Ryan Leonard and Cole Hutson are the 2025 World Juniors champions. Two Washington Capitals prospects will win gold medals after Team USA defeated Team Finland 4-3 in overtime on Sunday night.
After scoring two goals late in the second half to level the game 3-3, the United States sealed their victory 8:04 into the first overtime period. Teddy Stiga scored the game-winning goal after getting a fantastic lead pass from Zeev Buium and sneaking the ball five-hole on Petteri Rimpinen.
Leonard and Hutson scored four points (1g, 3a) in the win. They were first and second on the team in scoring. Leonard was voted the tournament’s MVP after scoring 10 points (5 goals, 5 assists) in seven games, while Hutson led the tournament in scoring with 11 points (3 goals, 8 assists) in seven games.
Both players earned spots on the media’s all-star squad.
Tournament All-Star Team, as voted by the media:
G: Petteri Rimpinen
D: Cole Hutson (WSH)
D: Axel Sandin Pellikka (DET)
F: Ryan Leonard (WSH)
F: Jakub Stancl (STL)
F: Gabe Perreault (NYR)Team USA has won back-to-back World Juniors gold medals for the first time in the nation’s history. This year’s gold is their seventh (2025, 2024, 2021, 2017, 2013, 2010, 2004). Only the Soviet Union (8) and Canada (20) have won more than them.
The Americans have already won 16 medals in all at the competition, with two silvers (2019, 1997) and seven bronzes (2023, 2018, 2016, 2011, 2007, 1992, 1986).
As team captain, Leonard was the first to lift the championship trophy, which he subsequently gave to his colleagues.
He also led the traditional “Oh, mama, don’t you cry” chant in the locker room.
Seven of Team USA’s nine gold medal appearances have resulted in wins.
Four of the seven victories included Capitals prospects. Leonard and Hutson won gold in 2025, Leonard and Ryan Chesley won gold in 2024, Riley Barber got one in 2013, and John Carlson famously scored a golden goal for the United States in 2010.
Leonard finishes his career at the under-20 event with two gold medals and only one loss in fourteen games. Hutson is eligible to return to Team USA next year.Leonard wraps up his career at the under-20 event with two gold medals and just one loss in 14 games. Hutson is eligible to return for Team USA next year.
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