2025 4 Nations Face-Off Explained

Country:Canada
Country2:United States
Dates:February 12–20, 2025
Num Teams:4
Venues:

The 2025 4 Nations Face-Off is an ice hockey tournament scheduled to take place on February12–20, 2025, in Montreal, at Bell Centre, and in Boston, at TD Garden. Hosted by the National Hockey League (NHL) and featuring only NHL players, the 4Nations Face-Off will temporarily replace the NHL's annual All-Star Game for 2025. In the tournament, teams representing Canada, Finland, Sweden, and the United States will play each other in a round-robin format, followed by a one-game final between the two top-placed teams.

Background

The 2025 4 Nations Face-Off was announced at a press conference at the 2024 NHL All-Star Game on February 2, 2024, by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman.[1] Also present at the press conference were NHL Players' Association (NHLPA) executive director Marty Walsh and four NHL players: Connor McDavid (Canada), Sebastian Aho (Finland), Elias Pettersson (Sweden), and Auston Matthews (United States).[2]

At the press conference, Bettman announced plans for NHL participation in international best-on-best tournaments in coming years.[3] In 2025, players will participate in the 4Nations Face-Off, a tournament between NHL players representing Canada, Finland, Sweden, and the United States. The NHL 4Nations Faceoff would happen in lieu of the 2025 NHL All-Star Game.[4] Bettman stated that NHL players would play in the 2026 and 2030 Winter Olympics, after they had not been released for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments.[5] Bettman also stated the league would host the next World Cups of Hockey in 2028 and 2032, with the most recent edition having been held in 2016.[6] [7]

Men's top 10 IIHF rankings as of May 2023[8] !Rank!Change*!Team!Points
1 14150
2 14080
34050
43940
5 43835
6 13800
73775
8 23735
9 13690
10 13610

At the time of the tournament's announcement, all participating teams were ranked in the top six by ice hockey's worldwide governing body, the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF): Canada (1), Finland (2), United States (4) and Sweden (6).[9] Germany, while ranked fifth, did not have enough NHL players to create a roster.[10] Though they had enough NHL players to create a roster, Russia and Czechia—ranked third and eighth, respectively—were not included in the tournament, with Russia specifically excluded due to the ongoing invasion of Ukraine.[11] [12] [13] Czech forward David Pastrnak called the omission of Czechia a "huge disappointment", though he said he understood there was limited time to organize the tournament.[14] [15] In early reporting on the tournament's format, journalist Greg Wyshynski wrote that the competition could not be considered best-on-best due to the omission of players from other ice hockey powers.[16]

Venues

The league did not initially announce the tournament venues, but stated that there would be two, one in Canada and one in the United States.[17] The league confirmed on June 8 that the venues would be Bell Centre in Montreal and TD Garden in Boston,[18] after months of reports by various media sources.[19] [20] [21]

Tournament structure

Two practice days, February10 and 11, will be held prior to the tournament. From February12–20, seven total games will be played. The tournament will be held in a round-robin format, with teams winning three points for a regulation win, two points for an overtime or shootout win, one point for an overtime or shootout loss, and zero points for a regulation loss. Each team will play three games, and the two teams with the most points will advance to a one-game final.

Games will be played on NHL-sized rinks, following NHL rules. For round-robin games, overtime will be held in a 10-minute, 3-on-3 sudden-death period, followed by a three-round shootout. In the final, overtime will be held in consecutive 20-minute, 5-on-5 sudden-death periods.

Teams

Teams will each consist of 23 players: 20 skaters (forwards and defencemen) and 3 goaltenders. Players are selected by their respective governing bodies: Hockey Canada, the Finnish Ice Hockey Association, the Swedish Ice Hockey Association and USA Hockey. The tournament is restricted to players who have a 2024–25 NHL contract and are on an NHL roster as of December2, 2024.[22] Because the NHL does not have an agreement with the IIHF for the 4Nations Face-Off, the tournament cannot include non-NHL players.

