18-year-old Teddy Stiga picked a great time to score his first goal for Team USA at the 2025 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.
The Boston College freshman and 2024 Nashville Predators draft pick (55th overall) was the hero for the Red, White and Blue in overtime of the gold medal match Sunday against Team Finland.
Stiga found himself behind the Finnish defense in the extra period and took the puck on a breakaway, one-on-one with the goaltender and slipped it into the back of the net for the gold medal-winning score.
Stiga’s American teammates stormed the ice in celebration of the 4-3 victory. The team earned back-to-back titles for the first time in national team history, per the TSN broadcast.
While Stiga earned the glory moment Sunday, Team USA made it to the gold medal match on the backs of some near-NHL-ready talent.
Washington Capitals prospect and current Boston College sophomore Ryan Leonard earned tournament MVP honors with five goals and five assists over the course of the competition.
Teammates Gabe Perrault and Cole Hutson joined Leonard as part of the All-Star team selected by media members.
Team Finland, despite the tough loss, put forth an impressive silver medal performance which included upsetting a juggernaut Team Canada in the group stage and Team Sweden in the semifinal.
The Czech Republic earned third place over Sweden in the bronze medal match on Sunday.
