The Hockey News

In our 2025 Rookie Issue, our cover story focuses on Dustin Wolf, the Calgary keeper who’s “jumped” in to help the team in its surprising playoff push. We also profile other sensational NHL freshmen: Macklin Celebrini, Matvei Michkov and Logan Stankoven. In addition, we look at some of the top rookies from the PWHL, the AHL and the CHL, and we preview the NHL trade deadline, with breakdowns for all 32 clubs.

DUSTIN’S JUST IN TIME

MASTHEAD

RUSSIA & BELARUS RETURN ONLY WHEN WAR IS OVER

DEEP IMPACT • The reverberations from the NCAA’s rule change have spread across the hockey world, but perhaps no league is feeling the fallout more than the USHL

BEHIND THE MASK

JERSEY HOUND

NO NATIONS-O-METER • The 4 Nations Face-Off is chock full of stars, but some top talents might feel they were snubbed. These six had a case but didn’t make the final cut

IN THE CARDS

THE COUNTDOWN • Age is just a number? Sure. It helps show where a team stands, but it needs context to really tell the tale

PUCK CULTURE • In celebration of Black History Month, here is a look at the rookie cards of eight Black players who had lasting impacts on the sport

POWERFUL PRESENTATION • Brock McGillis’ Shift Makers Tour continues to impact the hockey world as it rolls through its second season

WHEN HOCKEY MEETS PROSE • Many of the world’s most notable wordsmiths have included dispatches about the game and its stars

‘WE LOVED HIM’ • From his decision to start Ken Dryden to his handwritten scouting reports and notes, Al MacNeil made an enduring mark on the game and its community

INTERNATIONAL APPETIZER • To be sure, compared to the Olympics, the 4 Nations Face-Off – a custom-made NHL event with handpicked teams and an abbreviated schedule – is a side dish. But it still offers best-on-best international intrigue, as well as a sneak peek at what may transpire at the 2026 Winter Games

GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY • At 37, Sidney Crosby is set to suit up for Team Canada for the first time in nearly a decade – and it’s a chance at another gold medal and to add to his already legendary status on the international stage

HILLS STILL TO CLIMB • Canada enters the 4 Nations Face-Off with huge expectations and boasting a diverse array of talent fit to win games in a variety of ways. The biggest question comes in net, but what Canada’s stoppers lack in individual honors, they make up for in Cup-winning experience

LOCKED & LOADED • The U.S. stumbled at the most recent international best-on-best showdowns in 2014 and 2016. But that was then, and this is now – and Team USA heads into the 4 Nations stacked at every position

DEPTH PERCEPTION • Sweden doesn’t have superstar scoring power, but that might not really be a problem thanks to a stellar defense corps and experience in net

REGARD FOR THE UNDERDOG • Finland lacks elite scoring up front. They’re heavy-footed on defense. And they have questions in net. But then again, you can never count them out in big-time events

HISTORY LESSON • The 4 Nations Face-Off will produce some memorable moments, but only time will tell if any will usurp these classics from years gone by

NEW KID IN TOWN • ‘Mack’s probably even more dynamic.’ To be clear, nobody is saying Macklin Celebrini is the next Sidney Crosby – but there is a remarkable similarity in their skill set, work ethic and will to win

THE EDUCATION OF MATVEI MICHKOV • Flyers rookie Matvei Michkov arrived in the NHL two years sooner than was expected, and he immediately turned heads with his offensive exploits. The defensive side of the game? OK, yes, there’s still work to do. But it’s all part of the learning curve for the hyper-talented puck prodigy

MEASURE OF SUCCESS • There’s no getting around it –...