The countdown to next month’s 4 Nations Face-Off is on! Yesterday afternoon, the captains and alternate captains were officially announced, and this morning, the threads and numbers each player will sport were also revealed.
This thrilling tournament, featuring top NHL players from Canada, Finland, Sweden, and the United States, will take place from February 12-20 in both Montreal and Boston. While some players have been ruled out due to injuries since the rosters were first announced, the latest updates on those players and teams affected are provided.
Team Canada
Captain:
Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins): Crosby Sidney, the captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins, has been a key player this season. Over 53 games, he has recorded 16 goals and 39 assists, totaling 55 points. Crosby has been a cornerstone of Canadian hockey for nearly two decades. With three Stanley Cups and two Olympic gold medals, his experience and leadership are unparalleled. His iconic “Golden Goal” at the 2010 Olympics remains a highlight of his career.
Alternate Captains:
Connor McDavid (Edmonton Oilers), Cale Makar (Colorado Avalanche)
Updated Roster:
Defenseman Alex Pietrangelo (Vegas Golden Knights) – Will Not Play, Replacement Not Yet Named
Team Finland
Captain:
Aleksander Barkov (Florida Panthers): Barkov, a Stanley Cup champion and two-time Selke Trophy winner, is one of the best power forwards in the NHL. His ability to play in all situations and his exceptional vision and playmaking skills make him a natural leader for Team Finland. Barkov, who also captains the Florida Panthers, has been a standout performer this season. Over 42 games, he has accumulated 12 goals and 30 assists, totaling 42 points.
Alternate Captains:
Sebastian Aho (Carolina Hurricanes), Mikael Granlund (San Jose Sharks), Mikko Rantanen (Carolina Hurricanes)
Updated Roster:
Defenseman Miro Heiskanen (Dallas Stars) – Injured, Replacement Not Yet Named
Team Sweden
Captain:
Victor Hedman (Tampa Bay Lightning): Hedman, a key player for the Tampa Bay Lightning, has been instrumental in their success, including multiple Stanley Cup victories. This season, Hedman has played 48 games, scored seven goals, and provided 33 assists, totaling 40 points with a +6 rating. This is the first time Hedman will captain Sweden in international play. He has previously served as an alternate captain for Sweden at the 2024 IIHF World Championships, where they won bronze.
Alternate Captains:
Filip Forsberg (Nashville Predators), William Nylander (Toronto Maple Leafs), Mika Zibanejad (New York Rangers)
Updated Roster:
Goaltender Samuel Ersson (Philadelphia Flyers) – Ersson replaces injured Jacob Markstrom (New Jersey Devils). This season, Ersson has played eight games, with a record of 15 wins, nine losses, and two overtime losses. He has faced 661 shots, with a goals-against average (GAA) of 2.86 and a save percentage of .890.
Team USA
Captain:
Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs) Matthews is known for his exceptional scoring ability and leadership on and off the ice. As the captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs, he has demonstrated his capability to lead a team through challenging situations and inspire his teammates.
Alternate Captains:
Matthew Tkachuk (Florida Panthers), Charlie McAvoy (Boston Bruins)
Matthews, Tkachuk, and McAvoy are well-acquainted with international competition. This trio has joined forces on two occasions for Team USA, playing key roles in securing a gold medal at the 2015 IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championship and a bronze medal at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship.
Team Sweaters
This morning, the sweaters that each team will wear throughout the 4 Nations Face-Off were unveiled. These sweaters feature distinctive designs that reflect each country’s national pride and cultural identity. Team USA’s sweater is navy blue with red and white stripes, inspired by the American flag. Team Canada’s sweater is red with white accents, featuring a 13-point maple leaf and debossed maple leaf vines. Team Finland’s sweater is white, symbolizing the country’s winter landscape, with a split-colored wordmark and a contemporary national coat of arms. Team Sweden’s sweater showcases the iconic yellow and blue colors, with a modern redesign of the “Tre Kronor” and subtle flag-inspired stripes on the sleeves.
The NHL also announced the numbers each player will wear throughout the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament. Notably, a few players will be sporting different numbers than they do with their current NHL teams.
Tournament
The 4 Nations Face-Off tournament will take place from February 12 to February 20, 2025, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and Boston, Massachusetts, USA and it will feature a round-robin format, with the top two teams advancing to the championship game.
Dates and Matchups:
Montreal, QC | Bell Centre
- Wednesday, Feb. 12, 8 PM ET: Canada vs. Sweden
- Thursday, Feb. 13, 8 PM ET: USA vs. Finland
- Saturday, Feb. 15, 1 PM ET: Finland vs. Sweden
- Saturday, Feb. 15, 8 PM ET: USA vs. Canada
Boston, MA | TD Garden
- Monday, Feb. 17, 1 PM ET: Canada vs. Finland
- Monday, Feb. 17, 8 PM ET: Sweden vs. USA
- Thursday, Feb. 20, 8 PM ET: Championship Game
Only 11 days left until the 4 Nations Face-Off kicks off on February 12, 2025! Which team are you most excited to watch? Who do you think will take home the trophy?
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