Will Cuylle Wants To Give Back To Canada At World Championship

After a breakout second year in the NHL with the New York Rangers, Will Cuylle is ready for more. 

Cuylle went from noticeable to extremely impactful as he recorded 20 goals, 25 assists, and 45 points in 82 games this season. 

His emergence led to a call from Team Canada to play at the 2025 IIHF Men’s World Championship in Stockholm, Sweden, and for Cuylle, his answer was a no-brainer. 

“Anytime you can represent your country it’s an honor,” Cuylle said. “I kind of want to give back to Canada and everything it’s done for me, giving me the opportunity to play hockey. I've always played Hockey Canada, U-17, U-18, World Juniors, so I've kind of been with them the whole way. To get another chance with them is great and I can never turn it down.”

So far, the 23-year-old has slotted on a line with Phillip Danault and Barrett Hayton.

While Cuylle hasn’t recorded any points through Team Canada’s first two games of the tournament, Cuylle has been playing that same hard-nosed brand of hockey he’s been known for in New York. 

Regardless of how big or small his role with Team Canada may be, Cuylle emphasized that he just wants to do whatever head coach Dean Evason asks of him. 

“I think I just want to come out here and play hard,” Cuylle said about his individual goals for the World Championship. “Obviously, I want to contribute in any way I can, whatever role I’m in, so that’s where my head is at right now.”

Cuylle joins a long list of star talent on Team Canada including the likes of Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, and Marc-André Fleury.

It’s already a worthwhile experience being able to represent your country let alone play on a team filled with some of the NHL’s best talent. 

“It's great. I mean a lot of the great hockey minds you can learn a lot from,” Cuylle said. “I think just being around them, our team's full of winners. I think there's lots to learn for me, especially from guys like that who have been in the league for a while. Good leaders, good players, and just trying to soak it all in as much as I can.”

Team Canada currently holds a 2-0 record after wins against Team Slovenia and Team Latvia.