If you wish to discuss in regards to the final revenge tour, take into account what Take Thompson did on the 2025 IIHF World Championships.
After being held off the USA roster on the 4 Nations Faceoff, he scored one of many largest objectives in USA Hockey historical past. His additional time winner in opposition to Switzerland within the Gold Medal Recreation ended a 92-year drought as Crew USA received Gold on the Males’s World Championships for the primary time since 1933.
Thompson took the phrases from Detroit Pink Wings ahead Dylan Larkinwho known as out the highest U.S.-born gamers for not taking the IIHF World Championships critically after Crew USA’s additional time loss to Crew Canada on the 4 Nations Faceoff.
“We’ve had a tricky time with USA Hockey getting guys to play on the planet championships, and I believe guys which are at house watching this, I’m hoping they’re wanting a chunk of it,” Larkin mentioned. “They acquired to go to the world championships and show themselves and play for his or her nation.”
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Thompson knew he wanted to be there to show what he might show on the massive stage. He completed the event with 9 factors (six objectives and three assists), together with the Golden Aim for Crew USA. However as he advised Jon Morosi of NHL Community earlier than the event began, he needed to be a part of the group that ended the group for USA Hockey at this stage.
“Yeah, I believe that’s why most of us are right here is need to be part of that group that may say that we received gold since no matter was 1933,” Thompson mentioned. “So it’s been a very long time coming, and I believe there’s a chip on everyone’s shoulder, and I believe to say you had been a part of that group is fairly particular. In order that’s what we’re trying to obtain.”
These had been some large phrases to dwell as much as, however so had been those put out by Larkin again in February. Everybody saved asking why Crew USA can’t win on the Males’s Nationwide degree. USA Hockey has received a number of gold medals on the World Juniors (together with back-to-back golds in 2024 and 2025 for the primary time in program historical past), Males’s U18s, Ladies’s U18s, and Ladies’s Worlds and Olympics. However the Males’s Nationwide Crew can’t get it achieved on the massive stage.
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The US Nationwide Growth Program was discovering success in all places, and getting into the event, Crew USA was the youngest staff, comprised of 14 gamers from that program. A few of these gamers received on the World Junior degree. However you would inform there was a swagger to Crew USA this season. This staff meant enterprise when Jeremy Swayman, Zach Werenski, Clayton Keller, Conor Garland, Logan Cooley, Shane Pinto, Matty Beniers, Frank Nazar, Take Thompson and others went over.
“It makes an announcement to different guys: If somebody like him is coming, we’re right here to win,” Thompson advised Morosi on NHL Community.
They noticed what Canada was doing and mentioned we should reply with a few of our greatest to win. Although Boston Bruins goalie Swayman was the third goalie on Crew USA at 4 Nations, he posted a 7-0 report and backstopped Crew USA to the gold. Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenskiwho additionally performed at 4 Nations, was a late addition to the squad.
These gamers heard Larkin’s name and former NHL and USA Hockey GM Brian Burke’s name when he joined Jeff Marek on the Sheet on Each day Faceoff. Burke mentioned there isn’t sufficient nationwide pleasure within the event.
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It’s nice that Dylan mentioned that. It’s an actual drawback for us as a rustic to get folks to go. I encourage folks to go. I’ve threatened folks, and in the event that they don’t go, they’ll by no means be requested once more. So it’s a giant drawback. Getting folks to go is a large drawback. It’s not new. I begged, I’ve threatened, I’ve mentioned to folks, you need to be on the Olympic staff, you bought to come back. They nonetheless don’t come. There’s not sufficient nationwide pleasure in that event. The issue is it’s so late. So the season ends, you wait two and a half, three weeks, they ask you to come back over to Europe and play. Now you’ve shut down for 3 weeks and if you happen to’re not in form otherwise you’re nursing a nagging harm, you’re beat up. Everyone seems to be on the finish of the 12 months, and so they say no, I’m not going.
These gamers went as a result of they knew that they had one thing particular with this group. All season, that they had been taking part in for Johnny Gaudreauwho tragically misplaced his life earlier than the beginning of the 2024-25 season. Tage Thompson and Zach Werenski had been near Johnny Gaudreauand Werenski performed with him final 12 months at this event. So that you knew Crew USA needed to win it for him. However there have been additionally auditions for Milan 2026 at stake.
If you happen to have a look at the 4 Nations Faceoff rosterTake Thompson, Clayton Kelleror Logan Cooley aren’t on it. Cole Caufield wasn’t there both. He didn’t play on this event due to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Nevertheless, Crew USA wanted an additional time aim at 4 Nations; they may have used Thompson there. To not point out, Kyle Connor is within the lineup as nicely.
There might be locks for Crew USA’s roster for Milan 2026, however with the best way guys like Thompson, Cooley, Keller, and even Shane Pinto performed, it’s a must to assume they earned roster spots. This group has achieved a lot successful, it’s a must to convey that swagger into the Olympics in 2026. With out that swagger, USA Hockey might fall once more within the large moments.
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Crew USA hopes occasions are altering relating to one of the best gamers attending the World Championships. It makes an announcement to the remainder of the world that USA Hockey is right here to remain.
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