Panthers’ Brett Peterson to serve as GM for 2026 U.S. men’s World Championship team
Florida Panthers assistant general manager Brett Peterson has been named GM of USA Hockey’s effort for the 2026 IIHF World Championship.
Florida Panthers assistant GM Brett Peterson was named GM of the U.S. men's national team for the upcoming IIHF World Hockey Championship.
Peterson previously served as GM in 2024 in Czechia, where the team finished fifth. He has spent the past six seasons as assistant GM of the Panthers, which includes a pair of Stanley Cups in 2024 and 2025.
The 44-year-old spent four years with Boston College from 2000-04 before turning pro in 2004-05. The highest he ever got was the AHL, registering one assist in 21 games between the Albany River Rats and Grand Rapids Griffins.
“We’re really excited to have Brett back,” said John Vanbiesbrouck, assistant executive director of hockey operations for USA Hockey. “He’s done a great job at Florida, including helping the Panthers to Stanley Cup titles the last two years, and he has a really good handle on our overall player pool as we look to build a team that can compete to defend the gold medal we won a year ago.”
USA Hockey’s advisory group will be led by Vanbiesbrouck, and will feature Stan Bowman, Craig Conroy, Chris Drury, Tom Fitzgerald, Mike Grier, Bill Guerin, Chris MacFarland, Chris Patrick, Eric Tulsky, Don Waddell and Bill Zito. USA’s roster will feature players not actively in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
The Americans won the 2025 World Championship, giving the team gold for the first time in 92 years. USA Hockey also swept gold at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games, taking home the title in both the men’s and women’s divisions.
The tournament will run from May 15-31, with USA playing Group A games at the Swiss Life Arena in Zurich, Switzerland. USA will take on Germany in its lone pre-tournament game at 11:00 AM ET on May 10 before kicking off the main event against the hosts from Switzerland on May 15. Other round-robin opponents include Great Britain, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Hungary and Austria.