What would an under-25 Team USA look like?

For the moment, the Americans sit on the international hockey throne.

Back in February, the U.S. emerged from Milan with Olympic gold on both the men's and women's sides, claimed through twin hard-fought overtime wins against Canada. As we pass the six-month mark since that showdown, we’re taking stock of the international hockey landscape and the future trajectory of the Canadian and American men's programs.

Last week, we looked at the half-decade of draft classes that saw the U.S. make up ground on Canada, stockpiling young talent en route to the Americans’ victorious run in Italy. On Monday, we looked at how a potential Canadian under-25 team might shake out.

Next up, we turn our attention to the future of the American program, with a look at who might crack an under-25 Team USA today.

Forwards

As with our look at Canada’s next generation, we chose to build a team of 25 players under age 25 (not including 25-year-olds), to highlight promising talents earlier in their career trajectories. But for the purposes of looking at the future of the American program overall, it’s worth noting that if the squad included players who are 25 years old right now, this forward corps would get a significant boost from the likes of Cole Caufield, Matt Boldy, Jack Hughes and Trevor Zegras.

So, who leads the next wave of U.S. talent after those NHL mainstays?

Up front, a handful of no-doubters would top an American under-25 forward corps. Cutter Gauthier (22) just put up a career-best 41-goal campaign in Anaheim, potting the fourth-most goals of any American in the big leagues last season. Jackson Blake (23) is two months removed from leading Carolina in scoring as it marched to its first Stanley Cup championship in two decades.

Then there’s Matthew Knies (23), who collected a career-best 66 points in Toronto during 2025-26, the 18th-most of any American NHLer last season. There’s Matty Beniers (23) and Logan Cooley (22), talismans for the Seattle Kraken and Utah Mammoth. And dynamic talent Will Smith (21), part of one of the league’s most exciting duos in San Jose. 

Past that potential top six, there’s a second tier of quality scorers who’ve made their names in the NHL over the past year or two. Josh Doan (24) enjoyed a breakout campaign in Buffalo last season, potting a career-best 25 goals for the Sabres. Matt Coronato (23) came up with a similar breakout the season before that in Calgary, establishing himself as a 20-goal threat, too. Young wingers Ryan Leonard (21) and Jimmy Snuggerud (22) are both coming off their first 20-goal seasons themselves.

Rounding out the group is 2022 No. 13 pick Frank Nazar (22), who took a step this past season and continues to build his game in Chicago. Plus a pair of young veterans in Alex Laferriere (24), who’s become a steady 20-goal talent in Los Angeles, and Nick Robertson (24), who showed glimpses of promise during his run in Toronto. And then there's 19-year-old James Hagens, who has the Boston Bruins faithful dreaming big after a couple of sterling seasons at Boston College.

Cutter Gauthier (22) — Logan Cooley (22) — Will Smith (21)
Matthew Knies (23) — Matty Beniers (23) — Jackson Blake (23)
Ryan Leonard (21) — Frank Nazar (22) — Josh Doan (24)
Matt Coronato (23) — James Hagens (19) — Jimmy Snuggerud (22)

Extras: Alex Laferriere (24), Nick Robertson (24)

Defence

While the Canadian under-25 squad arguably has the edge when it comes to top-end offensive talent up front, the Americans no doubt have the advantage as far as blue lines of the future.

Leading the group are three bona fide all-world talents in Lane Hutson (22), Brock Faber (24) and Jake Sanderson (24). All three have received Norris votes already in their young careers, and all three have established themselves among the most promising blue-line talents in the game. Last season, the three defenders combined for 183 points in the big leagues, each playing a pivotal role for their clubs. Among all American scorers in the NHL in 2025-26, at any position, Hutson’s 78 points ranked 11th-most overall, just above brothers Jack and Quinn Hughes.

Behind that trio sits another wave of up-and-coming back-end talent for the Americans. Zeev Buium (20), drafted 12th overall in 2024, put together a quality rookie campaign after being traded to Vancouver in a deal that sent Hughes to Minnesota. Luke Hughes (22), the youngest of the three big-league brothers, has had something of a rollercoaster start in New Jersey, but has made his offensive promise clear. Sam Rinzel (22) and Cole Hutson (20) are early in their efforts to make their names at the NHL level, while 18-year-old Chase Reid — Seattle’s seventh-overall pick in this year’s draft — figures to be a key part of the national program down the line.

Not eligible for this lineup, but no doubt a pivotal piece of the Americans' future: 25-year-old Jackson LaCombe, who got the call as an injury replacement for the 2026 Olympic squad.

Lane Hutson (22) — Brock Faber (24)
Jake Sanderson (24) — Zeev Buium (20)
Luke Hughes (22) — Chase Reid (18)

Extras: Cole Hutson (20), Sam Rinzel (22)

Goaltenders

The future of the American cage is in good hands with young Jacob Fowler (21). The Montreal Canadiens netminder got his first taste of NHL action this past season after some promising showings for AHL Laval and Boston College. But he’s only scratched the surface to this point as the 21-year-old is widely considered one of the top goalie prospects in the game.

Behind him are fellow 21-year-olds Trey Augustine and Hampton Slukynsky, both set to step into the pro ranks full-time after sterling runs with Michigan State University and Western Michigan University, respectively.

And just a few years ahead of this trio, just outside eligibility for this squad, the U.S. has two other quality young goalies of the future in 25-year-olds Spencer Knight and Dustin Wolf, the latter of whom has already earned Vezina and Hart Trophy votes in his first few NHL campaigns.

Jacob Fowler (21)
Trey Augustine (21)
Hampton Slukynsky (21)