Blue Jackets updates: IIHF World Championship

The Blue Jackets’ season is over, but there is still hockey to be played as nine members of the organization are taking part in the IIHF World Championships, being held in Prague and Ostrava, Czechia, starting today through May 26.

Sixteen countries are taking part in the annual championship to crown a champion, with Team USA hoping to capture its first gold medal at the tournament since 1960. Canada is looking to defend its gold medal won last year in the tournament held in Finland and Latvia, while Finland won it all in 2022.

Five CBJ skaters are taking part, including three with Team USA in alternate captain Zach Werenski as well as forwards Johnny Gaudreau and Gavin Brindley. Defenseman Damon Severson is on Team Canada, while goalie Elvis Merzlikins is representing Latvia.

In addition, CBJ director of player development Rick Nash is the general manager for the Canadian squad for the first time. Also off the ice, the Blue Jackets are well represented on the United States squad by trainer Mike Vogt and equipment managers Jamie Healy and Dustin Halstead.

With each team playing in seven round-robin games, preliminary play at the event continues through May 21, with quarterfinals May 23, semifinals May 25 and the medal games May 26.

Stay tuned to this page for updates on the CBJ contingent.

Tournament Stats

Werenski (USA): 6 GP, 1-4-5, +5, 18 SOG, 23:24 TOI

Gaudreau (USA): 6 GP, 3-8-11, +8, 19 SOG, 17:02 TOI

Brindley (USA): 3 GP, 1-0-1, +1, 1 SOG, 9:35 TOI

Severson (Canada): 6 GP, 0-0-0, Even +/-, 11 SOG, 18:32 TOI

Merzlikins (Latvia), 2-1-0, 4 GP, 4.80 GAA, .826 SV%

Tuesday's CBJ Schedule

United States (Werenski, Gaudreau, Brindley) vs. Latvia (Merzlikins), 10:20 a.m. ET

Canada (Severson) vs. Czechia, 10:20 a.m. ET

CBJ Updates

Friday, May 10

Team USA opened up its tournament Friday with a setback, falling to Sweden by a 5-2 score. The good news for Blue Jackets players is both Zach Werenski and Johnny Gaudreau got on the board, Werenski with a goal that cut the lead to 2-1 in the second period and Gaudreau with an assist.

Saturday, May 11

It was a busy day at the Worlds for the CBJ contingent, with the United States posting a 6-1 win over Germany, Canada downing Great Britain by a 4-2 score, and Latvia taking a 5-4 overtime win over Poland.

Johnny Gaudreau was the star of the day for the group, posting a goal and an assist to lead the way. His tally midway through the second period gave the Americans a 3-0 lead in their first win of the tournament.

Severson played in his first game of the tournament for Canada, while Merzlikins got the OT win in net for Latvia.

Sunday, May 12

Team USA was off, while Damon Severson and Elvis Merzlikins emerged victorious in Sunday's action.

Merzlikins got the start for a second straight day in net and turned in a standout performance in Latvia's 3-2 win over France, making 27 saves before the Latvians won in overtime on Kaspars Daugavins' tally. Meanwhile, Severson and Canada eased to a 5-1 win over Denmark to improve to 2-0.

Monday, May 13

The United States was the only team with CBJ players in action, and the Americans staged a furious rally before falling 5-4 to Slovakia in overtime. Third-period goals from Shane Pinto, Brady Tkachuk and Luke Hughes erased a 4-1 deficit before the Slovaks won on Milos Kelemin's deflection. Zach Werenski was plus-2, while Johnny Gaudreau had an assist but also took a hard hit in the third period. He did return.

Tuesday, May 14

Canada and Austria may have played the game of the tournament Tuesday, but it might not have been fun for Damon Severson.

Canada held a 6-1 lead after two periods and then watched the Austrians storm all the way back with five goals in the third to send the game to overtime at 6-6. Thankfully for Canada, John Tavares played the OT hero to give the country the win, while Severson finished without a point for the third straight game.

Latvia also took to the ice for a 2-0 win over Kazakhstan, but Elvis Merzlikins was given the game off with Kristers Gudlevskis taking the cage for the shutout.

Wednesday, May 15

It was a light schedule for CBJ on Wednesday, with only Latvia and Elvis Merzlikins on the schedule. Even Merzlikins was expected to have the day off as Kristers Gudlevskis got the start in net, but he was chased from the game after Germany took a 4-0 lead. Merzlikins didn't fare much better in relief, allowing four goals on 21 shots against in an 8-1 setback.

Thursday, May 16

Both the United States and Canada used strong defensive performances to earn victories, and the Blue Jackets connection on Team USA finally got on the board.

The Americans posted a 5-0 win over France, and the fourth goal of the first period had a CBJ flavor. Zach Werenski made the play, skating the puck through traffic before dishing to Johnny Gaudreau on the right wing for a goal that could very well have happened in Nationwide Arena.

It was a busy game for Gaudreau, who had seven shots on goal. He is tied for Team USA's lead in the tournament with six points through the four games. Gavin Brindley also made his debut for the squad at the Worlds, skating on the fourth line.

Canada also skated to a 4-1 win over Norway, keeping the Norwegians without a shot on goal through 40 minutes and posting a 33-6 edge for the game.

Canada is now on top of Group A, holding an edge on Switzerland via goal differential, while the United States is in third in Group B based on a tiebreaker vs. Latvia.

Friday, May 17

Team USA continued its winning ways, moving into second place in group B with a solid 4-1 win over Poland. None of the CBJ players taking part got on the score sheet, but Brady Tkachuk's four-point game led the Americans to the win, as Team USA scored twice in the second period and twice in the third.

Saturday, May 18

Canada notched its fifth win of the tournament in as many games -- four in regulation, one in overtime -- as the squad took a 5-3 win over Finland on Saturday, with Damon Severson skating 16:21. It was a 3-3 contest between world powers before Canada pulled away with two third-period goals.

On the other side of the coin, Latvia dropped out of medal round position with a 7-2 loss to Sweden. Elvis Merzlikins started and gave up six goals on 20 shots before being replaced by Eriks Vitols.

Sunday, May 19

It was a big day for Team USA, which romped to a 10-1 win over Kazakhstan, It was an even bigger day for Johnny Gaudreau.

The Blue Jackets forward had a goal and four assists, and in the process became the all-time American record holder for assists (29) and points (43) at the tournament.

In addition to that accomplishment, Zach Werenski had three assists, while Gavin Brindley drove home a loose puck for his first-ever Worlds goal at age 19.

Elsewhere, Canada and Damon Severson claimed first place in Group A with a 3-2 win over Switzerland, while Latvia earned a big 3-2 win over Slovakia, but Elvis Merzlikins served as a backup.