OTTAWA – USA’s title defense at the World Junior Championship will look good enough in the box score, but there will clearly be things to work on after a 10-4 win over Germany. The U.S. National Junior Team overcame some shakiness in the second period to pull away and earn a comfortable win in their opener.

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James Hagens (2025) had four points, while defenseman Cole Hutson (WSH) assisted on five of USA’s 10 goals for a tremendous opening salvo for both players’ World Junior careers.

To get you caught up on what we learned from Team USA’s win over Germany, here’s the news and notes…

Scoring Summary

USA Goals By: James Hagens (x2), Gabe Perreault (x2), Brodie Ziemer (x2), Brandon Svoboda, Trevor Connelly, Carey Terrance and Cole Eiserman

Points Leaders

• Cole Hutson (WSH) -- 0-5--5
• James Hagens (2025) - 2-2--4
• Gabe Perreault (NYR) -- 2-1--3

Observations From USA’s 10-4 Win Over Germany

USA’s Shaky Defense Going To Have To Plug Some Leaks

USA may have run away with the game, but there were signs in the opening 40 minutes that the defense has some work to do. Germany got a few good looks in transition and off of turnovers, including the second goal that arguably should have been overturned for offside. The fourth goal Germany scored came directly off of a turnover by a U.S. defenseman coming out of their zone. There just wasn’t a lot of sharpness from Team USA’s defense and if that persists against better teams, they’re going to have problems.

Zeev Buium had to play a bunch, which you don’t mind against Canada and Finland, but seeing those minutes go up against Germany is not a great sign of how the rest of the blue line was playing. 

USA’s defensive depth was always a concern coming into this tournament and the first game did little to dissuade that notion.

Trey Augustine Didn’t Have His "A" Game

Both goals against Augustine in the second period were uncharacteristic. He was so sharp in the first, taking care of a few chances with ease, but in the second, he got a piece of both pucks that ultimately beat him. He’s usually so composed and sure-handed, that those things tend not to happen. Perhaps the bright side is that those mistakes happened in a game that the team really didn’t have much of a problem in. Against better teams, those can haunt you. I’m sure Augustine will dial it back up for future starts.

He is the least of this team's concerns, especially considering how rare it is for him to have back-to-back starts below par. 

USA Finding Chemistry

Head coach David Carle said he feels like they’re starting to find the right mix, even after the game. He was effusive in his praise of the third line of Oliver Moore (CHI), Max Plante (DET) and Brodie Ziemer (BUF). That’s a trio that they feel plays the way they want to play. 

On top of that, the top line produced as it was expected with James Hagens getting four points, Gabe Perreault (NYR) getting three and Ryan Leonard (WSH) nabbing two. The second line also showed a few glimpses of gelling with Danny Nelson (NYI) between Trevor Connelly (VGK) and Cole Eiserman (NYI). Lastly, the fourth line showed some good flashes too with Carey Terrance (ANA) flanked by Brandon Svoboda (SJS) and Austin Burnevik (ANA) or Joey Willis (NSH).

Puck Management

Perreault said the team overcame being sloppy at the start of the game and pointed to puck management being an issue. That’s certainly true. It wasn’t just the defensemen who were committing turnovers. Forwards were making some questionable decisions in transition and they struggled to get chances off of what their skill could create.

On top of that, there was probably one-too-many passes on a number of odd-man chances. Not finishing on those opportunities didn’t hurt them this game, but it will in games against Finland and Canada. You’ve got to take the shots you’re given because they will be fewer and farther between against the better teams.

Key Stats From USA's Win Over Germany

56 – Shots on goal by Team USA

9 – shots on goal by Ryan Leonard

13 – Players with at least one point

5 – Assists by Cole Hutson

+7 – Cole Hutson’s plus-minus rating

Player Reports For USA Vs. Germany

James Hagens, C (2025)

Hagens was one of the more consistent players oin the game. He wasn’t flawless, but he was solid and gave USA offense when they needed it. Hagens finished the contest with two goals and two assists, scoring the first and fourth goals which both cam in keye moments of the game.

Most importantly, Hagens wasn’t just a passenger with Perreault and Leonard, which is in line with what we expected. He’s continually progressed into being a player who wants and needs the puck more, and makes the most of his chances.

Gabe Perreault, LW (NYR)

Perreault had two goals and an assist in the game, and was named USA’s best player. He scored two beautiful top-shelf goals with some authority, making the most of the chances he was given. Perreault is such a calming presence on the ice with his sure-handedness, his vision and his equally devastating release. He helped make that line go.

Zeev Buium, D (MIN)

Buium played a lot of minutes, 24:12 to be exact. He’s USA’s No. 1 defenseman and is going to be used on the power play and the PK. The lack of depth on the blue line is going to force Buium to play big minutes and that was certainly true even against Germany. Maybe he’ll play close to 30 against the tougher opponents.

Cole Hutson, D (WSH)

Five assists for Cole Hutson and it didn’t look like he broke a sweat. He had the puck an awful lot and made mostly excellent decisions. He was spotting good plays and making them easily. He was second in ice time with 20:48, putting opposing forwards and defensemen on their heels quite a bit. His deception is outstanding and he didn’t force too many plays.

Oliver Moore, C (CHI)

Moore’s line was pointed out by head coach David Carle as being a real factor at critical points in the game. Their speed was noticeable and Moore really drives that. He also was strong on the penalty kill. He had no points, but won 11 of 15 draws and was an all-purpose forward for Team USA.

Brodie Ziemer, RW (BUF)

USA’s coaching staff really seems to like Ziemer, Moore and Max Plante (DET) on the third line and they did look good a lot of the game. Ziemer scored two goals and was going hard to the net. He has a good motor to him and can be disruptive.

Follow FloHockey's Coverage Of Team USA At The WJC

FloHockey is providing comprehensive editorial and video coverage of the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship. With a team of content creators on site and leading WJC analyst Chris Peters providing stories and columns throughout the event, make FloHockey your home to learn more about the 2025 World Juniors. FloHockey will be following Team USA and Team Canada closely, while tracking the rest of the tournament on site. See all the stories here.

In addition to comprehensive editorial coverage, FloHockey is helping you learn more about Team USA with a number of video features with select players. Here's what we have so far, with more to come!

Original Video Features

• Trey Augustine Prepares For Third WJC
• James Hagens Ready For The Spotlight
• David Carle Looks To Become First Coach To Go Back-To-Back
• Carey Terrance Looking To Represent USA, Akwesasne Reservation
• Ryan Leonard Says NHL Can Wait As He Chases Another Gold With Team USA

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