenge in convincing more top-tier NHL players to commit to the World Championships. While this year`s tournament is seen by some as an opportunity to impress for Olympic team selection, there`s a sentiment that playing for Team USA should be motivated by more than just Olympic consideration.
Bill Guerin, general manager of the Minnesota Wild and also the GM for Team USA at the 4 Nations Face-Off and the upcoming 2026 Olympics, stated the need to rebuild a culture where the World Championship is seen as a priority. He criticized the common excuses for declining participation as inadequate and stressed the importance of attracting top players to improve the team`s chances of winning more consistently.
The Evolution of American Hockey and International Tournaments
The landscape of American hockey has significantly changed since the times when Guerin and John Vanbiesbrouck, now with USA Hockey, played in the NHL.
Both were not yet born when the U.S. achieved its second World Championship and first Olympic gold in 1960. Guerin was a child and Vanbiesbrouck a teenager during the `Miracle On Ice` in 1980, when the amateur U.S. team famously defeated the Soviet Union to win Olympic gold.
Initially, the World Championships were for amateurs only, but professionals were allowed starting in 1977, following the introduction of the Canada Cup, a tournament featuring professional players held several times between 1976 and 1991.
The Canada Cup was later replaced by the World Cup of Hockey in 1996, and in 1998, the NHL began allowing its players to participate in the Olympics.
This shift provided opportunities for players like Guerin and Vanbiesbrouck to represent the U.S. in major international competitions throughout their careers and changed how national teams were formed.
Vanbiesbrouck participated in four World Championships and two Canada Cups, even being on both rosters in 1991. That year, the World Championship team had many young players, while the Canada Cup team was more veteran.
Guerin, though never playing in the World Championships, represented the U.S. at three Olympics and two World Cups, including winning gold at the 1996 World Cup and silver at the 2002 Olympics. The average age of Team USA when Guerin played was around 30.
Vanbiesbrouck emphasized the increased expectations for American players wearing the national jersey, highlighting national pride and respect for those who played before them.
A key development in raising standards was the creation of the United States National Team Development Program (NTDP) in 1996, which became vital for nurturing young hockey talent.
Before the NTDP, the U.S. had limited success at the IIHF U20 World Junior Championships. Since its inception, the NTDP has been crucial in establishing the U.S. as a dominant force, with multiple gold medals since 2010, including recent consecutive wins.
The success of the NTDP, producing numerous NHL draft picks and World Junior champions, led to the expectation that USA Hockey should easily attract players for national duty. This was evident after the 4 Nations Face-Off, contributing to the U.S. being considered a top contender for the 2026 Olympic gold.
Zach Werenski, a defenseman for the Columbus Blue Jackets and Team USA, noted the strong team unity at the 4 Nations Face-Off, attributing it to USA Hockey`s developmental programs and the expectation to compete for gold medals.
Players like Larkin and Werenski have had fewer international tournament opportunities compared to previous generations, with NHL players missing Olympics in 2018 and 2022 and limited World Cups. This makes the World Championships the most consistent international competition available. However, despite growing interest in international hockey, a disconnect remains regarding U.S. players` participation in the World Championships.
The timing of the World Championships in May, overlapping with the NHL playoffs, is a significant factor, limiting the player pool to those whose NHL teams are not in the playoffs or were early exits.
Vanbiesbrouck points out that players often seek rest after the NHL season and the commitment required for the World Championships, along with family considerations and the need for injury recovery, are major deterrents.
Perceptions of the World Championship: A Contrast
The differing views on the World Championships between the U.S. and other hockey-strong nations are highlighted by Winnipeg Jets players Connor Hellebuyck (American) and Nikolaj Ehlers (Danish).
Hellebuyck, who grew up near Detroit, associated May with the Stanley Cup playoffs. He viewed the World Championships as an event more for young players gaining experience rather than established veterans, unless they sought travel or extra hockey.
In contrast, in Europe, the World Championships are a major event. Denmark, Ehlers` home country, with fewer hockey resources than the U.S., successfully hosted the tournament, drawing significant attendance.
The World Championships are a key event in the European sports calendar, particularly in countries like Czechia, Finland, Germany, Sweden, and Switzerland. The tournament has seen record attendance in recent years in Europe, while North America has rarely hosted it.
The U.S. last hosted the tournament in 1962, and Canada only once in 2008. Vanbiesbrouck mentioned that hosting the event in the U.S. hasn`t been a priority but expressed interest in challenging this status quo.
Ehlers noted the high regard for the World Championships in Europe, where fans travel to support their nations. For countries like Denmark, it`s an opportunity to prove their place in international hockey despite being smaller hockey nations.
Guerin emphasized the need for the World Championships to become more important for American players, mirroring its significance for other hockey nations.
Possible Solutions for USA Hockey
To increase NHL player participation in the World Championships, USA Hockey has initiated programs to support players bringing family members to Europe. This was inspired by Hockey Canada`s approach to creating a family-friendly environment, as noted by coach Andre Tourigny.
Guerin acknowledged USA Hockey`s efforts to improve the player experience at the tournament, hoping this will encourage more players to recognize the importance of representing their country.
Matt Boldy of the Wild mentioned that USA Hockey is effectively communicating the significance of the World Championships, using it in team selection processes. Boldy sees the tournament as a chance to demonstrate his abilities in international play and learn from veteran players, which also enhances team dynamics for events like the 4 Nations Face-Off.
Boldy believes that increased participation in the World Championships can foster team cohesion and improve performance in major international tournaments, as every nation, including the U.S., aims to win.
Guerin and Vanbiesbrouck noted interest from players` agents in Olympic participation, suggesting the 4 Nations Face-Off and upcoming Olympics are making players realize the importance of international play. Guerin stressed that consistent participation in events like the World Championships is crucial for Olympic consideration and overall team success.
Ultimately, Guerin reiterated that winning the World Championship is a primary goal for USA Hockey and requires greater commitment from top American players.
