Shortly after the United States` overtime loss to Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off championship, Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin discussed the progress of American hockey and future prospects.
Larkin, a five-time participant in the World Championships, noted, `I believe USA Hockey has faced challenges in getting players to commit to the World Championships. I hope that players watching this will want to be part of it.`
`Players need to participate in the World Championships to prove themselves and represent their country. We need to aim to win that tournament. Canada consistently sends their players, and they compete,` he added.
Larkin`s comments have initiated a conversation about a significant hurdle for the sport`s national governing body as it strives to become a dominant force in men`s hockey globally. Achieving this requires dedication beyond high-profile events like the 4 Nations Face-Off or the Olympics, beginning with how players perceive participation in the IIHF World Championships.
USA Hockey`s leadership is aware of Larkin`s statement, as are his NHL colleagues. However, persuading these peers to fully commit remains a challenge.
ESPN consulted ten sources, including players and management, to understand why USA Hockey struggles to attract more top-tier NHL players to the World Championships. While this year`s tournament could serve as an Olympic team audition for some players, there`s a sentiment that playing for Team USA should be motivated by more than just Olympic aspirations.
Minnesota Wild General Manager Bill Guerin, who managed Team USA at the 4 Nations Face-Off and will also manage the 2026 Olympic team, stated, `We must rebuild a culture where this tournament is valued more by our players. The reasons given for declining participation are inadequate. We need players to participate to increase our chances of winning, and we need our best players to consider going.`
`While I understand real-life situations, injuries, and contract considerations, some excuses simply aren`t valid.`
THE LANDSCAPE OF AMERICAN HOCKEY has transformed significantly since Guerin and John Vanbiesbrouck, USA Hockey`s assistant executive director for hockey operations, played in the NHL.
Neither was born when the U.S. secured its second World Championship and first Olympic gold in 1960. Guerin was 10 and Vanbiesbrouck 16 during the `Miracle On Ice` in 1980, where amateur players defeated the Soviet Union to win America`s second Olympic hockey gold.
Initially, the World Championships were for amateurs, but the IIHF allowed professionals starting in 1977, following the Canada Cup, a pro-player tournament held five times between 1976 and 1991.
The Canada Cup was eventually succeeded by the World Cup of Hockey in 1996. The NHL then permitted its players to compete in the Olympics from 1998.
This created opportunities for players like Guerin and Vanbiesbrouck to represent the U.S. throughout their careers and introduced a contrast in roster composition.
For instance, Vanbiesbrouck played in four World Championships and two Canada Cups, participating in both in 1991. That year`s World Championship team had ten players under 23, while the Canada Cup team had only four.
Guerin, while never at the Worlds, represented the U.S. at three Olympics and two World Cups, winning gold at the 1996 World Cup and silver at the 2002 Olympics. Team USA`s median age during Guerin`s time was 30.
`Our expectations have evolved,` Vanbiesbrouck stated. `Wearing the jersey carries a certain expectation, national pride, honoring the flag and predecessors. It`s a significant aspect of our game.`
The 1996 establishment of the United States National Team Development Program (NTDP) helped elevate these expectations. The NTDP became a hub for top U18 and U17 male players.
Before the NTDP, the U.S. had only two bronze medals at the IIHF U20 World Junior Championships. Since then, the NTDP has been crucial in making the U.S. a WJC powerhouse, with seven gold medals since 2010, including the latest earlier this year.
With the NTDP producing 98 first-round picks and World Juniors success, it was assumed USA Hockey could easily recruit national team players. This was evident after the 4 Nations Face-Off, contributing to the U.S. being a 2026 Olympic gold contender.
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski said after the 4 Nations Face-Off, `Many of us are NTDP alumni, and even in two weeks, this was the closest team I`ve been part of. It was great being here, and everyone was committed. It shows what USA Hockey is doing from youth levels.`
`We expect to win, to compete for gold against top teams like Canada.`
Players like Larkin and Werenski have different experiences than predecessors. Fewer international opportunities existed due to the NHL`s absence from the 2018 and 2022 Olympics and only two World Cups since 1996 (2004, 2016).
