When the U.S. takes the ice Thursday night against Finland at the 4 Nations Face-Off, they will do so with the deepest and most talented forward group that has ever put on a U.S. jersey at the same time. The 1996 World Cup of Hockey and 2002 Winter Olympics had its share of Hall of Famers, but this group of forwards may just be USA’s golden generation.

• Subscribe to FloHockey To Watch The ECHL, AHL, And More
• Yaroslav Askarov Leads Top NHL Prospects Back In AHL Amid 4 Nations Break
• NHL Draft 2025: USHL Standouts Dot NHL Central Scouting Mid-Term Rankings
  
• USA Defensemen And Goalies Development Path To 4 Nations Face-Off

With that in mind, I wanted to take a look at the paths they took to get to star status. Many of these players have been among the best players in their age group as youngsters. Only two forwards were not first-round selections, showing the immense growth of the talent pool in USA Hockey.

There are two first-overall picks in this forward group, Auston Matthews and Jack Hughes, but a host of varied development paths and age groups represented. This is one of the most exciting teams USA has put together on paper, but they didn’t just arrive overnight.

We already covered the defense and goalies, now let’s look at Team USA’s forwards and how they got here.

Matt Boldy, Minnesota Wild

• Millis, Massachusetts
• Birth Year: 2001 (23)
• Drafted: 2019, 1st round, 12th overall
• NHL Seasons: 4

Development Path

Dexter Southfield School (Mass.)/Cape Cod Whalers AAA > NTDP (USHL) 2 years > Boston College (NCAA) 2 years > Iowa Wild (AHL) > Minnesota Wild (NHL)

Boldy spent a lot of years being underappreciated because of how talented his 2001 birth year was, but his NHL career has made believers out of anyone who perhaps didn’t notice as much. He played on that vaunted 2001 NTDP team with Jack Hughes, Cole Caufield, Trevor Zegras and more, but has blossomed into a high-end two-way winger who can produce at the NHL level. He did so after a two successful seasons at BC before a brief stint in the AHL. It didn't take Boldy long to make his way to the NHL and make an impact. 

Kyle Connor, Winnipeg Jets

• Clinton Township, Michigan
• Birth Year: 1996 (28)
• Drafted: 2015, 1st round, 17th overall
• NHL Seasons: 9

Development Path

Belle Tire 16U AAA > Youngstown Phantoms (USHL) 3 years > University of Michigan (NCAA) 1 year > Manitoba Moose (AHL) 1 year > Winnipeg Jets (NHL)

Connor wasn’t exactly a late bloomer, but because of his December birthday, he didn’t necessarily accelerate up the ranks as quickly as you might think for a high-end goal scorer in the NHL. In fact, Connor played an extra season in the USHL to prepare for college and ended up at Michigan as a dominant freshman who I still can’t believe didn’t win the Hobey Baker that year. Even after being one-and-done in school, he needed more time to develop and spent 52 games in the AHL with Manitoba before rising to full-time status the next season, becoming a 30-goal scorer in his official rookie year. The only season he didn’t score 30 goals in the NHL was the COVID-shortened 2020-21 campaign.

Kyle Connor (@KyleConnor18) @YtownPhantoms named both #USHL Player of Year & Forward of Year http://t.co/msPcFlPMmo pic.twitter.com/BHw2NWpAV1

— USHL (@USHL) May 27, 2015

Jack Eichel, Vegas Golden Knights

• North Chelmsford, Massachusetts
• Birth Year: 1996 (28)
• Drafted: 2015, 1st round, 2nd overall (BUF)
• NHL Seasons: 10

Development Path

Boston Jr. Bruins (EmJHL) > NTDP (USHL) 2 years > Boston University (NCAA) 1 year > Buffalo Sabres (NHL) > Vegas Golden Knights (NHL)

Eichel was essentially a known prodigy as a young player and was predestined for NHL stardom it seemed. He played junior hockey at both 14 and 15 in the old Empire Junior Hockey League which was absorbed by the USPHL years later. He went straight to the NTDP, did two years there, did one year at BU where he won the Hobey Baker and he was in the NHL right after his draft season. Eichel was the No. 2 pick behind Connor McDavid and played some of his best hockey during the Golden Knights' run to the Stanley Cup Final.

