2025 IIHF Worlds: Team USA Set to Open Men’s Worlds Against Denmark

The 2025 IIHF Men’s World Championship officially gets underway for Team USA today, May 9, as they take on host nation Denmark at 2:20 PM ET in Herning. This marks the beginning of a high-stakes international run as the Americans aim to claim their first gold medal at the tournament since 1960.

With a roster that blends emerging stars with experienced NHL talent, the United States is poised to be a serious contender in Group B. Team USA has a squad rich in speed, skill, and youth—a group that will be tested immediately by a Danish team eager to impress on home ice.

After seven round-robin games, the top four teams from Group B will advance to the quarterfinals on May 22. For the U.S., early wins are crucial. The opener against Denmark provides an opportunity to establish rhythm and confidence before tougher matchups against teams like Switzerland and Czechia later in the round.

Game Preview

Team USA enters the tournament as a heavy Group B favorite, boasting a high-octane lineup filled with NHL stars like Clayton Keller, Logan Cooley, and Jeremy Swayman. Expect the Americans to push the pace early, using their speed and puck movement to establish offensive zone pressure and generate chances off the rush. With depth across all four lines, special teams could be another area where the U.S. shines.

Denmark, meanwhile, will rely on structure, veteran poise, and home-ice energy. Players like Alexander True and Nicklas Jensen bring size and scoring ability, while goaltender Sebastian Dahm—making his 13th Worlds appearance—will be pivotal in keeping the Danes competitive. Their defensive core, anchored by the Lauridsen brothers and Nicholas B. Jensen, will look to frustrate the U.S. attack and keep the game tight.

This opening matchup will likely showcase Team USA’s skill and tempo against Denmark’s discipline and resilience. If the Danes can weather the early storm and capitalize on limited chances, they have the potential to make things interesting late.

Prediction & Players to Watch

In a projected 5–2 win for Team USA, expect the Americans to showcase their offensive depth and speed against a structured Danish squad. Clayton Keller is poised to lead the charge with a goal and two assists, while Logan Cooley could add two goals of his own, using his speed to break through Denmark’s defensive layers. Matty Beniers and Cutter Gauthier are also strong candidates to get on the scoresheet, with Jeremy Swayman backstopping the effort with a solid performance in net.

For Denmark, Alexander True is expected to be the primary offensive threat, likely to notch a goal and generate several quality chances, while Patrick Russell could also contribute with a timely finish. Goaltender Sebastian Dahm may face heavy pressure but is projected to make over 30 saves to keep Denmark competitive early. Overall, the game is set to highlight the Americans’ tempo and transition game against Denmark’s grit and discipline.

Full Team USA Roster – 2025 IIHF Men’s World Championship

Goaltenders:

• Jeremy Swayman – Boston Bruins
• Joey Daccord – Seattle Kraken
• Hampton Slukynsky – Western Michigan University

Defensemen

• Jackson LaCombe – Anaheim Ducks
• Mason Lohrei – Boston Bruins
• Michael Kesselring – Utah Mammoth
• Andrew Peeke – Boston Bruins
• Zeev Buium – Minnesota Wild
• Alex Vlasic – Chicago Blackhawks
• Brady Skjei – Nashville Predators

Forwards

• Clayton Keller – Utah Mammoth
• Matty Beniers – Seattle Kraken
• Shane Pinto – Ottawa Senators
• Drew O’Connor – Vancouver Canucks
• Cutter Gauthier – Anaheim Ducks
• Isaac Howard – Michigan State University
• Mikey Eyssimont – Seattle Kraken
• Will Smith – San Jose Sharks
• Michael McCarron – Nashville Predators
• Tage Thompson – Buffalo Sabres
• Josh Doan – Utah Mammoth
• Conor Garland – Vancouver Canucks
• Frank Nazar – Chicago Blackhawks
• Logan Cooley – Utah Mammoth

This roster features multiple top-10 NHL Draft picks—including Logan Cooley, Cutter Gauthier, and Will Smith—and showcases the depth of USA Hockey’s development system, with over a dozen players having progressed through the National Team Development Program (NTDP). Built on speed, versatility, and offensive creativity, this group highlights the U.S.’s long-term investment in skill development, especially at center and along the wings.

Team Denmark Roster – 2025 IIHF Men’s World Championship

Goaltenders:

• Sebastian Dahm – KAC Klagenfurt
• Frederik Dichow – HV71

Defensemen:

• Matias Lassen – Malmö Redhawks
• Markus Lauridsen – Löwen Frankfurt
• Oliver Lauridsen – TPS Turku
• Anders Koch – Kiekko-Espoo
• Jesper Jensen Aabo – KAC Klagenfurt
• Phillip Bruggisser – Fischtown Pinguins
• Nicholas B. Jensen – Fischtown Pinguins

Forwards:

• Alexander True – MoDo Hockey
• Oscar Moelgaard – HV71
• Nicklas Jensen – Rapperswil-Jona Lakers
• Mikkel Aagaard – MoDo Hockey
• Morten Poulsen – Herning Blue Fox
• Mathias Bau – Herning Blue Fox
• Patrick Russell – Linköping HC
• Christian Wejse – Fischtown Pinguins
• Nicolai Meyer – Södertälje SK
• Mathias From – KAC Klagenfurt
• Joachim Blichfeld – Rögle BK
• Nick Olesen – HC České Budějovice

Coaching – USA

Team USA’s bench at the 2025 IIHF Men’s World Championship is led by Head Coach Ryan Warsofsky, one of the NHL’s rising coaching minds, known for his modern systems and attention to detail. Supporting him are assistant coaches Kevin Dean, Adam Nightingale, and Mike Vellucci—each bringing a wealth of experience from both the NHL and USA Hockey’s development ranks. Goaltending coach Thomas Speer rounds out a sharp, well-rounded staff tasked with guiding a deep American roster through a competitive Group B slate

Coaching – Denmark

Team Denmark is led by Head Coach Mikael Gath of Sweden, known for his structured defensive systems and experience developing players across Scandinavian leagues. He is supported by assistant coaches Andreas Lilja and Morten Madsen, both of whom bring international playing and coaching insight. Rounding out the staff are goaltending coach Peter Hirsch and video coaches Lasse Thomsen and Felix Gustafsson. With a mix of Danish and Swedish staff members, this group blends regional familiarity with tactical experience as Denmark looks to make an impact on home ice.

What’s Next?

After today’s game versus Denmark, Team USA will continue round-robin play with matchups against Hungary (May 11), Switzerland (May 13), and Norway (May 15), among others. With the top four teams from each group advancing to the quarterfinals, consistency—not just talent—will be the key to a deep run.

Team USA has the pieces to go the distance. Now, it’s about execution. Today’s opener against Denmark will be the first real test of their chemistry, structure, and hunger.

Meanwhile, Denmark returns to action again tomorrow, May 10, for a pivotal early matchup against Switzerland—one of Group B’s strongest teams. With the home crowd behind them, the Danes will be looking to bounce back from their first game today rather quickly and earn critical points in their quest to reach the knockout round.

Schedule

United States (Group B)

• May 9 – vs Denmark
• May 11 – vs Hungary
• May 12 – vs Switzerland
• May 14 – vs Norway
• May 17 – vs Germany
• May 18 – vs Kazakhstan
• May 20 – vs Czechia

Denmark (Group B)

• May 9 – vs USA
• May 10 – vs Switzerland
• May 12 – vs Czechia
• May 14 – vs Kazakhstan
• May 17 – vs Norway
• May 18 – vs Hungary
• May 20 – vs Germany