Harri Pesonen celebrates a Finnish goal in his team's 2022 World Championship semi-final victory over the USA in Tampere. The teams meet again in the group stage this year.
photo: Andrea Cardin / IIHF
From defending champion and tournament host Finland to newly promoted Hungary’s first top-level tournament since 2016, there are plenty of sub-plots in Tampere. Read on for a quick primer on the eight teams contesting Group A at the 2023 IIHF World Championship.
Finland
The host nation goes for back-to-back gold after last year’s Tampere triumph. Kaapo Kakko’s return to the national team is the star attraction in 2023. Now 22, the Rangers winger had an eye-catching campaign in 2019 with seven goals and an assist to help Finland win it all in Slovakia. Back in IIHF play after four years in the NHL, it will be fascinating to see how he’s developed in that time.
The rest of Jukka Jalonen’s roster is familiar. Mikko Lehtonen, Sakari Manninen and Joel Armia, three of the four leading scorers a year ago are back, as is goalie Jussi Olkinuora. Jalonen continues to rely heavily on European-based players, but there is a call-up for Kasperi Kaponen after his encouraging end to the season in St. Louis. Expect total buy-in, strong defence and a team capable of competing for medals once more.
USA
Once again, the USA is bringing a combination of youth and experience to the Worlds. The 22 names currently confirmed on David Quinn’s roster include eight playing in the NCAA this season. However, that group includes the likes of Sean Farrell, who played Olympic and World Championship hockey last season. His Boston University teammate Drew Commesso was also on the team in Beijing, and served as understudy at the 2021 Worlds.
Meanwhile, there’s ample NHL experience from Nick Bonino, twice a bronze medallist at the World Championship with team USA. Alex Tuch comes off a hugely productive season with Buffalo, and also gets the chance to mentor his younger brother Luke, 21, who is another Boston University prospect on this team. Last year, the Americans finished fourth, losing 3-4 to Finland in the semis then 4-8 as Czechia ended its long medal drought in the bronze medal game.
Sweden
After winning back-to-back titles in 2017 and 2018, Tre Kronor have not matched their usual high standards in World Championship play. In 2021, sensationally, Sweden failed to qualify from the group stage; a final ranking of ninth was the worst since 1937. Last year, Johan Garpenlov’s team looked better in the group stage, but fell to Canada in overtime in the QF.
That was Garpenlov’s last game in charge. Sam Hallam, 43, is the new man in charge. He won three Swedish titles with Vaxjo and produced impressive results in this year’s Euro Hockey Tour. The roster is fresh, too, with 15 players poised for World Championship debuts. Their careers are diverse: Andre Pettersson gets the nod at age 32 after years on the fringes of the team, while Washington Capitals defender Rasmus Sandin is a 23-year-old looking to cement the reputation he established at the 2020 World Juniors. If this team gels, it could be a Finnish-style success. If it doesn’t, expect more tough questions for Sweden’s hockey federation.
Germany
For the fifth time in six tournaments, Germany made it out of the group stage last year. Czechia halted the run in the quarter-final but once again the Germans showed that they have grown into a significant force in international hockey. New head coach Harold Kreis has realistic hopes of at least matching that here: previously he was assistant to Uwe Krupp as Germany reached the playoffs in 2010 and 2011.
His team is boosted by three active NHLers. Forward Nico Sturm was helping the Avalanche win the cup a year ago; now he’s poised for his World Championship debut. J.J. Peterka played in Riga two years ago as an exciting teen prospect; two years on, he’s established himself with the Sabres. Finally, Red Wings defender Moritz Seider is back after an impressive tournament last year when he had 7 (2+5) points in eight games. Of the European-based players, Bern’s Dominik Kahun caught the eye with two goals in a 3-6 loss against the USA in Tuesday’s final warm-up game.
Denmark
Last year’s championship was a mixed bag for the Danes. A memorable first ever victory over Canada was the undoubted highlight, but it was followed the next day by a crushing 1-7 loss to Slovakia. That ended Denmark’s run in the group stage and summed up the team’s inconsistent tournament.
The big change on the roster is the absence of Sebastian Dahm. The 36-year-old has been a rock in the Danish net for 10 seasons, helping to cement his country’s place in the world elite. Now, Denmark goes into a tournament with three goalies who have just three games between them at this level: George Sorensen and Frederik Dichow have seen a little action, while Mathias Seldrup was an unused understudy last year. Winnipeg’s Nikolaj Ehlers is the only current NHLer on the team, but fellow forward Mikkel Bodker, now with HV71 in Sweden, played 12 seasons with the Coyotes, the Avalanche, the Sharks and the Senators.