Jake Guentzel, Tampa Bay Lightning

• Omaha, Nebraska
• Birth Year: 1994 (30)
• Drafted: 2013, 3rd round, 77th overall (PIT)
• NHL Seasons: 9

Development Path

Hill-Murray High School (Minnesota) 2 years > Sioux City Musketeers (USHL) 1 year > University of Nebraska Omaha (NCAA) 3 years > Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins (AHL) > Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL) > Carolina Hurricanes (NHL) > Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL)

One of the more deliberate paths for development, Guentzel had a lot of physical maturing to do after high school. But his late birthdate also afforded him the chance to get to the USHL a little bit older than most and he was able to dominate as the USHL Rookie of the Year. Born in Nebraska, he spent a good chunk of his life in Minnesota. But he returned to his birth state to play for Dean Blais at Nebraska Omaha and will go down as one of that school’s most important alumni. He took some time in the AHL, but soon was with the Penguins and playing at a high level, becoming a Stanley Cup champion early in his career. This last offseason, he was among the most sought-after free agents in the game.

Jack Hughes, New Jersey Devils

• Orlando, Florida 
• Birth Year: 2001 (23)
• Drafted: 2019, 1st round, 1st overall
• NHL Seasons: 6

Developmet Path

Toronto Marlboros U16 AAA (GTHL) > NTDP (USHL) 2 years > New Jersey Devils (NHL)

Of all the players on this roster, Hughes had the shortest route to the NHL. Born in Florida, but raised in Boston, New Hampshire and Toronto as his father Jim moved around in his coaching career, Hughes played a lot of youth hockey in Canada. After setting the career scoring record at the NTDP, he became the first player to go direct from the NTDP to the NHL. His first year was a little rocky, but Hughes has more than made the adjustment, becoming one of the league’s biggest stars. Few players have been on as rapid an ascent to the NHL as Hughes was, especially among American players.

Who said Sundays are for football? Jack Hughes and the U17s don't think so! #SCtop10 #USAvsGB #NTDP pic.twitter.com/bRfwMK2VjR

— USA Hockey’s NTDP (@USAHockeyNTDP) October 22, 2017

Chris Krieder, New York Rangers 

• Boxford, Massachusetts
• Birth Year: 1991 (33)
• Drafted: 2009, 1st round, 19th overall
• NHL Seasons: 14

Development Path

Phillips Andover (Mass. Prep) 2 years > Boston College (NCAA) 3 years > New York Rangers (NHL) > Connecticut Whale (AHL) > New York Rangers (NHL)

Kreider traveled a more traditional path that we are starting to see less frequently in the modern development path. He went from Massachussets high school hockey to a couple years in prep school before going right into college. He was a first-round pick out of prep school, then spent three years at BC before turning pro and jumping right into the Stanley Cup Playoffs with the Rangers. He still played 48 games the following season in the AHL before becoming a full-time NHLer and an eventual 50-goal scorer. Kreider was one of those players whose physical tools would have likely allowed him to excel choosing any route, but he still didn’t rush the process and has built an impressive NHL career that has seen him score more than 300 career goals.

Dylan Larkin, Detroit Red Wings

• Waterford Township, Michigan
• Birth Year: 1996 (28)
• Drafted: 2014, 1st round, 15th overall
• NHL Seasons: 10

Development Path

Belle Tire 16U AAA > NTDP (USHL) 2 years > University of Michigan (NCAA) 1 year > Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) > Detroit Red Wings (NHL)

It is extremely rare for a player to play the entirety of his developmental hockey and pro career in one state, but that is what Michigander Dylan Larkin has done. The furthest he played from Detroit was his six-game run with the Grand Rapids Griffins during the 2015 Calder Cup Playoffs. Part of the 1996 birth year during which he was sometimes overshadowed by Jack Eichel, Larkin was integral to a U18 gold medal, had a dominant freshman season at Michigan and was in the NHL by the time he should have been a sophomore in college. Larkin has led a bit of a charmed developmental existence, playing close to home and living out a childhood dream of being captain of his hometown team.

Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs

• Scottsdale, Arizona
• Birth Year: 1997 (27)
• Drafted: 2016, 1st round, 1st overall
• NHL Seasons: 9

Development Path

Arizona Bobcats 16U AAA > NTDP (USHL) 2 years > ZSC Lions (Swiss NLA) 1 year > Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL)

Matthews will likely end his career as one of the greatest American-born players in the history of the sport. Born in California, raised in Arizona, he did not leave home in his youth hockey years. He played through his 15-year-old season in his native Arizona before going to the NTDP and posting (at the time) the highest point total of any player ever. Matthews deviated from literally every other North American player for his draft season. Feeling as thought neither college or junior hockey was the best fit for him and because he would turn 18 early enough, he went pro in Europe. It was unprecedented and hasn’t really been repeated. He jumped right into the NHL, scored 40 goals in his first season and has never dipped below 34 in a single season. We’ve been waiting to see him in a best-on-best from the very beginning and now he gets his shot as USA’s captain. 

Congratulations to Auston Matthews (@A_Matthews34), who now owns the #NTDP single-season points record! pic.twitter.com/AuJNBVT6QD

— USA Hockey’s NTDP (@USAHockeyNTDP) April 17, 2015

J.T. Miller, New York Rangers

• East Palestine, Ohio
• Birth Year: 1993 (31)
• Drafted: 2011, 1st round, 15th overall
• NHL Seasons: 13

Development Path

Pittsburgh Hornets AAA > NTDP (USHL) 2 years > Plymouth Whalers (OHL) 1 year > Connecticut Whale/Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL) 3 years > New York Rangers (NHL) > Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL) > Vancouver Canucks (NHL) > New York Rangers

Miller was born during Pittsburgh’s first big boom of hockey fans after the Penguins first two Stanley Cups in 1991 and 1992. In nearby East Palestine, Ohio, Miller got into it at an early age. He soon rose up the ranks and played up in U18 AAA as a 16-year-old. A couple of years at the NTDP led him to being picked by the Rangers in the first round. He spent his draft-plus-one season as a Plymouth Whaler in the OHL after deciding against going to the University of North Dakota where he was committed. Over the next three seasons, he split time between the AHL and NHL with the Rangers. He started gaining traction in the league as a full-timer in 2015-16, but had the best years of his career in Vancouver, becoming a perennial 30-goal scorer and closing in on 100 points. Now he’s back where his NHL career began looking to start anew.

Brock Nelson, New York Islanders

• Warroad, Minnesota
• Birth Year: 1991 (33)
• Drafted: 2010, 1st round, 30th overall
• NHL Seasons: 13

Development Path 

Warroad High School (Minn.) > University of North Dakota (NCAA) 2 years > Bridgeport Sound Tigers (AHL) 1 year > New York Islanders (NHL)

Nelson’s path to the NHL seems almost quaint now as it was the traditional path for many Minnesota-born players. As a member of the legendary Christian family, he played for the historic Warroad H.S. program through his senior season. Then it was two years at North Dakota where he had an explosive sophomore season before turning pro. He spent one full season in the AHL before joining the Islanders full time in 2013-14. Nelson might be one of the most underappreciated players in the NHL as he blossomed into a high-end two-way player who can score 30 goals on the regular. USA’s biggest successes on the international stage have often included a Warroad native.

Brady Tkachuk, Ottawa Senators

• Phoenix, Arizona
• Birth Year: 1999 (25)
• Drafted: 2018, 1st round, 4th overall
• NHL Seasons: 7

Development Path

St. Louis Blues AAA > NTDP (USHL) 2 years > Boston University (NCAA) 1 year > Ottawa Senators (NHL)

Growing up primarily in St. Louis afforded Tkachuk a chance to play alongside future NHLers and be coached by several former NHLers. He quickly became an impact player at the NTDP and with a late birthdate, played his draft season at Boston University, dad Keith’s alma mater. It was one-and-done for Brady, before heading to the NHL and quickly ascending to the captaincy of the Senators.

