Tip: Your guide to the 2025 Ice Hockey World Championship!

The 2025 Ice Hockey World Championship in Stockholm and Herning will be an epic showdown where the world’s top ice hockey nations clash! For the first time in years, there will also be plenty of NHL players participating in the tournament. Expect world-class hockey!

The top four teams in each group advance to the quarterfinals (May 22), with two played in Stockholm and two in Herning. The semifinals (May 24), bronze medal game, and final (May 25) will be held in Stockholm.

Group A

Group A in the 2025 tournament consists of Sweden, Canada, Finland, Slovakia, Latvia, France, Austria, and Slovenia.

1. Canada

Canada has announced that the roster will be bolstered by Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon, two players who hardly need an introduction. Crosby, a living legend, showed in the 4-Nations Face-Off that at 37, he remains one of the world’s best hockey players. MacKinnon, considered by many to be the primary challenger to Connor McDavid for the title of the world’s best, makes Canada even more formidable. Only Nikita Kucherov scored more points in the NHL regular season this year.

Beyond these superstars, Canada boasts a mix of experienced and talented forwards. Macklin Celebrini, the first overall draft pick, broke out with 63 points in 70 games for the San Jose Sharks. The Maple Leafs also have seasoned goal-scorers like Bo Horvat, Ryan O’Reilly, and Travis Konecny in the lineup—players who would be major assets for any other nation. A personal favorite is Kent Johnson, who exploded with the Columbus Blue Jackets, scoring 24 goals and 33 assists in 68 games, cementing himself as a future star.

On defense, Canada is equally impressive. Noah Dobson is the top defenseman for the New York Islanders. Brandon Montour from the Seattle Kraken brings plenty of offensive skill from the blue line. Travis Sanheim, also a 4-Nations participant, can log 30 minutes per game, and MacKenzie Weegar from the Calgary Flames excels at moving the puck. Dylan Garand, who has made an impact with the New York Rangers’ AHL affiliate Hartford Wolf Pack, will join goalkeeping legend Marc-André Fleury. This will be Fleury’s first World Championship, having already won the Stanley Cup and an Olympic gold medal.

Given Canada’s depth of NHL stars, further reinforcements wouldn’t be surprising. For instance, Jordan Binnington, who led Canada to victory in the 4-Nations, could join now that the St. Louis Blues are out of the playoffs. St. Louis Blues defenseman Colton Parayko is also a potential addition. Regardless of further reinforcements, Canada will be the team to beat!

2. Sweden

Since their gold in 2018, Tre Kronor has struggled in championships, with recurring quarterfinal exits as a heavy trend. They did secure a bronze in the Czech Republic last year, but gold is the ultimate goal. Sam Hallam now has the chance to turn things around with a star-studded roster for the home World Championship. Sweden fields top-class goal-scorers like Filip Forsberg and Mika Zibanejad, young talents like Lucas Raymond and Leo Carlsson, and experienced names like Mikael Backlund, Elias Lindholm, and Adam Larsson. While some players didn’t reach peak form in the NHL this season, the squad’s quality is undeniable.

In goal, Sweden is strong with Jacob Markström, a world-class keeper at his best, and Samuel Ersson as a reliable backup. The defensive lineup, featuring Rasmus Andersson, Adam Larsson, Marcus Pettersson, and Simon Edvinsson, is solid but lacks the offensive edge that could elevate the team further. The forward group, however, is one of the tournament’s most formidable, blending explosiveness and experience.

There’s potential for additional NHL reinforcements. Jesper Bratt hasn’t ruled out joining, and Gabriel Landeskog, who made a sensational comeback after three years out, remains a possibility. Meanwhile, several big names have fallen away: Joel Eriksson Ek and Victor Hedman are injured, Erik Karlsson, Adrian Kempe, and Elias Pettersson have declined, and Rickard Rakell is prioritizing family after becoming a father. Rasmus Dahlin’s status is unclear, but his injury history makes participation unlikely.

