The USA celebrated a highly emotional World Cup title. © APA/afp / JONATHAN NACKSTRAND

The tragic story behind the USA's World Cup title

The USA had to wait 92 years for the next World Ice Hockey Championship trophy. On Sunday, the Americans claimed gold with a 1-0 overtime victory over Switzerland in Stockholm. It was a dramatic but deserved victory, culminating in emotional moments in memory of Johnny Gaudreau.

26 May 2025

From: dpa/det

The USA impressed at the tournament with its furious offensive performance, which was fueled by young NHL forwards whose clubs were no longer in the playoffs or hadn't even reached the finals. Against Switzerland, the USA finished with a 40-25 shot-for-shot advantage. "Everyone had a positive attitude, fought for each other, and pursued a common goal. That's why we won," said gold-medal scorer Tage Thompson.

The US boys dedicated the title to Gaudreau, who died last summer. His number 13 jersey was spread over the World Cup trophy during the presentation ceremony and hung prominently in the US locker room throughout the tournament. Gaudreau, who was nicknamed "Mister Hockey," died in a traffic accident at the end of August 2024, along with his brother Matthew.

It's likely he was hit by a drunk driver. Just a few months earlier, he had played for the US team at the World Cup in the Czech Republic. "Johnny was right here watching this," said US coach Ryan Warsofsky during his locker room speech. "He was up there watching this."

Johnny Gaudreau died at the end of August. © APA/getty / BRUCE BENNETT

However, the World Cup coup failed to make a big splash in the so-called land of opportunity. Other sports dominate the headlines; in ice hockey itself, the NHL is more important, where the race for the Stanley Cup is currently heating up. At the national team level, the USA has always been overshadowed by neighboring Canada, Russia, and the major European hockey nations. Since 2000, Team USA has won only five World Cup medals, all bronze (2004, 2013, 2015, 2018, 2021).