On June 28, 2024, the NHL announced the first six players on each team's roster.[23] The remaining players will be announced on December4, with the complete rosters of Team Sweden and Team Finland being announced on 2:00 p.m. ET on the NHL Network and ESPN's SportsCenter, and the complete rosters of Team USA and Team Canada being announced at 6:30 p.m. during pregame broadcasts on Sportsnet, TNT, and TVA Sports.[24] Ultimately, no players from the Seattle Kraken or the Washington Capitals are expected to participate in the Face-Off.[25]

Canada

In April 2024, it was announced that Don Sweeney and Jim Nill were appointed by Doug Armstrong as Canada's general manager and associate general manager, respectively.[26] Both were also named assistant general managers for the 2026 Olympic team.[27] On June 25, Jon Cooper was named Canada's head coach for both the 4 Nations Face-Off and 2026 Winter Olympics.[28] Rick Tocchet, Bruce Cassidy, and Peter DeBoer will join Cooper as assistant coaches for the 4 Nations Face-Off.[29]

Team Canada as of December 4, 2024!Player!Pos.!S/G!Birthplace!Team
FLEast Gwillimbury, OntarioFlorida Panthers
GLRichmond Hill, OntarioSt. Louis Blues
FLWoodbridge, OntarioTampa Bay Lightning
FLHalifax, Nova ScotiaPittsburgh Penguins
FLSaskatoon, SaskatchewanTampa Bay Lightning
GLComox, British ColumbiaVegas Golden Knights
FRWinnipeg, ManitobaCarolina Hurricanes
FRLondon, OntarioPhiladelphia Flyers
FRHalifax, Nova ScotiaColorado Avalanche
DRCalgary, AlbertaColorado Avalanche
FLHammonds Plains, Nova ScotiaBoston Bruins
FRMarkham, OntarioToronto Maple Leafs
FLRichmond Hill, OntarioEdmonton Oilers
GLBécancour, QuebecMontreal Canadiens
DLCalgary, AlbertaWinnipeg Jets
DRSt. Albert, AlbertaSt. Louis Blues
DRKing City, OntarioVegas Golden Knights
FRCalgary, AlbertaTampa Bay Lightning
FRNorth Vancouver, British ColumbiaFlorida Panthers
DLElkhorn, ManitobaPhiladelphia Flyers
FRWinnipeg, ManitobaVegas Golden Knights
DLAldergrove, British ColumbiaVegas Golden Knights
DLAbbotsford, British ColumbiaColorado Avalanche

Finland

Antti Pennanen will serve as Finland's head coach.[30] Tuomo Ruutu is assistant coach. Jere Lehtinen is the general manager, and his assistants are Mikko Koivu and Jarmo Kekalainen.[31] [32] On December 4, 2024, the entire roster for Finland was released.[33]

Team Finland as of December 4, 2024!Player!Pos.!S/G!Birthplace!Team
FLRauma, SatakuntaCarolina Hurricanes
FRPori, SatakuntaMontreal Canadiens
FLTampere, PirkanmaaFlorida Panthers
FLOulunsalo, North OstrobothniaSan Jose Sharks
DRKirkkonummi, UusimaaToronto Maple Leafs
FLPori, SatakuntaNew Jersey Devils
DLEspoo, UusimaaDallas Stars
FLNokia, PirkanmaaDallas Stars
FLTurku, Southwest FinlandNew York Rangers
FRTampere, PirkanmaaMontreal Canadiens
GLHelsinki, UusimaaVancouver Canucks
FLPiikkiö, Southwest FinlandColorado Avalanche
DLHelsinki, UusimaaDallas Stars
FLEspoo, UusimaaFlorida Panthers
FLSiilinjärvi, North SavoFlorida Panthers
GLEspoo, UusimaaBuffalo Sabres
DLJyväskylä, Central FinlandUtah Hockey Club
DLKiiminki, North OstrobothniaNew York Rangers
FLNousiainen, Southwest FinlandColorado Avalanche
DRTurku, Southwest FinlandPhiladelphia Flyers
GLForssa, Kanta-HämeNashville Predators
FLHelsinki, UusimaaChicago Blackhawks
DLNokia, PirkanmaaUtah Hockey Club

Sweden

The general manager for Sweden will be Anders Lundberg, and will coach.[34] Daniel Alfredsson will serve as an assistant coach.[35] On December 4, 2024, the full roster for Sweden was released.[36]

