In 2016, the World Cup of Hockey introduced one of the most exciting teams ever assembled: Team North America. This special under-23 team featured the top young talents from Canada and the United States. The tournament, organized by the NHL and NHL Players' Association, took place from September 17 to October 1, 2016, at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, and featured eight teams in a round-robin group stage followed by semifinals and a best-of-three final.
Connor McDavid, a key player for Team North America.
Roster and Key Players
The star power on Team North America was immense. Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews, Dylan Larkin, Johnny Gaudreau, Aaron Ekblad, and Nathan MacKinnon were just a few of the All-Stars, captains, and franchise cornerstones on the roster.
Injuries prompted one key replacement: Calgary Flames center Sean Monahan, originally selected, withdrew due to a back injury sustained in training camp and was replaced by Florida Panthers forward Vincent Trocheck on September 2, 2016, to maintain roster depth without further disruptions.
Forward Lines
During training camp and the exhibition game against Team Europe on September 11, 2016, coach Todd McLellan experimented with line combinations to maximize speed and chemistry, starting with a top line of Connor McDavid centering Jack Eichel on right wing and Johnny Gaudreau on left wing.
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- Connor McDavid: The Edmonton Oilers' first overall pick in 2015, exploded for 48 points in 45 games during his injury-shortened 2015-16 rookie season, showcasing his unparalleled acceleration and vision.
- Jack Eichel: Buffalo's second overall selection in 2015, anchored the Sabres' offense with 56 points as a rookie, earning Calder Memorial Trophy votes for his two-way play.
The second line featured Jonathan Drouin at left wing, Nathan MacKinnon at center, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins on right wing, reuniting skilled playmakers with strong junior pedigrees. Drouin, a 2013 third overall pick, contributed 13 points in 40 games for Tampa Bay in 2015-16 after a brief AHL stint, displaying his creativity and shot.
A third line paired Auston Matthews at center with Mark Scheifele on left wing and Brandon Saad on right wing, blending rookie promise with proven production. Matthews, the 2016 first overall pick, entered the tournament without NHL experience but dominated internationally with 24 goals in 36 games for ZSC Lions in the Swiss National League A during 2015-16.
Scheifele led Winnipeg with 66 points in 2015-16, emerging as a top-line center with faceoff prowess and 29 goals. Saad, a 2011 fourth-rounder, notched 31 goals for Columbus in 2015-16, prized for his consistent scoring and forechecking.
Defense and Goaltending
Team North America's defense included players like Aaron Ekblad, Shayne Gostisbehere, and Seth Jones, blending size and mobility. The goaltending corps consisted of young netminders under the age of 24, selected to bring high-upside potential to the roster.
- John Gibson: Wore jersey number 36 and played for the Anaheim Ducks in the NHL, where he had established himself as the team's primary starter during the 2015-16 season with 43 appearances, posting a .918 save percentage.
- Matt Murray: Donned number 30 and was with the Pittsburgh Penguins, having just won the Stanley Cup as a rookie in 2016 after appearing in 26 regular-season games with a .923 save percentage.
The bottom-six forwards included Dylan Larkin, J.T. Compher, Sean Couturier, and Vincent Trocheck, providing depth and versatility.
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| Name | Jersey # | Position | Nationality | NHL Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aaron Ekblad | 5 | RD | Canada | Florida Panthers |
| Shayne Gostisbehere | 53 | LD | United States | Philadelphia Flyers |
| Seth Jones | 3 | RD | United States | Columbus Blue Jackets |
| Ryan Murray | 27 | RD | Canada | Columbus Blue Jackets |
| Colton Parayko | 55 | RD | Canada | St. Louis Blues |
Getting to Know: Team North America
Tournament Performance
Team North America played its first pre-tournament game on September 8, 2016. They defeated Team Europe 4-0 at the Videotron Centre, in Quebec City. The rematch on September 11, 2016, at Bell Centre in Montreal saw Team North America prevail 7-4, exploding for five first-period goals to set the tone.
Team North America opened the preliminary round of the 2016 World Cup of Hockey on September 18 against Team Finland at Air Canada Centre in Toronto, securing a convincing 4-1 victory that showcased their explosive speed and offensive depth. Jack Eichel scored the game's first goal on a power play at 5:03 of the opening period, assisted by Auston Matthews and Connor McDavid, followed by a dominant second period where Johnny Gaudreau, Jonathan Drouin, and Nathan MacKinnon added goals to build a 4-0 lead; Valtteri Filppula replied late for Finland in the third.
In their second Group B matchup on September 19, Team North America fell 4-3 to Team Russia in a high-scoring affair marked by a pivotal second-period collapse and a furious third-period rally.
Team North America rebounded in their final preliminary-round game on September 21 against Team Sweden, rallying from a late tie to win 4-3 in overtime.
With a 2-1-0 record, 11 goals for and eight against for a +3 goal differential, Team North America finished third in Group B behind Sweden (2-0-1, five points, +2 differential) and Russia (2-1-0, four points, +3 differential but advanced via head-to-head win over North America), and thus out of playoff contention. Russia's concurrent 3-0 victory over Finland confirmed the standings.
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Despite the 4-3 overtime win over Sweden, they were eliminated when Russia defeated Finland 3-0 in the other Group B game on September 22, securing the second semifinal spot via the head-to-head result against North America. The tournament format advanced only the top two teams from each group to the single-elimination semifinals, with no further games for non-qualifiers.
Team North America's roster at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
Legacy and Impact
Team North America's participation in the 2016 World Cup of Hockey significantly accelerated the development of several young players, many of whom emerged as NHL superstars in the years following the tournament. The team received widespread praise for its dynamic, high-speed playstyle, which emphasized skill, transition offense, and end-to-end action, captivating audiences despite the under-24 age restriction.
The NHL Players' Association noted that the team "lived up to the hype, showcasing their high level of skill and speed... In terms of legacy, Team North America underscored the exceptional depth of North American hockey prospects, featuring future NHL scoring leaders like McDavid and Matthews who now rank among the league's top producers. This showcase influenced discussions around innovative international formats, contributing to the NHL's exploration of youth-focused events beyond traditional national teams.