Despite the absences, Tre Kronor has a competitive squad with a strong chance of going far. Had it not been for Canada’s reinforcements in Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon, Sweden would have been the favorites on home ice. Now, an overperformance is needed to challenge a powerhouse Canadian team for gold.

3. Finland

After two consecutive quarterfinal exits at the World Championship, Finland aims to reclaim a top position in Stockholm. Under new head coach Antti Pennanen, a competitive roster has been selected, blending NHL players, SHL players, and reinforcements from the Swiss league, ready to challenge for medals.

In goal, Juuse Saros is Finland’s key player. Despite an inconsistent NHL season where he temporarily lost the starting role, Saros is a world-class goalkeepper and critical to success. Among the skaters, Teuvo Teräväinen and Eeli Tolvanen are the offensive spearheads. Teräväinen, playing his first World Championship in seven years, recorded 58 points with the Chicago Blackhawks, while Tolvanen contributed 35 points for the Seattle Kraken. Together, they can threaten most defenses. Another standout is Waltteri Merelä, the 26-year-old coming off a career-best season with 47 points in 52 games for SC Bern.

The defensive lineup is solid but lacks big-name stars. Nikolas Matinpalo, with experience from the 4-Nations Face-Off, is a reliable piece. Robin Salo, who impressed with Malmö Redhawks, and Mikko Lehtonen, highly regarded with ZSC Lions, will be key pillars. Eight SHL players add depth and character, but with only six NHL players, Finland’s strength lies in teamwork rather than individual brilliance.

Late NHL reinforcements are possible, but stars like Sebastian Aho, Miro Heiskanen, and Mikko Rantanen are tied up in the NHL playoffs’ second round. Should the Carolina Hurricanes or Dallas Stars exit early, big names could join. Even without these superstars, Finland has a hungry squad with youthful energy and experience. If Saros finds top form and Teräväinen and Tolvanen deliver offensively, the Lions can break their quarterfinal curse and aim for medals.

4. Slovakia

Slovakia enters the 2025 World Championship with a young and hungry roster, but without the star power of past tournaments. After years of quarterfinal dreams and “postupová matematika”—the Slovakian folklore of calculating playoff chances—the team faces a tough challenge in Stockholm. Coach Vladimír Országh, temporarily replacing Craig Ramsay due to health issues, has assembled a squad lacking many expected NHL names but featuring promising talents like Dalibor Dvorský and Samuel Honzek.

In goal, Samuel Hlavaj and Adam Húska form a fairly stable duo, with Hlavaj expected to take the starting role. The defensive lineup, with names like Patrik Koch and Mário Grman, is defensively reliable but lacks the offensive dynamism to challenge top nations. The forward group, led primarily by young AHL players like Dvorský and Honzek, has potential to surprise, but a lack of experience could be a weakness.

The roster selection has been marked by significant absences. Nearly all NHL players have declined or been sidelined by injuries, including Juraj Slafkovský, Martin Fehérváry, Šimon Nemec, and Erik Černák. Tomáš Tatar and Peter Cehlárik are absent for personal reasons, while Marek Hrivík and others are injured. Players from the Czech Extraliga and KHL are also missing. With an average age of 25.4, this is one of Slovakia’s youngest World Championship rosters ever, only slightly older than the 2022 team. Compared to the 2017 debacle, when a lack of NHL players led to a 14th-place finish and a fight to avoid relegation, expectations are cautiously optimistic. However, it’s clear that Slovakia fields a weaker team than usual, and a quarterfinal spot is far from guaranteed.

5. Latvia

Latvia enters the 2025 World Championship in Stockholm with a roster blending experienced names and young talents, but without the broad NHL presence seen in some past tournaments. After their bronze medal success in 2023, expectations have risen, and coach Harijs Vītoliņš aims to build on the team’s growing reputation as a dark horse. The team showed strength in preparations, defeating Finland and Switzerland in exhibition games.

