While Team Canada may have not ended the 2025 IIHF Men’s World Championship the way they would have wanted to, Will Cuylle had an impressive showing at the tournament.
Cuylle joined a team full of some of the NHL’s best players including Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon, but he was still able to stand out.
The 23-year-old forward recorded two goals, two assists, and four points in eight games for Team Canada.
Throughout the tournament, Cuylle seemed to get better and look more comfortable as he brought his same physically-minded play style he’s been known for with the New York Rangers.
“We see the same thing, big, physical skates all around player,” Canada head coach Dean Evason said of Cuylle during the tournament. “It's unfortunate and or fortunate that we have 13 forwards, and some guys get not as much ice time as they normally get, so maybe don't get into the game, but we really like the way that he plays the game. His presence moving forward, his physicality, will be a big part of our success.”
Cuylle mostly played a fourth-line role, but Canada Evason shuffled the lines a couple of times and even had Cuylle playing with MacKinnon at one point.
It’s safe to say that this is just the start for Cuylle.
