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‘Dream come true’ for Celebrini to play alongside Crosby

Feature photo: IG / @nhl Macklin Celebrini is hoping his first experience at the IIHF Ice Hockey World Hockey Championship is golden. When he received the call to represent his country and play with and against some of the world’s top NHL talent, the San Jose Sharks rookie didn’t hesitate to accept the invitation for the […]

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2 weeks ago

May 9, 2025

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Feature photo: IG / @nhl

Macklin Celebrini is hoping his first experience at the IIHF Ice Hockey World Hockey Championship is golden.

When he received the call to represent his country and play with and against some of the world’s top NHL talent, the San Jose Sharks rookie didn’t hesitate to accept the invitation for the tournament that runs May 9-25 with games taking place in Stockholm, Sweden, and Herning, Denmark.

The 18-year-old was one of the first 15 players named to the Canadian entry, which also included players like Bo Horvat, Ryan O’Reilly and Adam Fantilli.

“Every time I get a chance to play for Canada it’s hard to say no,” Celebrini, the first overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, told NHLPA.com. “It’s an amazing opportunity.”

One that is even more special considering he will now be playing alongside one of his hockey idols in Sidney Crosby.

Outside of Crosby’s outstanding NHL resume, which includes three Stanley Cups and three Ted Lindsay Awards, the Penguins captains also has an outstanding international record with two Olympic gold medals, a 2016 World Cup of Hockey championship, a world juniors gold and mostly recently took gold at the 4 Nations Face-Off.

The native of Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia has been effusive in his praise of Celebrini, who suited up for his country at the 2024 world juniors and registered eight points (four goals, four assists) in five games.

“It’s a dream come true,” said Celebrini. “He was an idol of mine growing up and to get the opportunity to play with him is surreal.”

Celebrini will line up against a few familiar faces in San Jose teammates Alex Wennberg with Team Sweden and Will Smith, who will make in his second straight world championships appearance with Team USA.

The fourth overall pick of the Sharks in 2023, Smith, who won gold with the United States at last year’s world juniors, has teamed with Celebrini to give San Jose one of the game’s most dynamic young duos.

Playing against Smith, who has become a close friend, will be somewhat strange, admitted Celebrini.

“It’ll be a little different given we’re teammates during the year, but it’ll be fun,” said the North Vancouver native. “Getting to compete against Will and see how he does will be cool.”

The pair turned heads throughout the 2024-25 NHL regular season, the first full NHL season for both.

Celebrini, the 2024 Hobey Baker Award winner as top player at the U.S. collegiate level, led the Sharks with 63 points in 70 games, finishing tied for second in overall scoring among rookies and second in goals with 25.

Smith, who played against Celebrini in college as a member of the Boston College Eagles, was equally impactful. He finished the year with 18 goals – five of those tallies came on the power play – to go along with 27 assists for 45 points in 74 games.

“He’s a great guy to be around and always finds a way to keep things light,” said Celebrini of Smith. “But at the same time, he knows when it’s time to compete and wants to win more than anyone.”

Just like Celebrini, who was recently named as a finalist for the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league’s top rookie alongside Lane Hutson [Montreal Canadiens] and Dustin Wolf [Calgary Flames].

He is hoping to add to Canada’s gold medal count at the world championships – the nation has won 28 times, the most of any other country to compete in the tournament. Their last victory came in 2023.

“This tournament is a great chance for me to compete in some meaningful games and hopefully, we can win a medal for Canada.”

In the pre-tournament finale, Celebrini netted a goal along with three assists in a 6-0 victory for Canada over Hungary.

The puck drops on the 2025 IIHF Ice Hockey World Hockey Championship on May 9, featuring a slate of four games. Canada’s first matchup is against Slovenia on May 10.

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USA Wins 2025 IIHF Hockey World Championship vs. Switzerland, 1st Gold Since 1933

The United States won its first IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship title since 1933 after Tage Thompson scored an overtime game-winner for a 1-0 victory over Switzerland on Sunday at Avicii Arena in Stockholm, Sweden. With the teams going to three-on-three action, Thompson took the puck from his own blue line and skated to the […]

Published

42 seconds ago

May 26, 2025

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With the teams going to three-on-three action, Thompson took the puck from his own blue line and skated to the right faceoff circle on the other end. He then fired a shot past Switzerland goalie Leonardo Genoni for the win.