Goalkeeping star Elvis Merzļikins (Columbus Blue Jackets) will miss the tournament due to family reasons. However, with Kristers Gudļevskis available, there’s ample experience from European leagues. The defensive lineup, featuring Kristaps Zīle, Jānis Jaks, and Kristiāns Rubīns, offers a good balance of defensive stability and puck-moving ability, though it lacks the elite edge of top nations.

The forward group is the team’s strength, led by Kaspars Daugaviņš and complemented by fast and dangerous players like Rihards Bukarts, Mārtiņš Dzierkals, and young Gļebs Prohorenkovs. NCAA talents like Fēlikss Gavars and Rainers Rullers add energy and future promise. Latvia also expects to have Rudolfs Balcers, a former NHL player who will be a key offensive cog, especially with several big names likely absent. The roster lacks significant NHL experience otherwise. Zemgus Girgensons has withdrawn, and Teodors Bļugers appears to be staying in North America after an intense season with the Vancouver Canucks. Rodrigo Abols is still playing in the AHL playoffs with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Late reinforcements are possible, but the roster seems largely set.

6. Austria

Austria enters the 2025 World Championship in Stockholm with the goal of securing their place in the top division. Under head coach Roger Bader, the team has a young and hungry roster with a few standout players, including an NHL name familiar to most Detroit Red Wings fans.

In goal, Atte Tolvanen and David Kickert, both from EC Red Bull Salzburg, provide stability, backed by KAC’s Florian Vorauer. All three goalkeepers play in the domestic ICEHL. The defensive lineup, led by veteran Dominique Heinrich and KAC’s Clemens Unterweger, is reliable. Bernd Wolf from Swiss EHC Kloten adds physicality and experience. Rögle’s young talent, 18-year-old Gregor Biber, will also don the Austrian jersey.

Up front, Marco Kasper of the Detroit Red Wings is Austria’s big hope. With 37 points (19 goals, 18 assists) in his first full NHL season, the 21-year-old has established himself as a top-six forward, bringing creativity and energy. He’s joined by veteran Thomas Raffl, captain of EC Red Bull Salzburg, and Vinzenz Rohrer, coming off a strong season with ZSC Lions.

Austria would have loved to have Marco Rossi, who was eliminated with the Minnesota Wild in the NHL playoffs’ first round, but contract negotiations are likely keeping him in North America. The roster’s core, intact for years, offers stability and clear roles. Austria showed at the last World Championship that they can surprise, notably stunning Finland with a group-stage win. Few have forgotten their wild game against Canada, which ended 6-6 after regulation. Austria, listed at 56-to-1 odds before the match, staged a historic comeback from a 6-1 deficit to tie the game in the third period—perhaps the greatest upset in hockey history.

7. France

After a tough preparation period with five losses in six games, France faces a challenging World Championship. Their goal is to avoid relegation from the top division, especially with France set to host the 2028 World Championship in Paris and Lyon, making it critical to stay in the elite tier.

In goal, Quentin Papillon and Julian Junca, both tested in preparations, provide a foundation. Papillon, a steady Ligue Magnus goalkeepr, is the first choice. The duo offers a solid base but must elevate their game against the world’s best, as shown by an 8-1 loss to Slovakia just days ago. Defensemen Hugo Gallet and Enzo Guebey bring physicality and aim to lead the backline.

Up front, captain Pierre-Édouard Bellemare, an NHL veteran from the Tampa Bay Lightning, is the team’s heart. His leadership and two-way play are invaluable for keeping the squad together. Fabien Colotti, who scored against Slovakia, has a nose for goals, and his counterattacks could be key. Kevin Bozon, Dylan Fabre, and Jordann Perret will aim to support Bellemare in driving the offense.

After a weak preparation, highlighted by the 8-1 loss to Slovakia, France must step up. In Group A, against giants like Canada, Sweden, and Finland, France is all but outmatched. To secure their top-division status, Papillon needs to stand on his head, and Bellemare must deliver against teams like Latvia, Austria, and Slovenia. But how much can be expected from the now 40-year-old Pierre-Édouard Bellemare?

