USA Hockey made an announcement today that Kevin Hayes and Matthew Kessel from the St. Louis Blues will be joining Team USA’s roster for the 2024 IIHF World Championship. The championship is set to take place from May 10-26 in Prague and Ostrava, Czechia.
Hayes, who hails from Dorchester, Massachusetts, will be representing Team USA for the third time at the World Championship, having previously participated in 2014 and 2017. Last season, in his first year with the Blues, he recorded 29 points, including 13 goals and 16 assists, along with 12 penalty minutes in 79 regular-season games. Hayes has played 10 NHL seasons, accumulating 415 points in 713 career regular-season games.
On the other hand, Kessel, a native of Scottsdale, Arizona, will be making his debut appearance for Team USA. During his rookie season in the NHL last year, he posted seven points with one goal, six assists, and 12 penalty minutes in 39 regular-season games for the Blues. Kessel was also productive with the Blues’ AHL affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds, where he tallied eight points, including three goals and five assists, and 16 penalty minutes in 36 regular-season games. He was drafted by the Blues in the fifth round of the 2020 NHL Draft.
In addition, Jordan Binnington, Colton Parayko, and Joel Hofer were announced as part of Team Canada’s roster on Friday. The championship is shaping up to be an exciting event with top talent from various NHL teams represented.