With the 2025 IIHF World Championships starting tomorrow, it’s a good time to go over the six members of the Columbus Blue Jackets who will be heading overseas to represent their countries.
First, let’s start with the coaching staff. Blue Jackets head coach Dean Evason will be behind the bench for Team Canada. He served as an assistant coach in 2024, but this time around he’ll be leading the team on his own.
He won’t be alone, though. His assistant coach will be Steve McCarthy, who also works with him in Columbus. As a player, McCarthy won two bronze medals at the IIHF World Junior Championships in 2000 and 2001.
On the ice, Canada will also have Adam Fantilli and Kent Johnson. The young forwards will get a chance to play alongside Hall of Famer Sidney Crosby — a surreal opportunity in itself. But more than that, it’s a chance for them to observe how he prepares and hopefully take a few things from his game and apply it to their own.
Next up is Zach Werenski, who will represent Team USA. At locker cleanout day, he mentioned that a busy summer — which includes his wedding — would keep him from heading overseas. But just days ago, he announced that he’ll go after all. A report surfaced suggesting that the change came after Dylan Larkin encouraged other Americans from the 4 Nations tournament to join the team.
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Lastly, Blue Jackets prospect Samuel Knazko will suit up for Slovakia. The 22-year-old has played 149 AHL games with the Cleveland Monsters and will be playing in his 12th international tournament for his country.
The 2025 IIHF Worlds kicks off tomorrow and runs until May 25, taking place in Stockholm, Sweden and Herning, Denmark.
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