The USA will defend its men's hockey world championship title with a significantly different team, featuring only two returning players. Matthew Tkachuk, a two-time Stanley Cup winner, is the notable exception on the roster.
Key points
USA defends men's hockey world championship title
Only two players return from last year's team
Matthew Tkachuk is a key player on the roster
USA won gold for the first time since 1933
Team is less star-studded than the previous year
Mentioned in this story
International Ice Hockey Federation
Team USAMatthew Tkachukmen's hockey world championships
USA to defend world championships gold medal with vastly different team
The United States will enter this year's men's hockey world championships in an unusual position: defending champion.
Team USA won a gold medal at the International Ice Hockey Federation tournament last spring for the first time since 1933.
This year's team has only two returnees and will be less star-studded than the 2025 one The big exception is Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk, a two-time Stanley Cup winner and U.S. Olympian.
Some of the players from last year aren't available because they were or are in the playoffs, such as Tage Thompson, Clayton Keller, Jackson Lacombe, Cutter Gauthier and Jeremy Swayman. Plus, there's no Olympics as an incentive to suit up.
Here is the Team USA roster and some takeaways:
The NHL is announcing the finalists for the Hart Trophy and the other major awards. Here's who is in the running (listed alphabetically):
Q&A
Who are the returning players on Team USA for the men's hockey world championships?
Team USA has only two returning players from the previous championship team.
What notable player is on the USA men's hockey team for the world championships?
Matthew Tkachuk, a two-time Stanley Cup winner and U.S. Olympian, is the standout player on the roster.
When did Team USA last win the men's hockey world championship gold medal?
Team USA won the gold medal at the men's hockey world championships for the first time since 1933 last spring.
How does this year's USA men's hockey team compare to the last championship team?
This year's team is less star-studded and has only two players returning from the previous championship-winning squad.
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Howard and Lohrei are the only returnees from last year.
Leonard and Hagens made up two-thirds of the top line for the gold medal-winning USA team at the 2025 world junior championships. The third linemate, Gabriel Perreault isn't at this tournament.
Howard and Plante are the last two winners of the Hobey Baker Award.
When and where are the world championshps?
The tournament will be held from May 15 to 31 in Fribourg and Zurich, Switzerland.
