92 Years Later

The last time that Americans received gold medals at the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship, the year was 1933, the tournament was in Prague, and the Americans won in overtime over Canada by a 2-1 score. Today marks another big day in American hockey history as Team USA has finally found its way back to the top of the podium thanks to their 1-0 overtime win over the Swiss in Stockholm. While the teams were significantly different in how they were built - the Massachusetts Rangers won in 1933 and consisted entirely of amateur players - seeing the Americans battle to the top of the podium without a lot of chest-pounding and back-patting is a new and refreshing look for USA Hockey. And I hope it continues.

Make no mistake: HBIC is not switching allegiances in any way. If Canada is playing, the blood in my veins will still run red-and-white for those who skate with a maple leaf on their chests. After Canada was eliminated in stunning fashion by Denmark, though, it was interesting to see the Americans quietly go about their business without attracting a lot of attention or making a lot of noise about the wins they were amassing. In short, it wasn't very American-like.

Some early setbacks and scares were enough proof that they needed to bring their best each and every game, and the team seemed to get better with every game they played. Boston Bruins netminder Jeremy Swayman went from looking like he was struggling to find the puck to being his NHL best once more by the time the Americans reached the final. After a rough NHL season, he appears to be back.

"I tell you what, this tournament and this group rejuvenated me as an individual," Swayman told reporters after the game. "I gained so much more confidence. I found my game again. I was happy again. I just learned so much. This year was obviously an up-and-down year for me personally, and to come here and be surrounded by such quality human beings and getting a job done, that's a turning point for me in my life. I couldn't be more excited for it."

That has to be a relief for Bruins fan who need their starting netminder to bounce back, so Swayman's comments are likely welcomed in Boston. That being said, Swayman's name could be among the mix for the US Olympic team once again as USA Hockey starts planning for February's Olympic tournament in Italy. No one is saying that Swayman has moved ahead of names like Hellebuyck, Oettinger, Gibson, or Demko, but his performance in Sweden and Denmark has to put him back in the conversation.

Of course, other players put their names into the mix for next year's tournament as well. Chicago's Frank Nazar led the team with 12 points, Buffalo's Tage Thompson scored some big goals once again as he finished with six goals and nine points, and Utah's Clayton Keller continued his strong play with ten points in the tournament. USA Hockey should be looking at these three for the February roster along with Columbus defenceman Zach Werenski and Utah's Logan Cooley.

I give full credit to US head coach Ryan Warsofsky for keeping the players humble as they progressed through the tournament, and he made a point of telling reporters that pride was a motivating factor for this group when one considers all that Hockey USA has accomplished outside of the IIHF World Championship.

"We talked about it when the tournament started," he said. "The first meeting we met... 1933, right? That was addressed. It's not good enough for USA Hockey. World Juniors we've won. Four Nations had a good run. Olympics is coming up. It's time for us to really put a stamp on it and this tournament is the start of it. We were embarrassed, truly embarrassed, that we hadn't won this tournament, and now we don't have to have that weight on our back."

Of course, it also helped that Detroit's Dylan Larkin issued a challenge to his American teammates about having top-level talent show up for the IIHF World Championship. Less than an hour after the United States lost to Canada in overtime, Larkin was asked by reporters about the growth of American hockey and where it may lead.

"I think we've had a tough time with USA Hockey getting guys to play in the World Championships," Larkin reflected. "I think guys are at home watching this, and I hope they are wanting a piece of this. They gotta go to the World Championships and prove themselves and play for their country. We gotta start winning that tournament."

Mission accomplished after today's victory, and that should have nations getting ready for the Olympic men's hockey tournament a little worried about the Stars-and-Stripes entry because Team USA pulled together and dug deep in winning the World Championship.

"When we got here, we all knew we wanted to be a part of something special," Tage Thompson said after the win, "and I think each guy in that room committed, whether you were playing power play, top minutes, or you were in and out of the lineup or not playing at all. Everybody was positive, pulling for each other and after one common goal. That's why we won."

With the Americans coming together, they reached the apex of international hockey this season for the first time in 92 years. It wasn't always pretty and it didn't come without some adversity, but Walt Disney once said, "A kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you". Having Larkin throw down the gauntlet and having this team struggle against the likes of Norway and Switzerland in the round-robin may have led to this team finding its groove as it played to its potential in finally capturing the gold medal again.

They did it without Matthews, without Eichel, and without Hellebuyck and Oettinger. They did it without Kyle Connor, without Jack Hughes, Quinn Hughes, or Luke Hughes, and without both Matthew and Brady Tkachuk. For all the names that weren't on the IIHF World Championship roster for the Americans, it was the guys who might be seen as the underdogs to make the Olympic team who brought home USA's first World Championship gold medal in 92 years.

Maybe that's why this was a humble group who accepted the championship trophy. Maybe that's why the memory of Johnny and Matt Gaudreau wasn't lost on this team. Maybe that's why these men should be given serious consideration for Olympic roster spots.

"It's a testament to USA Hockey," Swayman said, smiling. "We have so many talented players and it's a good thing to have the competition we do. We're raising the bar. It's a new regime. We want to make it that way. USA Hockey is here to stay and this is the first step for us to do that."

Erasing 92 years without a gold medal is a heckuva first step. And, as Swayman suggested, it could be the step needed to put USA Hockey on the map for international success for years and tournaments to come. Congratulations to Team USA on their victory.

They earned it. Humbly. Gracefully. Respectfully.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!