France
The French jumped back into the top pool following the suspension of Russia and Belarus, and made the most of that opportunity last season. Wins over Kazakhstan and Italy were good enough to stay in the Elite, and Phillippe Bozon’s team will hope to build on that in 2023.
Relegation in 2019 prompted something of a change of generations for the French. Last year’s championship saw seven rookies on the team, and there are four more this time. For leadership, look to Sacha Treille, in his 13th World Championship campaign, and Alexandre Texier, the only man on the team with NHL experience. Among the new faces, Justin Addamo is intriguing. The 24-year-old played the bulk of last season in the ECHL with Wheeling Nailers but was loaned to the Penguins’ AHL affiliate and is set to continue there next term. The promising right wing could evolve into a significant player for his country.
Austria
Last year, Austria showed signs of stepping off that elevator. Roger Bader’s team finished sixth in the group stage and mixed it with the big boys. A shoot-out win over Czechia was a highlight, as was dragging the USA to overtime. True, it took a third-period fightback in the final game to defeat Great Britain and confirm Austria’s survival, but the campaign was a big success.
This term, there will be high hopes that the Austrians can finish ahead of Hungary and France to at least repeat last season’s result. Many of the key performers from 2022 are back, including scoring leaders Peter Schneider (9 points)and Dominique Heinrich (7 points), plus the solid goaltending tandem of Bernhard Starkbaum and David Kickert. Exciting youngster Marco Kasper is not available this year, but Minnesota prospect Marco Rossi, 21, could provide an offensive spark after a productive AHL campaign with the Wild.
Hungary
The Hungarians are back at the top table for the first time since 2016 after claiming silver in last year’s Division IA championship. Last time it was at this level, Hungary won its first elite pool game since before the war, but that historic success was not enough to save the team from relegation. There is top-flight experience on the roster, with two players – Gergo Nagy and Daniel Koger – in line to play at a third World Championship after also featuring in 2008. However, there’s no Mikos Rajna in goal: last year’s first choice is injured. In addition, veteran Janos Vas retired this season at the age of 39. Last season’s head coach, Sean Simpson, has also moved on to be replaced by Kevin Constantine, who has worked in Hungary for the past three seasons.
Most of Hungary’s players are based in the country and play in either the Austrian or Hungarian cross-border leagues. One exception will be very familiar with the Nokia Arena. Forward Balazs Sebok has played most of his career in Finland and represented Ilves Tampere for the past two seasons.
Finland
The host nation goes for back-to-back gold after last year’s Tampere triumph. Kaapo Kakko’s return to the national team is the star attraction in 2023. Now 22, the Rangers winger had an eye-catching campaign in 2019 with seven goals and an assist to help Finland win it all in Slovakia. Back in IIHF play after four years in the NHL, it will be fascinating to see how he’s developed in that time.
The rest of Jukka Jalonen’s roster is familiar. Mikko Lehtonen, Sakari Manninen and Joel Armia, three of the four leading scorers a year ago are back, as is goalie Jussi Olkinuora. Jalonen continues to rely heavily on European-based players, but there is a call-up for Kasperi Kaponen after his encouraging end to the season in St. Louis. Expect total buy-in, strong defence and a team capable of competing for medals once more.
USA
Once again, the USA is bringing a combination of youth and experience to the Worlds. The 22 names currently confirmed on David Quinn’s roster include eight playing in the NCAA this season. However, that group includes the likes of Sean Farrell, who played Olympic and World Championship hockey last season. His Boston University teammate Drew Commesso was also on the team in Beijing, and served as understudy at the 2021 Worlds.
Meanwhile, there’s ample NHL experience from Nick Bonino, twice a bronze medallist at the World Championship with team USA. Alex Tuch comes off a hugely productive season with Buffalo, and also gets the chance to mentor his younger brother Luke, 21, who is another Boston University prospect on this team. Last year, the Americans finished fourth, losing 3-4 to Finland in the semis then 4-8 as Czechia ended its long medal drought in the bronze medal game.
Sweden
After winning back-to-back titles in 2017 and 2018, Tre Kronor have not matched their usual high standards in World Championship play. In 2021, sensationally, Sweden failed to qualify from the group stage; a final ranking of ninth was the worst since 1937. Last year, Johan Garpenlov’s team looked better in the group stage, but fell to Canada in overtime in the QF.
