On May 25, 2025, Tage Thompson scored in overtime, leading Team USA to a 1-0 victory over Switzerland in the ice hockey world championship at Stockholm’s Avicii Arena. This marks the first on-ice championship for USA Hockey in 92 years. Players honored late star Johnny Gaudreau by holding his jersey during the celebratory photo. Thompson, aiming for the 2026 Olympics, clinched the win with assists from Logan Cooley and Brady Skjei. Goaltender Jeremy Swayman secured a shutout with 25 saves. Meanwhile, Sweden defeated Denmark 6-2 for bronze, with Denmark achieving its best finish.
STOCKHOLM — Tage Thompson, the standout forward for the Buffalo Sabres, netted the decisive goal just 2:02 into overtime, propelling Team USA to a 1-0 victory over Switzerland in the ice hockey world championship final at Avicii Arena on Sunday.
This marks the first on-ice trophy for USA Hockey in this event in 92 years, the last being in 1933. Sunday’s victory was especially poignant. As Team USA gathered for their championship photo at center ice, players proudly displayed a No. 13 jersey in honor of Johnny Gaudreau, the former NHL and USA Hockey star who tragically passed away last August after being struck by an allegedly intoxicated driver while cycling at night in New Jersey, just before their sister Katie’s wedding.
“Johnny was here, watching this moment,” Team USA’s Ryan Warsofsky, coach of the San Jose Sharks, remarked to his players during his spirited locker room address, which was shared on USA Hockey’s social media channels. “He was up there watching this one.”
Thompson, who scored 44 goals and accumulated 72 points with the Sabres this season, aims to enhance his credentials for a slot on the U.S. roster for the 2026 Olympics, and he’s certainly making strides. Previously a reserve for the 4 Nations Face-Off in February, Thompson took full advantage of his opportunity to play alongside a talented group of young NHL forwards who either missed the playoffs or faced early exits.
HISTORY MADE. FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 92 YEARS, TEAM USA IS BRINGING HOME THE #MENSWORLDS GOLD 🇺🇸🏆 pic.twitter.com/4qqRdIc3VF
— USA Hockey (@usahockey) May 25, 2025
Thompson’s winning shot, assisted by Utah Hockey Club’s Logan Cooley and Nashville Predators’ Brady Skjei, zipped past Swiss goalie Leonardo Genoni, capping off a tense and thrilling title match. Team USA outshot Switzerland 40-25.
Jeremy Swayman, the goaltender for the Boston Bruins, completed the shutout in the final, making 25 saves, a year after his NHL teammate David Pastrnak led the Czech Republic to the same title.
“We did it, the wait is over,” Swayman expressed in a message to USA Hockey fans on social media. “Thank you for being with us. It’s going to be an amazing summer.”
While the Americans were officially awarded the title in 1960 when they won the Olympic tournament amid a year without a world championship, this victory marks the first on-ice win in over nine decades.
The Swiss team played without their injured captain, Nico Hischier, a star center for the New Jersey Devils. Following the match, Genoni was named the tournament’s MVP.
Earlier that day, Sweden triumphed over Denmark with a score of 6-2 in the bronze medal match. Calgary Flames’ Mikael Backlund and Minnesota Wild’s Marcus Johansson each scored twice for Sweden, securing their second consecutive third-place finish. Denmark’s fourth-place finish represents their best result to date.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.