Penguins’ Novak and Clifton Set to Represent Team USA at World Championship

Excitement is building as two Pittsburgh Penguins players prepare to don the red, white, and blue for the IIHF World Championship in Switzerland. Forward Tommy Novak and defenseman Connor Clifton have been selected to represent Team USA in the tournament, which runs from May 15-31 in Zurich and Fribourg. This marks a significant milestone for both players, as it will be their first appearance at the World Championship level, though they have previously showcased their skills at the junior and under-18 levels.

Novak, 29, enjoyed a breakout season with the Penguins, tallying 16 goals and 42 points across 82 games. This season was particularly notable as it was his first full campaign in Pittsburgh after being acquired from the Nashville Predators ahead of the 2025 NHL trade deadline. His performance included a significant role centering the second line alongside stars Evgeni Malkin and Egor Chinakhov, contributing to his third career season of 40 or more points.

On the other hand, Clifton, 31, a pending unrestricted free agent, joined the Penguins after being traded from the Buffalo Sabres during the previous summer’s NHL Draft. He quickly made a name for himself with his physical style of play, leading the Penguins with 180 hits despite appearing in just 50 games. In that span, Clifton also contributed two goals and six points, showcasing his ability to impact games beyond his defensive responsibilities.

Team USA’s preliminary round kicks off on May 15 against Switzerland, and both Novak and Clifton will be looking to make their mark on the international stage.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.