That was Garpenlov’s last game in charge. Sam Hallam, 43, is the new man in charge. He won three Swedish titles with Vaxjo and produced impressive results in this year’s Euro Hockey Tour. The roster is fresh, too, with 15 players poised for World Championship debuts. Their careers are diverse: Andre Pettersson gets the nod at age 32 after years on the fringes of the team, while Washington Capitals defender Rasmus Sandin is a 23-year-old looking to cement the reputation he established at the 2020 World Juniors. If this team gels, it could be a Finnish-style success. If it doesn’t, expect more tough questions for Sweden’s hockey federation.
Germany
For the fifth time in six tournaments, Germany made it out of the group stage last year. Czechia halted the run in the quarter-final but once again the Germans showed that they have grown into a significant force in international hockey. New head coach Harold Kreis has realistic hopes of at least matching that here: previously he was assistant to Uwe Krupp as Germany reached the playoffs in 2010 and 2011.
His team is boosted by three active NHLers. Forward Nico Sturm was helping the Avalanche win the cup a year ago; now he’s poised for his World Championship debut. J.J. Peterka played in Riga two years ago as an exciting teen prospect; two years on, he’s established himself with the Sabres. Finally, Red Wings defender Moritz Seider is back after an impressive tournament last year when he had 7 (2+5) points in eight games. Of the European-based players, Bern’s Dominik Kahun caught the eye with two goals in a 3-6 loss against the USA in Tuesday’s final warm-up game.
Denmark
Last year’s championship was a mixed bag for the Danes. A memorable first ever victory over Canada was the undoubted highlight, but it was followed the next day by a crushing 1-7 loss to Slovakia. That ended Denmark’s run in the group stage and summed up the team’s inconsistent tournament.
The big change on the roster is the absence of Sebastian Dahm. The 36-year-old has been a rock in the Danish net for 10 seasons, helping to cement his country’s place in the world elite. Now, Denmark goes into a tournament with three goalies who have just three games between them at this level: George Sorensen and Frederik Dichow have seen a little action, while Mathias Seldrup was an unused understudy last year. Winnipeg’s Nikolaj Ehlers is the only current NHLer on the team, but fellow forward Mikkel Bodker, now with HV71 in Sweden, played 12 seasons with the Coyotes, the Avalanche, the Sharks and the Senators.
France
The French jumped back into the top pool following the suspension of Russia and Belarus, and made the most of that opportunity last season. Wins over Kazakhstan and Italy were good enough to stay in the Elite, and Phillippe Bozon’s team will hope to build on that in 2023.
Relegation in 2019 prompted something of a change of generations for the French. Last year’s championship saw seven rookies on the team, and there are four more this time. For leadership, look to Sacha Treille, in his 13th World Championship campaign, and Alexandre Texier, the only man on the team with NHL experience. Among the new faces, Justin Addamo is intriguing. The 24-year-old played the bulk of last season in the ECHL with Wheeling Nailers but was loaned to the Penguins’ AHL affiliate and is set to continue there next term. The promising right wing could evolve into a significant player for his country.
Austria
Last year, Austria showed signs of stepping off that elevator. Roger Bader’s team finished sixth in the group stage and mixed it with the big boys. A shoot-out win over Czechia was a highlight, as was dragging the USA to overtime. True, it took a third-period fightback in the final game to defeat Great Britain and confirm Austria’s survival, but the campaign was a big success.
This term, there will be high hopes that the Austrians can finish ahead of Hungary and France to at least repeat last season’s result. Many of the key performers from 2022 are back, including scoring leaders Peter Schneider (9 points)and Dominique Heinrich (7 points), plus the solid goaltending tandem of Bernhard Starkbaum and David Kickert. Exciting youngster Marco Kasper is not available this year, but Minnesota prospect Marco Rossi, 21, could provide an offensive spark after a productive AHL campaign with the Wild.
Hungary
The Hungarians are back at the top table for the first time since 2016 after claiming silver in last year’s Division IA championship. Last time it was at this level, Hungary won its first elite pool game since before the war, but that historic success was not enough to save the team from relegation. There is top-flight experience on the roster, with two players – Gergo Nagy and Daniel Koger – in line to play at a third World Championship after also featuring in 2008. However, there’s no Mikos Rajna in goal: last year’s first choice is injured. In addition, veteran Janos Vas retired this season at the age of 39. Last season’s head coach, Sean Simpson, has also moved on to be replaced by Kevin Constantine, who has worked in Hungary for the past three seasons.
Most of Hungary’s players are based in the country and play in either the Austrian or Hungarian cross-border leagues. One exception will be very familiar with the Nokia Arena. Forward Balazs Sebok has played most of his career in Finland and represented Ilves Tampere for the past two seasons.