The United States outshot Switzerland 40-25 and 29-14 in the final 40 minutes of regulation plus OT.

The United States had a few great chances to score in regulation, particularly in the second period after the team earned a penalty shot when Frank Nazar drew a penalty shot after a Michael Fora hooking penalty on a breakaway.

Conor Garland skated up for the penalty shot, but Genoni stonewalled the attempt.

The United States had another great chance when Clayton Keller fired a shot from the left faceoff circle. Genoni got the save, but the puck bounced up in the air and skidded toward the goal. However, Switzerland was there to clear the puck away from the crease.

The two teams ultimately went scoreless in regulation, but the game-winner arrived quickly as Thompson got the goal just 2:02 into OT.

In net, Jeremy Swayman earned the 25-save shutout victory. Genoni saved 39 shots for Switzerland in defeat.

The United States dominated in the lead-in to the championship game, winning six of its seven group games (five in regulation). The U.S. outscored its opponents 34-14, with its only loss occurring to Switzerland by a 3-0 score.

The Americans turned it up in the knockout round, beating Finland 5-2 and Sweden 6-2 to make the championship. However, Switzerland, whose only pre-championship blemish was a single overtime loss to Czechia to start the tournament, beat Austria 6-0 and Denmark 7-0 en route to the championship.

And so the two tournament titans faced off in the final. In the end, the United States was victorious thanks to Thompson and a tremendous defensive effort.

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U.S. men’s hockey team wins first standalone world championship since 1933

The U.S. men’s hockey team won its first standalone world championship since 1933, beating Switzerland 1-0 in overtime in Sunday’s final in Stockholm. Tage Thompson of the Buffalo Sabres scored the golden goal 2:02 into OT to give the U.S. men their first major tournament title since the 1996 World Cup. Their last Olympic title […]

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48 minutes ago

May 26, 2025

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The U.S. men’s hockey team won its first standalone world championship since 1933, beating Switzerland 1-0 in overtime in Sunday’s final in Stockholm.

Tage Thompson of the Buffalo Sabres scored the golden goal 2:02 into OT to give the U.S. men their first major tournament title since the 1996 World Cup. Their last Olympic title came in 1980 with the Miracle on Ice.

Jeremy Swayman of the Boston Bruins stopped all 25 Swiss shots. Swayman was the unused third goalie for the U.S. at the 4 Nations Face-Off in February behind Connor Hellebuyck and Jake Oettinger, neither of whom was on the world team as their NHL clubs made the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

For a time, the Olympics also counted as world championships, so the U.S.’ Olympic medals in 1952 (silver), 1956 (silver) and 1960 (gold) are also world championship medals.

The U.S. was eliminated from worlds in the quarterfinals last year. The Americans were fourth at worlds in 2022 and 2023 and made the semifinals 13 times since the IIHF reinstituted a bracketed playoff round in 1992.

They lost 12 semifinals in a row before beating Sweden in Stockholm on Saturday to ensure their first gold or silver finish at a standalone worlds since 1950.

After Sunday’s win, the team celebrated with a jersey of Johnny Gaudreau, the U.S.’ all-time leader in points and assists in world championship play. Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, died last Aug. 29 after being hit by a suspected drunk driver while they were bicycling.

The U.S. Olympic roster in 2026 — with the expected return of NHL players for the first time since 2014 — should look very different from the world team.

Only two players on the world team (Swayman and defenseman Zach Werenski) were on the roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off. The 4 Nations team is expected to more closely resemble the Olympic team that will be named in full in late 2025 or January 2026.

Many top NHL players miss worlds because the tournament takes place during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Others choose to rest after the NHL season.

The U.S. head coach at worlds was the San Jose Sharks’ Ryan Warsofsky.

The U.S. head coach for the Olympics is the New York Rangers’ Mike Sullivan.

