The United States heads to Trenčín, Slovakia, for the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup with a roster built to win — speed on the wings, size down the middle, and poise on the blue line. Backed by a staff that knows how to prepare for high-stakes games, this team has every reason to believe they can bring home gold.
This isn’t just a group of individuals; it’s a squad forged in past victories. Eleven players return from last year’s U17 Five Nations championship team, while others arrive with CHL and NCAA experience. Together, they have the right chemistry and talent to make a deep run.
Championship Experience and Chemistry
Eleven players return from last year’s U17 Five Nations championship squad, bringing valuable chemistry and experience against top international competition. Adding to that, several newcomers arrive with CHL and NCAA backgrounds, giving the roster a deeper pool of skills and styles. That mix of familiarity and fresh energy could be exactly what this team needs to handle the intensity of a short, high-pressure tournament.
Leadership Core
When setting the tone, Team USA has a leadership group that stands out. Captain Luke Puchner, a University of Minnesota Duluth commit from Shattuck-St. Mary’s Prep provides steady two-way play down the middle and leads by example in every zone. Alternate captain Shaeffer Gordon-Carroll brings WHL championship pedigree and relentless forechecking, while fellow alternate Kalder Varga delivers a dependable all-situations game that coaches can trust in any moment. Together, this trio ensures that Team USA plays with focus, discipline, and urgency from puck drop to final horn.
Captain: Luke Puchner brings stability and smart two-way play to the forecheck with ease. As a Minnesota Duluth commit, he is a refined pivot who anchored Team USA’s offense in key situations. At Shattuck-St. Mary’s Prep last season, he put up an impressive 26 goals and 35 assists over 79 games, showcasing both offensive skill and consistency under pressure. His balanced game helps set the tone for Team USA from puck drop to final buzzer.
Alternate Captain: Shaeffer Gordon-Carroll mixes relentless energy with a championship pedigree. A WHL champion with the Medicine Hat Tigers, Gordon-Carroll dominated the ice with grit and depth. His value came through his adaptability and heavy minutes in big games. Veteran U17 coach narratives emphasize his role in leading all U.S. forwards in ice time during the U17 Five Nations, helping the U.S. capture gold.
Alternate Captain: Kalder Varga emerged as the offensive engine for Team USA at the 2024 U17 Five Nations, leading the team with eight points (3G, 5A) in just four games. In 58 regular-season games for the Kelowna Rockets in 2024–25, he added 10 goals and 14 assists, demonstrating consistency and a high tempo through transition. His ability to produce results in crucial moments gives the U.S. a reliable go-to option in any situation.
Players to Watch
Jack Hextall
Jack Hextall enters the 2025 Hlinka Gretzky Cup with an international résumé that already speaks for itself. A Michigan State commit and playmaking engine for the USHL’s Youngstown Phantoms, Hextall helped lead Team USA to gold at both the 2024 World Junior A Challenge and the U17 Five Nations, recording six points across eight games. Last season, he produced 34 points in 53 USHL games and added valuable playoff experience. Known for his quick-strike passing, elite vision, and ability to swing momentum in a single shift, Hextall is the type of player who can turn a close game in Team USA’s favor at any moment.
Brooks Rogowski
Lining up alongside him is Brooks Rogowski, who makes his international debut after skating in two USA Hockey National Player Development Camps. The 6’6”, 228-pound Oshawa Generals forward brings a net-front presence that is nearly impossible to move, pairing his size with a proven scoring touch. In the 2024–25 OHL season, Rogowski posted 11 goals and 12 assists in 66 regular-season games, then added six points in 19 playoff contests. Before that, he starred at Detroit Catholic Central, racking up 43 points in 66 games during the 2023–24 season, and excelled in AAA hockey with both MDHL 16U and Little Caesars 14U. With his combination of strength, finishing ability, and playoff-tested composure, Rogowski is poised to be a difference-maker in Brno and Trenčín.
Experienced Coaching Staff
Guiding this roster is a coaching staff with the experience to navigate tournament pressure. Head coach Kevin Porter — a former Hobey Baker winner and NHL forward — leads the charge, bringing a wealth of player development knowledge. Associate coach Ben Syer adds years of NCAA tactical expertise, while assistants Cody Chupp and Joe Howe contribute their strengths from the USHL and goaltending development, respectively. General manager Rod Braceful, along with player personnel leaders Marc Boxer and Tony Gasparini, worked to assemble a roster that blends balance, skill, and grit.
Full Roster
Forwards: Noah Davidson, Nolan Duskocy, Brody Gillespie, Shaeffer Gordon-Carroll (A), Caden Harvey, Jack Hextall, Nikita Klepov, Luke Puchner (C), Brooks Rogowski, Joseph Salandra, Kalder Varga (A), Jaxon Williams, Blake Zielinski.
Defensemen: Nathan Bienstock, Nick Bogas, Levi Harper, Will McLaughlin, Kade Meyer, Zaide Penner, Alofa Tunoa Ta’amu.
Goaltenders: Aidan Hesse, Brady Knowling, Kaenan Smith.
Why You Should Watch
The Hlinka Gretzky Cup offers one of the most exciting looks at the next generation of hockey talent. For Team USA, it’s an opportunity to prove their speed, skill, and grit against the best U18 players in the world. With a roster full of proven leaders and players who thrive in high-pressure moments, fans can expect fast-paced, physical games from start to finish.
Hlinka Gretzky Opening Game: Monday, August 11 vs. Slovakia – 1 p.m. ET (NHL Network)
Source: USA Hockey. (2024, August 2). 2025 U.S. Under-18 Men’s Select Team roster named for Hlinka Gretzky Cup. Team USA.
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