Team Sweden as of December 4, 2024!Player!Pos.!S/G!Birthplace!Team
DRMalmö, SkäneCalgary Flames
FRKusmark, VästerbottenEdmonton Oilers
FLStockholm, StockholmNew Jersey Devils
DLKarlstad, VärmlandMinnesota Wild
FLKarlstad, VärmlandAnaheim Ducks
DLTrollhättan, Västra GötalandBuffalo Sabres
DLBorlänge, DalarnaEdmonton Oilers
FLKarlstad, VärmlandMinnesota Wild
FRÖstervåla, UppsalaNashville Predators
DLLinköping, ÖstergötlandFlorida Panthers
GLSkellefteå, VästerbottenMinnesota Wild
DLÖrnsköldsvik, VästernorrlandTampa Bay Lightning
DRPittsburgh Penguins
FLMärsta, StockholmVegas Golden Knights
FLKramfors, VästernorrlandLos Angeles Kings
FRBoden, NorrbottenBoston Bruins
GLGävle, GävleborgNew Jersey Devils
FRCalgary, Alberta, CanadaToronto Maple Leafs
FLHalmstad, HallandNashville Predators
FRGothenburg, Västra GötalandDetroit Red Wings
FLSundsvall, VästernorrlandVancouver Canucks
GLLugnvik, VästernorrlandOttawa Senators
FRHuddinge, StockholmNew York Rangers

United States

In February 2024, Bill Guerin was announced as general manager of the United States team for the 4 Nations Face-Off and 2026 Winter Olympics.[37] In May, Mike Sullivan was named head coach of the team for both competitions.[38] John Hynes,[39] John Tortorella, and David Quinn are the assistant coaches.[40]

Team United States as of December 4, 2024!Player!Pos.!S/G!Birthplace!Team
FLMillville, MassachusettsMinnesota Wild
LLClinton Township, MichiganWinnipeg Jets
FRNorth Chelmsford, MassachusettsVegas Golden Knights
DRMaple Grove, MinnesotaMinnesota Wild
DRJericho, New YorkNew York Rangers
FLOmaha, NebraskaTampa Bay Lightning
GLCommerce Township, MichiganWinnipeg Jets
DLBoston, MassachusettsVegas Golden Knights
FLOrlando, FloridaNew Jersey Devils
DLOrlando, FloridaVancouver Canucks
FLBoxford, MassachusettsNew York Rangers
FLWaterford Township, MichiganDetroit Red Wings
FLSan Ramon, CaliforniaToronto Maple Leafs
DRLong Beach, New YorkBoston Bruins
FLEast Palestine, OhioVancouver Canucks
FLMinneapolis, MinnesotaNew York Islanders
GLLakeville, MinnesotaDallas Stars
DLErie, ColoradoCarolina Hurricanes
GLAnchorage, AlaskaBoston Bruins
FLScottsdale, ArizonaOttawa Senators
FLScottsdale, ArizonaFlorida Panthers
FRPittsburgh, PennsylvaniaNew York Rangers
DLGrosse Pointe, MichiganColumbus Blue Jackets

Schedule

Final

Media rights

In Canada, the tournament will be televised by Sportsnet in English, and TVA Sports in French. In the United States, TNT/TruTV will have the round-robin games on February 12 and 17, ABC/ESPN+ will air the February 15 doubleheader, and ESPN will air the United States–Finland game on February 13 and the final on February 20.[18]

