The 2025 IIHF World Championships are officially underway as of the morning of May 9, 2025, in Denmark and Sweden, bringing together some of the best hockey talent from around the globe. This year’s tournament is split between the two countries, with games taking place in Stockholm, Sweden, and Herning, Denmark. The excitement is palpable as teams vie for the prestigious gold medal, showcasing their skills on the international stage.
Among the players representing their nations are three members of the LA Kings organization: forward Phillip Danault, who will don the Canadian jersey for the first time at the senior international level, and prospects Martin Chromiak and Hampton Slukynsky, who will represent Slovakia and the United States, respectively. This marks a significant moment for Danault, who has consistently proven himself in the NHL and is eager to make his mark on the world stage.
Slukynsky, a fourth-round draft pick by the Kings in 2023, has already made a name for himself after winning a gold medal with the United States at the 2025 World Junior Championships. He comes off a successful NCAA season with Western Michigan, where he helped lead his team to a championship. The young goaltender is expected to bring his momentum into the tournament, further strengthening Team USA's chances.
The tournament features 16 teams divided into two groups of eight. Group A, which will compete entirely in Sweden, includes powerhouses such as Canada, Sweden, and Finland, while Group B will see teams like the United States and Czechia battling it out in Denmark. Each team will play a minimum of seven games during the group stage, with the top four teams from each group advancing to the quarterfinals.
As the tournament unfolds, Danault’s Canada will kick off their campaign against Slovenia on May 10, 2025, at 3:20 AM Pacific Time. Following that, Canada will face Latvia, France, Austria, Slovakia, Finland, and Sweden in a grueling schedule that will test their mettle.
Chromiak’s Slovakia is set to play Sweden on the same day as Canada’s opener, also at 11:20 AM Pacific Time. The young forward is looking to make a significant impact after a solid season with the AHL’s Ontario Reign, where he developed his skills and prepared for this international challenge. Slovakia will also face Slovenia, Austria, France, Canada, Latvia, and Finland during the group stage.
Meanwhile, Slukynsky and Team USA will open their tournament against Denmark on the same day at 11:20 AM Pacific Time. The USA is coming in as a strong contender, boasting a roster filled with young, talented players who are eager to prove themselves. They will also face Hungary, Switzerland, Norway, Germany, Kazakhstan, and Czechia in their group matches.
The stakes are high this year, especially with the 2026 Winter Olympics just around the corner. National teams are using this tournament as a crucial preparation ground to fine-tune their rosters and strategies. The presence of NHL stars like Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon on Team Canada adds to the excitement, as fans eagerly anticipate their performances.
Group A is particularly competitive, with Canada, Sweden, and Finland all favored to advance to the knockout stages. Slovakia, rated as the highest among the remaining teams, will have to fight hard to secure their place in the quarterfinals. As for Group B, the USA is favored to advance but will face stiff competition from underrated teams like Czechia, Germany, Switzerland, and host Denmark.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on the matchups, particularly the anticipated clash between Canada and Slovakia on May 17, 2025, at 11:20 AM Pacific Time. This game could have significant implications for both teams as they push for advancement.
In addition to the thrilling matchups, there are whispers of Kings forward Kevin Fiala potentially joining Team Switzerland later in the tournament, although details are still being finalized. Fiala, who was the MVP of last year’s tournament, would bring additional firepower to an already competitive Swiss squad.
The tournament format is designed to keep fans on the edge of their seats. The top four teams from each group will advance to the quarterfinals, where the competition becomes a single-elimination format. This structure ensures that every game counts, and one upset can change the course of the tournament. The semifinals and medal games will also be single-elimination, heightening the stakes as teams vie for glory.
As the tournament kicks off, fans are reminded to keep an eye on the players and teams to watch. Canada’s roster, headlined by superstars like Crosby and MacKinnon, is expected to dominate, while Sweden will rely on their mix of youth and experience, featuring players like Jacob Markström and Rasmus Andersson. Finland, despite missing some NHL stars, will bring a hard-nosed style led by Eeli Tolvanen and Juuso Pärssinen.
On the other side, Team USA, with an average age of just 24, is looking to make a statement. Captain Clayton Keller will lead a promising lineup that includes rising stars like Matty Beniers and Logan Cooley. They aim to redeem their nation after a disappointing performance in previous tournaments.
As the action unfolds, fans can catch all the games live on networks such as ESPN+, NHL Network, and IIHF TV, ensuring that no moment of this thrilling tournament is missed. The excitement of international hockey is back, and the road to gold begins now.