MATTHEW. AND BRADY. TEAMMATES. 🇺🇸🇺🇸

The Tkachuk’s take center stage TONIGHT at #4Nations pic.twitter.com/vAD8IRHuU4

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) February 13, 2025

Matthew Tkachuk, Florida Panthers

• Scottsdale, Arizona
• Birth Year: 1997 (27)
• Drafted: 2016, 1st round, 6th overall (CGY)
• NHL Seasons: 9

Development Path

St. Louis Blues AAA > NTDP (USHL) 2 years > London Knights (OHL) 1 year > Calgary Flames (NHL) > Florida Panthers (NHL)

Born in Arizona while dad Keith played for the Coyotes, most of Matthew’s developmental hockey was played in St. Louis, where his parents still reside. He came up through the ranks with many NHL alumni sons in St. Louis, but few have matched the exploits of the elder Tkachuk. As a December birthday, Tkachuk decided to spend his draft season in the OHL after two seasons at the NTDP. He helped the London Knights win the Memorial Cup and after one year was in the NHL, making an instant impact. Now he’s a Stanley Cup champion and part of Team USA’s core.

Vincent Trocheck, New York Rangers

• Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
• Birth Year: 1993 (31)
• Drafted: 2011, 3rd round, 64th overall (FLA)
• NHL Seasons: 12

Development Path

Little Caesars AAA > Saginaw Spirit (OHL) 4 years > Plymouth Whalers (OHL) > San Antonio Rampage (AHL) 2 years > Florida Panthers (NHL) > Carolina Hurricanes (NHL) > New York Rangers (NHL)

One of only two forwards on USA’s roster that wasn’t selected in the first round, Trocheck was still widely considered a top American player in his age group. The Pittsburgh native played a chunk of his youth hockey in Michigan, playing for Little Caesars before matriculating to the OHL. He had a chance to go to the NTDP,  but chose the OHL route instead. He played out his eligibility, won a World Junior gold in 2013, and spent parts of two seasons in the AHL before becoming a full-time NHLer with the Panthers where he would routinely put up 50 or more points. Trocheck has found his footing as a two-way, middle-six scoring forward with versatility and scoring ability.  

How To Watch The 4 Nations Face Off 2025

The 4 Nations Face-Off will be streaming on MAX, truTV, TNT, SN, TVAS, ESPN, ESPN+ and ABC—depending on the game. View the full streaming schedule below.

Wednesday, February 12

• 8:00 p.m. ET - Canada vs Sweden (MAX, truTV, TNT, SN, TVAS)

Thursday, February 13

• 8:00 p.m. ET - United States vs Finland  (ESPN, ESPN+, SN, TVAS)

Saturday, February 15

• 1:00 p.m. ET - Finland vs Sweden (ABC, ESPN+, SN, TVAS)
• 8:00 p.m. ET - United States vs Canada (ABC, ESPN+, SN, TVAS)

Monday February 17

• 1:00 p.m. ET - Canada vs Finland (MAX, truTV, TNT, SN, TVAS)
• 8:00 p.m. ET - Sweden vs United States (MAX, truTV, TNT, SN, TVAS)

Thursday, February 20

• 8:00 p.m. ET - Championship Game (ESPN, ESPN+, SN, TVAS)

Watch AHL, ECHL, USHL And More On FloHockey

FloHockey is the streaming home to some of the best hockey leagues in North America, including the AHL, ECHL and more. Check out the broadcast schedule to watch more hockey.

NHL Prospect Coverage On FloHockey

The best, and most complete, coverage of the NHL minor league hockey and NHL Draft is found on FloHockey. Don't miss the latest new prospect guides, rankings and more from Chris Peters and the FloHockey staff.

Join The Hockey Conversation On FloHockey Social

• Follow us on Twitter @FloHockey
• Follow us on Instagram @flohockey
• Follow us on TikTok @flohockeytv
• Watch us on YouTube
• Like us on Facebook