External link

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2024-02-02 . NHL to return to Olympics in 2026, 2030, hold '4 Nations Face-Off' in 2025 . 2024-02-02 . TSN . . February 2, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240202211208/https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/nhl-to-return-to-olympics-in-2026-2030-hold-4-nations-face-off-in-2025-1.2070919 . live .
  2. Web site: Nivison . Austin . 2024-02-02 . NHL announces return to Winter Olympics in 2026 and 2030, unveils plans for '4 Nations Face-Off' . 2024-02-03 . CBS Sports . February 3, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240203035419/https://www.cbssports.com/nhl/news/nhl-announces-return-to-winter-olympics-in-2026-and-2030-unveils-plans-for-4-nations-face-off/ . live .
  3. Web site: Spiegel . Jackie . Elvin . Gustav . 2024-02-02 . NHL players to return to the Winter Olympics in 2026; play in new 4 Nations Face-off next year . 2024-02-04 . Philadelphia Inquirer . February 4, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240204062135/https://www.inquirer.com/flyers/nhl-olympics-best-on-best-4-nations-face-off-20240202.html . live .
  4. Web site: NHL To Return To Olympics For 2026, 2030 Winter Games . 2024-02-02 . Barron's . . February 2, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240202212207/https://www.barrons.com/news/nhl-to-return-to-olympics-for-2026-2030-winter-games-1859ced3 . live .
  5. Web site: Wyshinski . Greg . 2024-02-02 . NHL going to Olympics, another 4-nation tourney . 2024-02-02 . ESPN . February 2, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240202211208/https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/39444914/nhl-going-olympics-another-4-nation-tourney . live .
  6. Web site: Silverman . Alex . 2024-02-02 . NHL, NHLPA announce Olympic return, launch new international event . 2024-02-02 . Sports Business Journal . February 2, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240202211208/https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2024/02/02/gary-bettman-nhl-hockey-olympics-2026-2030 . live .
  7. Web site: Wells . Adam . 2024-02-02 . NHL Announces 2025 4 Nations Face-Off Tournament with Canada, USA, Finland, Sweden . 2024-02-03 . Bleacher Report . en . February 3, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240203035419/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10107713-nhl-announces-2025-4-nations-face-off-tournament-with-canada-usa-finland-sweden . live .
  8. Web site: IIHF World Ranking . https://web.archive.org/web/20240408160003/https://www.iihf.com/en/worldranking . 2024-04-08 . 2024-04-22 . IIHF .
  9. Web site: Ellis . Steven . 2024-02-02 . NHL, NHLPA to host 4 Nations Face-Off international tournament in 2025 . 2024-04-22 . Daily Faceoff . en . April 22, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240422183001/https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/nhl-nhlpa-to-host-4-nations-face-off-international-tournament-in-2025 . live .
  10. Web site: Cushman . Kyle . 2023-11-20 . Report: NHL's 2025 international tourney will include just 4 nations . 2024-02-04 . theScore.com . en . May 5, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240505003015/https://www.thescore.com/nhl/news/2771413 . live .
  11. Web site: Kingerski . Dan . 2024-02-02 . NHL to Stage 4-Nation International Tournament in 2025 . 2024-02-04 . Pittsburgh Hockey Now . en-US . February 4, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240204062840/https://pittsburghhockeynow.com/nhl-stage-4-nations-face-off-international-tournament-2025/ . live .
  12. News: Koshan . Terry . 2024-02-02 . Return of NHL to Olympics, best-on-best tournaments 'awesome news' . 2024-02-04 . Edmonton Journal . February 4, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240204062909/https://edmontonjournal.com/sports/hockey/nhl/return-of-nhl-to-olympics-best-on-best-tournaments-awesome-news . live .
  13. Web site: Seravalli . Frank . 2023-10-20 . NHL's 2025 international tournament won't be a World Cup, and won't have Russian players . 2024-02-04 . Daily Faceoff . en . February 4, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240204063354/https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/nhls-2025-international-tournament-wont-be-a-world-cup-and-wont-have-russian-players . live .
  14. Web site: Ryan . Conor . 2024-02-06 . David Pastrnak irked by absence of Czech players in NHL international tournament . 2024-04-22 . The Boston Globe . en-US . April 22, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240422183001/https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/02/06/sports/nhl-four-nations-faceoff-tournament/ . live .
  15. Web site: Maple Leafs-led Team Matthews mix competitiveness, chirps in NHL All-Star Game win . 2024-02-04 . Sportsnet.ca . en . February 4, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240204063354/https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/maple-leafs-led-team-matthews-mix-competitiveness-chirps-in-nhl-all-star-game-win/ . live .