8. Slovenia

After leaving the 2023 World Championship without a point, Slovenia is determined to avoid another debacle in Stockholm 2025. Under head coach Edo Terglav, a spirited 25-player roster has been formed, blending seasoned veterans with bold young talents. A silver medal in Division I-A 2024 in Italy paved the way for a long-awaited return to the elite division, and Slovenia is now ready to fight to stay.

In goal, Lukaš Horak, born in the Czech Republic but with Slovenian citizenship, stole the show with 34 saves in a warm-up against Denmark. He’s joined by Gašper Krošelj, a newly crowned Czech champion. The defense, led by veterans Blaž Gregorc and Matic Podlipnik, stands firm with experience. Young stars like Urban Podrekar and Jan Ćosić are expected to add energy and speed where possible.

Up front, captain Robert Sabolič, a rock for Olimpija Ljubljana, is the team’s backbone. Matic Török, with a strong shot, can contribute in power play, and Rok Macuh comes off a solid season in the Czech Republic. However, the depth is undeniably thin. Late reinforcements are unlikely, as Slovenian NHL stars are few. The team’s strength lies in chemistry and a desire to exceed expectations. In Group A, against giants like Canada, Sweden, and Finland, Slovenia is a David against Goliath. Their survival will hinge on games against Austria and France. The sense is that Slovenia may be too lightweight. Had Los Angeles Kings star Anže Kopitar joined, their chances would have drastically improved.

Group B

Group B in the 2025 tournament consists of the USA, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Germany, Denmark, Norway, Kazakhstan, and Hungary.

1. USA

After missing medals in recent top-division tournaments, the USA aims to reclaim the throne at the 2025 World Championship in Sweden and Denmark. Under head coach Ryan Warsofsky, a dynamic 25-player roster blends NHL stars with promising prospects. With offensive firepower and a strong goalkeeping duo, the USA is ready to compete in Group B in Herning.

In goal, Joey Daccord and Jeremy Swayman form one of the tournament’s most reliable pairs. Daccord shone for the Seattle Kraken last season with impressive underlying stats. Swayman, one of the world’s highest-paid goalkeepers, didn’t have a stellar season but has a high baseline and is among the tournament’s best.

The defense, led by Brady Skjei, offers stability with his experience and two-way play for the Nashville Predators. Cole Hutson, an 18-year-old gem from Boston University, brings offensive flair, showcased by dominating the World Juniors’ points race. Players like Alex Vlasic and Mason Lohrei add physicality and mobility, though the absolute top-end depth is missing. The USA doesn’t have the tournament’s best defense, but it’s undeniably stable and NHL-experienced.

Up front, the USA’s roster is a scoring machine, driven by Tage Thompson and Clayton Keller. Thompson, Buffalo Sabres’ powerhouse, is one of the NHL’s most feared snipers with his size and lethal shot. Keller, captain of Utah Hockey Club, is a dynamic playmaker who delivered 76 points in the NHL last season, steering the offense with speed and creativity. They’re flanked by young stars like Will Smith, who notched 45 points as a rookie for the San Jose Sharks, and Logan Cooley, an explosive talent from Utah. Matty Beniers and Cutter Gauthier add further depth, but Thompson and Keller make the USA’s attack deadly.

The roster’s strength lies in its balance of youthful enthusiasm and NHL experience. It’s no longer common for the USA to send pure college teams to the World Championship, and that era is clearly over. Fun!

2. Czech Republic

The Czech Republic storms into the 2025 World Championship aiming to defend their 2024 gold, when Prague erupted in joy after defeating Switzerland. The Czechs aren’t sending a weak team this time either, but while rivals have bolstered their rosters, the champions field a similar lineup to last year. They have a few NHL players, but European league players will form the backbone.

