Matthews, Tkachuk among first six players for USA in 2025 4 Nations Face-Off
Team USA is looking to go all the way.
On Friday, the first six players were selected to the American squad to compete in the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off, including Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs), Stanley Cup winner Matthew Tkachuk (Florida Panthers), Charlie McAvoy (Boston Bruins), 2024 Norris-trophy winner Quinn Hughes (Vancouver Canucks), Adam Fox (New York Rangers), and Jack Eichel (Vegas Golden Knights).
It's a party in the USA. 🎶 #4Nations
Here are the first six players representing the USA at 4 Nations Face-Off! pic.twitter.com/93yQmNFtP8
Each of the players named have represented USA hockey at some point throughout their careers, for some there’s been quite the gap in appearances.
Matthews, 26, is the best goal scorer on the planet. The Arizona native potted an NHL best 69 goals last season for the Maple Leafs, finishing the year with a career-high 107 points in 81 games. He’d battle some injury troubles throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs, however managed to collect four points in five postseason games.
Matthews grew up within the United States National Team Development Program (USNTD) and has represented his country numerous times throughout his career. He was also a big part of Team North America at the World Cup back in 2016, a roster full of young stars who were under the age of 23.
Matthew Tkachuk, 26, the eldest of the Tkachuk brothers is fresh off winning a Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers. He recorded 22 points in 24 games throughout the postseason and was one of the many reasons the Panthers were able to hold off the Edmonton Oilers in seven games. He’ll bring his tenacity and in-your-face style to the 4 Nations Face-Off
Quinn Hughes was awarded the 2024 James Norris Memorial trophy in Vegas on Friday night and follows up being named the NHL’s best defenseman by claiming a roster spot on Team USA. Hughes, 24, recorded an impressive 92 points in 82 regular season games last season, and added another 10 assists in 13 Stanley Cup Playoff games. He last represented Team USA at the World Juniors back in 2019.
The American’s decided to go defense heavy with their first six selections as McAvoy and Fox were also named to the initial roster. Fox, a Norris trophy winner from 2020-21 recorded 73 points in 72 games for the Rangers last season. Meanwhile McAvoy has come into his own in Boston, finished last season with 47 points in 74 games. He last represented his country in 2018 at the World Championships.
Rounding out the initial six is Eichel of the Golden Knights. The Chelmsford, Massachusetts native scored 31 goals in 63 games in 2023-24, and represented his country more recently in 2019 at the World Championships.
The 2025 4 Nations Face-Off will feature teams from Finland, Sweden, Canada and the United States and takes place Feb. 12-20, 2025 from the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec and TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.Â