The World Championships became the most consistent near-best-on-best tournament. However, despite growing international hockey interest, a disconnect persists between U.S. players and the World Championships.
The timing of the World Championships, May 9-25, coinciding with the Stanley Cup playoffs` second round and conference finals, is a factor.
This limits the player pool to non-playoff or first-round eliminated teams.
Vanbiesbrouck noted, `It`s when players seek a break, and committing for a month is demanding. Most NHL players have families, and hip injuries requiring summer recuperation are common. These are significant factors.`
THE WINNIPEG JETS` Connor Hellebuyck and Nikolaj Ehlers exemplify differing World Championship views between the U.S. and the rest of the world.
Hellebuyck, from Commerce Township, Mich., near the NTDP headquarters, grew up watching the Detroit Red Wings and idolizing American goalie Jimmy Howard.
He first learned about the World Championships at 21, after his first AHL season in 2015, when USA Hockey invited him to join the team.
`USA Hockey`s call was a cool experience,` Hellebuyck said. `I realized it`s for the experience and development for younger players, not typically for veterans unless they want to travel or play more hockey.`
American players like Hellebuyck often associate May hockey with the Stanley Cup playoffs, amidst MLB, NBA Finals, and PGA Championship events, reducing visibility.
Contrast this with Ehlers, who grew up in Aalborg, Denmark, with a pro hockey team but not the NHL. Denmark, with about 5,000 registered players, hosted the 2018 World Championships, with the eighth-highest attendance in history. Denmark co-hosts this year`s tournament with Sweden.
In Europe, the World Championships are major events in countries like Czechia, Finland, Germany, Sweden, and Switzerland (IIHF headquarters). Last year`s Czechia tournament set an attendance record of 797,727. Five of the top 10 attended tournaments since 2010 were outside North America.
The U.S. has hosted thrice, last in 1962 in Colorado. Canada, with 28 wins, hosted once in 2008.
Vanbiesbrouck mentioned no USA Hockey discussions about hosting, but expressed interest in challenging the status quo.
Ehlers, a 2016 Worlds participant, noted the tournament`s European reverence, with fans traveling to support their countries. For nations like Denmark, the Worlds are a chance to prove their place.
`With our NHL players and Olympic quarterfinal appearance, Denmark has beaten Canada and Sweden. We aim to prove we`re not a small hockey country,` said Ehlers, one of 17 Danish NHL players.
Guerin added, `Because it matters to them. It`s important, and it needs to be for us.`
HOW CAN USA Hockey attract more NHL players to the Worlds?
Guerin mentioned a program for players to bring family/friends to Europe. Vanbiesbrouck noted this evolved from observing Canada`s program.
Andre Tourigny, Canada`s coach, said Hockey Canada fosters a family environment. Bringing families allows sharing international experiences, creating a community despite distance.
`USA Hockey has improved in bringing people and setting a standard,` Guerin said. `They`ve enhanced the player and family experience. It`s a chance to play for your country. Hopefully, more players will recognize the tournament`s importance.`
Wild forward Matt Boldy noted Guerin and USA Hockey`s emphasis on the World Championships` importance and its role in 4 Nations Face-Off roster selection.
Boldy saw the Worlds as a chance to demonstrate his adaptability in international play, especially seeing other nations bring top players.
A two-time World Championship participant, Boldy learned from Johnny Gaudreau and Brock Nelson, whom he admired. Besides on-ice learning, he built teammate dynamics.
`More USA players playing together, becoming comfortable, smooths transitions for tournaments like the 4 Nations,` Boldy said. `It`s a major tournament every country wants to win, including the U.S. Getting top players involved and spending extra time together could be significant.`
Guerin and Vanbiesbrouck have heard from agents of players who missed the 4 Nations Face-Off, expressing Olympic interest. Vanbiesbrouck noted the 4 Nations event made older players realize the 2026 Olympics might be their last Team USA chance.
`If you want to participate in such tournaments, be involved,` Guerin stated. `Don`t just participate when it suits you. Many players have gone to the World Championships. To improve your chances for events like the 4 Nations and Olympics, support us in other areas. We need it, not just for those events.`
`The World Championships happen annually, and we aim to win it. That`s the bottom line.`
