Nazar’s elite potential on display with Team USA

Feature Photo: Getty Images

Showcasing his elite skillset amongst top-tier competition is nothing new for Frank Nazar.

Before he displayed his talents for a gold medal-winning Team USA on the world stage at the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in Stockholm, Sweden, and Herning, Denmark, Nazar was getting an early look at high-level hockey through the NHLPA Rookie Showcase – an annual event held in partnership with Upper Deck to showcase some of the top NHL draft prospects and rookies.

The experience proved eye-opening for Nazar.

“It was cool to be part of that with the younger guys coming into the league at the same time,” the Detroit native told NHLPA.com. “I was there with people I played with, but some who I played against and had never met. You realize everyone is in the same boat and people share their stories.”

Macklin Celebrini [the first overall NHL Draft pick in 2024], Cutter Gauthier [Anaheim Ducks], Lane Hutson [Montreal Canadiens] and 2023 fourth-overall pick Will Smith [San Jose Sharks] among the notable players who also attended the showcase.

“I was pretty shy when I was there, getting to know the NHL life, but once I went there and met guys my age, it made me feel a lot more comfortable,” said Nazar, the 13th overall pick of the Chicago Blackhawks in 2022. “It helped me a lot.”

After playing in his first three NHL games in 2023-24, Nazar, who also skated that season with the University of Michigan, joined the Blackhawks in 2024-25 after 21 games with the team’s AHL affiliate in Rockford.

The centre finished his NHL regular season on a high note, posting 12 goals and 26 points in 53 games – including nine points in his final eight appearances.

Not long after Chicago’s season ended, Nazar got the call to play for Team USA at the world championship, where his performance was, quite fittingly, world class.

Nazar, 21, played a leading role in helping Team USA capture its first gold medal at the tournament since 1933 – a 92-year drought – with a 1-0 overtime win over Denmark.

Early in the tournament, a championship seemed like a longshot at best.

It was an extra-frame win in the round-robin that turned the tide for the United States.

“When we first got there – you are getting to know everyone – we weren’t playing that great at the start of the tournament,” recalled Nazar, who also won gold with the U.S. at the 2024 world juniors. “We needed to figure it out. We lost to Switzerland and went to OT with Norway. I don’t know what happened, but once we went to OT and won against Norway, something just clicked.

“Everyone just bonded and that showed on the ice. The last five games of the tournament saw everybody just playing for each other – it didn’t matter who scored, we were there to win and play for one another. That was special to see and cool to be a part of.”

Nazar’s outstanding play did not go unrecognized.

The forward, who led his team in scoring with 12 points in 10 games and was a plus-7, was named one of the top three players of the tournament for the U.S., along with Logan Cooley [Utah Mammoth] and Conor Garland [Vancouver Canucks].

“Everything went by so quickly,” said Nazar, who was joined on the U.S. by Chicago teammate, defenceman Alex Vlasic. “The game ended at 8:20. We do all the media after, the celebrating, having a blast – and we don’t get back to the hotel until about 1:30 in the morning. We were looking at the schedule and the bus that I’m on leaves for the airport at 3:15 in the morning. So, we celebrated at the rink for around an hour, got on the bus, no sleep and on our way home.”

After a home-cooked meal, courtesy of his mother, Gina, and a good night’s sleep, Nazar finally found time to put the historic win in perspective.

“The team aspect is what stands out for me the most. I didn’t know that [the last U.S. win was 92 years ago] until I was asked to play and found that out. It was a very meaningful win.”

It was also a reminder of what Nazar is chasing in his NHL career.

“Hopefully, in the future, I can play some NHL playoff games and contribute in a meaningful way. That’s the goal, to continue things and get better and better – that’s always the objective.”

He was reminded of it when the Stanley Cup Playoffs got underway in April and when he came back from the world championship.

“It’s nice to relax after the worlds for a few days, but I know I’m going to start missing being on the ice soon. I took a week off before the worlds and I was watching the NHL Playoffs. I was watching all the games, and I thought, ‘How cool would it be to score a goal at this time of the year?’ There is nothing like winning a playoff hockey game. And then I remembered, ‘Wait! I’m going to the worlds.’ I got 10 more games, and it was an amazing experience.”

Unlike the hectic times in the aftermath of Team USA’s recent championship success, the rest of the summer, for the most part, will be enjoyed at a much slower pace.

“I keep things simple. I love spending time with family and friends, fishing, golfing, and working out. I don’t do much else – just enjoy the little things.”