Frank Nazar’s breakout season hasn’t stopped at the NHL level — now, he’s making noise on the international stage. The 20-year-old Chicago Blackhawks center is turning heads at the 2025 IIHF World Championship, putting up four points in Team USA’s first two games and making a strong case as one of hockey’s fastest-rising young stars.
Nazar, a 2022 first-round pick by the Blackhawks, has carried his late-season NHL momentum straight into international competition. After a mid-December call-up to Chicago, Nazar posted a respectable 26 points (12 goals, 14 assists) over 53 games, giving the rebuilding franchise a glimpse of his offensive promise. Now, he’s reinforcing that potential in a big way for Team USA.
In the tournament opener against Denmark, Nazar notched an assist on Team USA’s fourth goal in a 5-0 shutout win. But it was in the following game against Hungary that Nazar truly stole the spotlight — scoring two quick goals in the first period and adding another assist in a commanding 6-0 victory.
His speed, vision, and poise with the puck are standing out among a roster filled with NHL talent. And for the Blackhawks, this is another encouraging sign that Nazar could become a key pillar in their long-term core alongside players like Connor Bedard.
Though still early in the tournament, Nazar’s performance is sending a clear message: he’s not just a promising young player — he’s ready to be a difference-maker. With Chicago’s rebuild gaining momentum, Frank Nazar’s emergence couldn’t be better timed.
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