Melbourne Ice coach Kerry Goulet (centre) has been bringing the US v Canada rivalry to Australia for more than a decade. Canberra Brave teammates American Matt Clark (left) and Canadian Joel Hasselman are ready to go toe-to-toe. Photo: Nicholas Ward.
The “greatest sports rivalry in history” is coming to Canberra as some of ice hockey’s biggest stars arrive for a classic showdown between the US and Canada.
The Ice Hockey Classic, starting at the AIS Arena on 26 July, will be the first time the two countries have played in Canberra.
The Classic will feature three games, kicking off with a David and Goliath match between Team USA and the Canberra Brave, followed by the main event between the legendary rivals Canada and the US on 1 and 2 August.
Brave teammates – American defender Matt Clark and Canadian goalkeeper Joel Hasselman – played up the rivalry at the Ice Hockey Classic press announcement this week.
Clark, who will be playing defence in the US-Braves matchup, said it felt strange going up against his home country but he’s vowed to give it his all.
“It’s pretty strange because I am American, playing against the US. It’s kind of like I don’t know how to feel. But, you know, hockey is hockey and I’m just gonna go out there and try to win the game,” he said.
Hasselman said it would be a tough game but they have a good team. And as a Canadian, he will be bringing some of that rivalry to bear against the Americans.
“It just runs deep for your entire life. It’s like nobody wants to give an inch for the entire thing. You never want to lose,” he said.
“They’ll be a good team. But I like our squad. I like our chances and I think that we should be able to come up with a win.”
The Classic has previously brought some of ice hockey’s biggest names Down Under.
Legendary player Wayne Gretzky, who was an ambassador in 2022, said he couldn’t believe the demand after a match in Sydney sold more than 20,000 tickets.
The team lists are not yet out but Ice Hockey Classic director and Melbourne Ice coach Kerry Goulet said there would be some excellent players on hand.
“This is not just a hockey game, this is a marquee international sports event,” Goulet said.
“None of the players get paid to come, it’s all voluntary for our charity StopConcussions Global Foundation.
Kerry Goulet, Matt Clark, Joel Hasselman and Brave CEO Stephen Campbell are ready for action as Canberra is set to host the 2025 Ice Hockey Classic. Photo Nicholas Ward.
“They help support players and families that are dealing with, obviously, the cause, effect and consequences of the injury.”
Goulet praised Brave CEO Stephen Campbell as being instrumental in bringing the Classic together.
Campbell, who also oversaw the Brave’s move to the AIS this season, said getting the Classic to Canberra showed the growing popularity of ice hockey.
“It demonstrates the phenomenal success of moving to the AIS. When we first made the announcement, we were confident that it was the right decision to bring the Braves here and this only reaffirms that decision,” he said.
“In the process, we demonstrated there is an appetite for high-level hockey in Canberra and as a consequence, we’ve managed to secure the classic US versus Canada games here in Canberra for the very first time.”
All five Brave games so far this season have sold out.
The US recently lost the four-nations face-off to Canada earlier this year.
For Canada it will be an opportunity to show their game isn’t slipping after falling to fourth in the International Ice Hockey Federation world rankings behind the US in second (Australia is 36th).
Tickets go on sale through Ticketek on Thursday (3 July). Visit Ice Hockey Classic for details.
