“We’re excited to get going and know we’re facing an excellent Swiss team,” said Don Granato, head coach of the U.S. Men’s National Team. “It’s been fun to see how our group has come together in a short period of time and we look forward to the challenge ahead.”
Team USA’s roster features 12 first or second-round NHL Draft picks, more than 5,000 games of NHL experience, and seven players who have previously competed in the IIHF Men’s World Championship, including Mason Lohrei and Isaac Howard, who were both members of the 2025 gold medal-winning team.
The U.S. and Switzerland meet for the 29th time ever in the men’s worlds tonight with the U.S. holding a 17-1-1-8-1 (W-OTW-OTL-L-T) advantage. The U.S. has won four of the last five meetings in the series.
Team USA played just one pre-tournament game and used five different goal scorers in downing Germany, 5-2, on Sunday (May 10) in Mannheim, Germany.
Justin Faulk, who is playing in his fourth IIHF Men’s World Championship and has two bronze medals to his credit in the event, is the captain of Team USA. Faulk was also part of the 2014 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team. Ryan Lindgren and Mathieu Olivier are the team’s alternate captains.
Team USA features three goaltenders, including Joseph Woll from the Toronto Maple Leafs, who is part of a U.S. national team for the first time since helping Team USA earn bronze in the 2018 IIHF World Junior Championship; Devin Cooley from the Calgary Flames, who is making his debut in an IIHF world championship; and Drew Commesso, of the Chicago Blackhawks organization, who last competed for Team USA in the 2023 IIHF Men’s World Championship.