David Pastrňák, the 29-year-old Boston Bruins star, is the team’s shining spearhead. His lethal shot clinched the 2024 final, and he’s key to new medals. This season, he carried the Bruins with 106 points in 82 games despite the team’s struggles. Veterans like Roman Červenka, 39, in his 12th World Championship, add experience. Filip Zadina and Jakub Lauko bring speed, while Adam Klapka, at 203 cm, overpowers defenses.

The goalkeeping trio of Karel Vejmelka, Dan Vladar, and Josef Kořenář is a wall of stability with NHL experience and sharp reflexes. Vejmelka comes off a strong season with Utah HC, playing his best hockey in years. The defense, led by Filip Hronek, blends finesse and physicality, with Tomáš Kundrátek as a seasoned rock.

The Czechs hope to add Martin Nečas from the Colorado Avalanche, recently eliminated. If he joins, he’s a world-class addition, coming off a career-best 83 points in 79 games with blazing speed. The Czech Republic will do everything to defend their gold, but repeating last year’s success will require something extraordinary.

3. Switzerland

Switzerland is set on revenge after falling just short in Prague 2024, where the Czech Republic snatched gold in the final. With Patrick Fischer as coach, the team has a stellar lineup, mixing NHL stars like Nico Hischier and Timo Meier with veterans like Andres Ambühl and Sven Andrighetto, ready to compete in Group B.

For me, Switzerland is always a dark horse, and this year is no exception. They have a great mix of NHL talent and skilled players from the domestic league. Nico Hischier, the 26-year-old New Jersey Devils captain, is Switzerland’s biggest star, with game-breaking vision and speed. Timo Meier provides scoring punch, and Denis Malgin, now with ZSC Lions, adds finesse. Switzerland hopes Kevin Fiala, Los Angeles Kings’ sharpshooter, joins before the opener, which would give the offense an extra dimension. Without defenseman Roman Josi—a massive loss—challenging the very best could be tough.

Leonardo Genoni, in his seventh World Championship, is nearly as synonymous with Swiss hockey as Andres Ambühl, 41, in his record-breaking 20th World Championship (!). Genoni leads a solid goalkeeping trio with Sandro Aeschlimann and Stéphane Charlin, all from the domestic league—good, but not the best. The defense, with NHL duo Jonas Siegenthaler and Janis Moser, is top-notch, especially defensively, supported by NHL-experienced Dean Kukan and Frölunda’s Dominik Egli. Switzerland should never be counted out, but without Josi and uncertainty around Fiala, much depends on domestic league players who face fierce competition. My gut? They’ll reach the quarterfinals with ease, but medals feel out of reach.

4. Germany

Germany relies heavily on players from the domestic DEL league but has a few notable NHL names. In goal, veteran Philipp Grubauer will be the netminder. Once a standout NHL goalkeepr, Grubauer had a rough season with the Seattle Kraken and was even demoted to the AHL after the Kraken grew frustrated with his struggles. He’s capable, but his confidence is a question mark.

The defense is led by Detroit Red Wings’ star Moritz Seider. After a stellar season, the pressure is on to guide Germany to the quarterfinals. The defense also includes experienced Jonas Müller from Eisbären Berlin and Maksymilian Szuber, a young NHL prospect in the Utah HC organization. There’s quality, but the drop-off after Seider is noticeable.

Up front, Dominik Kahun, Marcel Noebels, and NHL player Lukas Reichel are the big names. Kahun, with his speed and hockey IQ, is dynamic but comes off an injury-plagued season in Switzerland. Noebels continues to rack up points in DEL but is aging. Germany hopes Josh Samanski builds on his strong 40-point season with Straubing Tigers. There’s plenty of experience and some younger talents, but the forward group isn’t as star-studded as top nations’. Its strength lies in experience, work rate, and chemistry.

Germany will likely be without stars Leon Draisaitl, Tim Stützle, and John-Jason Peterka, significantly reducing their chances of challenging the elite. Reaching the quarterfinals would be a success, and once there, anything can happen.

