Gophers Unleashed: The Dynamic World of Minnesota Athletics

OTTAWA, Ontario – Golden Gophers men’s hockey athletes Oliver Moore and Brodie Ziemer together with associate head coach Steve Miller assisted the United States in securing a gold medal at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship Sunday evening. The Americans staged an exciting rally for a thrilling, 4-3 overtime win against Finland before nearly 17,000 spectators at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, Ontario.

Ziemer ranked fifth on the team in scoring with seven points in seven matches, including an assist on the gold-medal-winning goal against Finland on Sunday. The freshman scored two goals during his tournament debut against Germany (Dec. 26), initiating a three-game point streak for the native of Chaska, Minn. He registered points in five of his seven games, featuring two multi-point performances following a two-assist showing in the quarterfinal confrontation with Switzerland (Jan. 2).

Moore compiled a five-point tournament with a goal and four assists as the Minnesota sophomore achieved back-to-back championships in the Red, White, and Blue after triumphing in 2024. He earned points in four of five games leading to the finals, with three of his overall five points being recorded during the medal round, bolstered by a two-assist game against Switzerland (Jan. 2) in the quarterfinals.

Guiding the American team for the eighth occasion in his career, Gophers’ associate head coach Steve Miller played a pivotal role in leading the squad to yet another title as an assistant coach. Miller managed the U.S. defensemen and directed its penalty-killing unit.

The Maroon and Gold have had representation by at least one player at the tournament in 46 of the 49 years it has taken place, including now 11 players who have secured a gold medal, with Moore being the sole Gophers’ player to win the event two times.

This marked the first time ever that Team USA has clinched consecutive titles and the seventh overall gold medal at the IIHF World Junior Championship, the previous six being won in 2024, 2021, 2017, 2013, 2010, and 2004.

Next year’s IIHF World Junior Championship will be held at 3M Arena at Mariucci and the Xcel Energy Center in collaboration with the University of Minnesota, Minnesota Sports and Events, and Minnesota Wild from Dec. 26, 2025-Jan. 5, 2026. Ticket packages are currently available HERE.