  16. Web site: Wyshinski . Greg . 2023-11-20 . Sources: NHL aims for 4-nation tourney in 2025 . 2024-05-04 . ESPN.com . en . April 22, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240422180544/https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/38946563/sources-nhl-looks-put-four-nation-tournament-2025 . live .
  17. Web site: Van Diest . Derek . 2024-02-02 . NHL to hold 4 Nations Face-Off tournament in 2025 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240202210613/https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-to-hold-4-nations-face-off-tournament-in-2025 . February 2, 2024 . 2024-02-02 . NHL.
  18. Web site: 2024-06-08 . 2025 4 Nations Face-Off to take place in Montreal, Boston . 2024-06-08 . NHL.
  19. Web site: McBride . Jim . 2024-02-02 . NHL players are headed back to Olympics in 2026 — and likely to Boston for a new 2025 tournament - The Boston Globe . 2024-02-02 . Boston Globe . February 2, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240202211729/https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/02/02/sports/nhl-players-2026-olympics/ . live .
  20. Web site: NHL to stage 4 Nations Face-Off in February 2025 . 2024-05-04 . Sportsnet.ca . en . May 4, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240504202753/https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/nhl-to-confirm-four-team-international-tourney-in-montreal-and-boston-for-2025/ . live .
  21. 1778798074183508104 . frank_seravalli . Expect #NHL and #NHLPA to confirm in the near future that Montréal and Boston are the two host cities of the 4 Nations Faceoff, as previously reported. . Frank . Seravalli . 2024-04-12 . 2024-05-04.
  22. NHL, NHLPA announce 2025 4 Nations Face-Off . 2024-02-02 . NHL Public Relations . 2024-05-04 . February 2, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240202211208/https://www.nhl.com/news/nhl-nhlpa-announce-2025-4-nations-face-off . live .
  23. Web site: 2024-06-28 . "First Six" 4 Nation Rosters Unveiled . 2024-06-28 . New Jersey Devils . en . Press release.
  24. Web site: 2024-12-02 . 4 Nations Face-Off roster anticipation generating excitement among current participants . Amalie. Benjamin . 2024-12-04 . NHL.com . en.
  25. Web site: Cerullo . Chris . The Washington Capitals will have no players at the 4 Nations Face-Off . Russian Machine Never Breaks . 5 December 2024.
  26. Management group named for 2025 NHL 4 Nations Face-Off . 2024-04-12 . Hockey Canada . 2024-05-04 . April 23, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240423175206/https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/news/4-nations-management-named-2024-25-nmt . live .
  27. Web site: 2024-04-12 . Hockey Canada names Don Sweeney GM for 4 Nations Face-Off . 2024-05-04 . Sportsnet . en . Canadian Press . May 4, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240504073415/https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/hockey-canada-names-don-sweeney-gm-for-4-nations-face-off/ . live .
  28. News: 2024-06-25 . Jon Cooper named coach of Canadian men’s hockey team for 2026 Olympics, 4 Nations Face-Off . 2024-06-25 . The Globe and Mail . en-CA . The Canadian Press.
  29. News: 2024-07-31 . Canucks' Tocchet headlines Team Canada assistant coaches for 4 Nations Faceoff . 2024-11-10 . CBC . en-CA .
  30. Web site: Kunnari . Timo . 2024-03-01 . Näin Suomen NHL-tähti ylistää maanmiehiään: "Kolme supersentteriä" . 2024-05-04 . www.iltalehti.fi . fi . May 4, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240504072815/https://www.iltalehti.fi/nhl/a/d2ffd8bd-465c-4b69-96f2-30e00b65afdc . live .
  31. Web site: Toimitus . Leijonat - Aho, Barkov, Heiskanen, Lindell, Rantanen ja Saros edustavat Suomea helmikuun 4 Nations Face-Off -turnauksessa . 2024-06-29 . www.leijonat.fi . fi-fi.
  32. Web site: Leijonat valitsi pelaajia superturnaukseen – Antti Pennanen oli poissa . 2024-06-29 . www.iltalehti.fi . fi.
  33. Web site: Finland roster for 4 Nations Face-Off includes Laine . NHL.com . December 4, 2024 . December 4, 2024.
  34. Web site: 2024-06-28 . Hedman, Karlsson among 1st 6 Sweden players for 2025 4 Nations Face-Off . 2024-07-30 . NHL.com . en.
  35. Web site: D'Amico . Sydney . Daniel Alfredsson named assistant coach of Swedish Men's National Team for 4 Nations Face-Off . Ottawa Senators . December 4, 2024 . December 4, 2024.
  36. Web site: Sweden roster for 4 Nations Face-Off includes 3 players from Wild . NHL.com . December 4, 2024 . December 4, 2024.
  37. Web site: 2024-02-08 . Minnesota Wild's Bill Guerin named GM of U.S. 2026 Olympic and 2025 NHL 4-Nations Face-Off teams . 2024-05-04 . AP News . en . May 4, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240504071027/https://apnews.com/article/usa-hockey-olympics-gm-guerin-f77880729c4b96342e07965120cdbf86 . live .
  38. Web site: 2024-05-18 . Mike Sullivan Named Head Coach of Team USA for the 2025 Four Nations Face-Off and the 2026 Men's Olympic Hockey Team Pittsburgh Penguins . 2024-05-21 . www.nhl.com . en.
  39. Wild's John Hynes Named Assistant Coach of Team USA For The 4 Nations Face-Off. Loucks. Dylan. The Hockey News. June 11, 2024. October 19, 2024.
  40. Web site: USA adds Tortorella, Quinn to coaching staff for 4 Nations Face-Off. Rogers Media. August 21, 2024. Sportsnet.ca. October 19, 2024.