5. Denmark

Denmark dreams of making Jyske Bank Boxen erupt with joy on home ice in Herning at the 2025 World Championship. A quarterfinal would be a jackpot, but without star Nikolaj Ehlers, tied up in the NHL playoffs with the Winnipeg Jets, the roster is limited. SHL players will need to step up. If everything clicks and the puck bounces their way, they could edge out Germany for fourth in Group B.

SHL goalkeepr Frederik Dichow, who kept HV71 in the SHL with strong play, must stand on his head for Denmark to pull off an upset. The defense, featuring familiar names like Matias Lassen (Malmö Redhawks) and brothers Markus and Oliver Lauridsen, is solid but lacks offensive punch. Phillip Bruggisser and Nicholas B. Jensen, both from Germany’s DEL, add puck-moving ability. It’s not a killer defense, but it gets the job done.

The forward group is an intriguing mix. The SHL contingent—Joachim Blichfeld (Rögle), Mikkel Aagaard (Skellefteå), Oscar Fisker Mølgaard (HV71), Patrick Russell (Linköping), and Alexander True (Modo)—forms the core. Nicklas Jensen, a star for Rapperswil-Jona Lakers in Switzerland, and Nick Olesen, who shone in the Czech league, add offensive quality that could push Denmark past Germany. Denmark isn’t hopeless, especially with Germany missing its top stars, but a perfect tournament is needed for a quarterfinal spot.

6. Norway

Starting at the back, Jonas Arntzen is the goalkeepr, coming off one of his best seasons with Örebro Hockey, where he was the starter for much of the year and impressed. Norway also has Frölunda’s backup, Tobias Normann. With two strong SHL goalkeepers, Norway stands out from other bottom-tier teams, an advantage that could be the difference between success and failure.

Stian Solberg became the first Norwegian ever drafted in the NHL’s first round. This season, he played with Färjestad and saw AHL action with the San Diego Gulls. The feisty 19-year-old will be a major asset for Norway. The defense also includes Mattias Nørstebø (Björklöven, HockeyAllsvenskan), Max Krogdahl (Djurgården), and Isak Hansen (Vimmerby), names familiar to Swedish hockey fans. The rest of the defense comes from the Norwegian league.

The forward group also leans heavily on players from the Swedish system: Thomas Berg-Paulsen (Malmö Redhawks), Simen Andre Edvardsen (Karlskoga), Martin Johnsen (HV71), Eskild Bakke Olsen (Karlskoga), Noah Steen (Örebro), and Petter Vesterheim (Malmö Redhawks). Keep an eye on Eskild Bakke Olsen, who had a phenomenal season with Karlskoga, posting 53 points in 48 games. Norway will struggle against higher-ranked teams, but they’re a cut above Hungary and Kazakhstan. My guess? They’ll handle the tasks they need to but not much more.

7. Hungary

After being relegated from the top division in 2023, Hungary bounced back quickly and is ready to fight for survival in the elite tier. Their main battle will be against Kazakhstan and Norway. It’s tough to champion Hungarian hockey, but there are some bright spots.

In the forward group, Vilmos Galló, a former SHL player now in Finland’s top league, remains one of Hungary’s key players. János Hári, remembered from his SHL days, now plays in the ICEHL with Fehérvár AV19, as do many in the Hungarian squad. I don’t expect miracles from this team, and the risk of relegation is high. Their hope lies in Kazakhstan appearing weaker than in previous years.

8. Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan hasn’t improved with time—development is trending downward. Most of the roster comes from KHL’s Barys Astana, which was a punching bag this year with a -128 goal differential and just 35 points in 68 games, a historically poor performance. Last year, Kazakhstan narrowly avoided relegation by defeating France and Poland, but this year’s outlook is grim. The KHL’s declining quality and Astana’s collapse reinforce Kazakhstan as Group B’s likely last-place team. Exceptions are creative Nikita Mikhailis and veteran Roman Starchenko, but otherwise, there are few bright spots. All signs point to Kazakhstan being relegated after this tournament.