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US wins ice hockey world championship gold with 1-0 OT win against Switzerland

STOCKHOLM (AP) — The United States prevailed over Switzerland 1-0 in overtime of the final of the ice hockey world championship on Sunday. Tage Thompson wristed a shot past goaltender Leonardo Genoni from the top of the right circle for the winner 2:02 into overtime with the 40th shot on goal. Logan Cooley and Brady […]

Published

1 hour ago

May 26, 2025

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STOCKHOLM (AP) — The United States prevailed over Switzerland 1-0 in overtime of the final of the ice hockey world championship on Sunday.

Tage Thompson wristed a shot past goaltender Leonardo Genoni from the top of the right circle for the winner 2:02 into overtime with the 40th shot on goal.

Logan Cooley and Brady Skjei provided the assists and goaltender Jeremy Swayman shut out the Swiss with 25 saves.

USA Hockey says it is the second trophy won at the tournament by the Americans after winning in 1933.

The Americans were also formally awarded the title in 1960 when they won the Olympic tournament and the worlds did not take place.

Bronze medal for Sweden

Mikael Backlund and Marcus Johansson scored two goals each as Sweden beat Denmark 6-2 to take the bronze medal earlier Sunday.

It was the second straight third-place finish for Sweden while fourth place was the best-ever result for Denmark.

Lucas Raymond and Mika Zibanejad also scored for the winners while Nick Olesen and Nikolaj Ehlers scored for Denmark.

___

AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports

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US pay tribute to Gaudreau after winning first men’s ice hockey world title since 1933 | USA ice hockey team

The United States prevailed over Switzerland 1-0 in overtime to claim the American men’s first ice hockey world championship at the tournament since 1933. Tage Thompson wristed a shot past goaltender Leonardo Genoni from the top of the right circle for the winner 2:02 into overtime with the 40th shot on goal. Logan Cooley and […]

Published

2 hours ago

May 25, 2025

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The United States prevailed over Switzerland 1-0 in overtime to claim the American men’s first ice hockey world championship at the tournament since 1933.

Tage Thompson wristed a shot past goaltender Leonardo Genoni from the top of the right circle for the winner 2:02 into overtime with the 40th shot on goal. Logan Cooley and Brady Skjei provided the assists and goaltender Jeremy Swayman shut out the Swiss with 25 saves.

“We did it, the wait is over,” Swayman said in a social media post. “Thanks for sticking along with us. It’s going to be a great summer.”

The Americans were also awarded the title in 1960 when they won the Olympic tournament and the worlds did not take place. Team USA’s last men’s Olympic title came thanks to the Miracle On Ice at the 1980 Games.

Many of the world’s top players do not take part at the worlds as it takes place during the NHL playoffs, while others choose to rest after the long and grueling regular season. While most of the US players at this year’s tournament are on NHL teams, there are also a number of college players. The US had lost 12 world championship semi-finals in succession before they beat Sweden on Saturday.

As the US posed for photos after their win, they held up the jersey of Johnny Gaudreau who was struck and killed by a car along with his brother, Matthew, in August. A man accused of killing the NHL star and his brother while drunk driving is awaiting trial.

Earlier, Mikael Backlund and Marcus Johansson scored two goals each as Sweden beat Denmark 6-2 to take the bronze medal. It was the second straight third-place finish for Sweden while fourth place was the best-ever result for Denmark.

Lucas Raymond and Mika Zibanejad also scored for the Swedes while Nick Olesen and Nikolaj Ehlers scored for Denmark.

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US wins ice hockey world championship gold with 1-0 OT win against Switzerland | National Sports

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2 hours ago

May 25, 2025

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US wins ice hockey world championship gold with 1-0 OT win against Switzerland

Published

2 hours ago

May 25, 2025

Your Sports Nation

STOCKHOLM (AP) — The United States prevailed over Switzerland 1-0 in overtime of the final of the ice hockey world championship on Sunday.

Tage Thompson wristed a shot past goaltender Leonardo Genoni from the top of the right circle for the winner 2:02 into overtime with the 40th shot on goal.

Logan Cooley and Brady Skjei provided the assists and goaltender Jeremy Swayman shut out the Swiss with 25 saves.

USA Hockey says it is the second trophy won at the tournament by the Americans after winning in 1933.

The Americans were also formally awarded the title in 1960 when they won the Olympic tournament and the worlds did not take place.