Golden! Predators Prospect Teddy Stiga Scores Electrifying Goal to Win WJC for US

The Nashville Predators were well represented at the 2025 World Junior Championships this winter, and the Predators stars of tomorrow have earned themselves a Gold Medal thanks to an electrifying goal from 2024 second-round pick Teddy Stiga.

Stiga, 18, received a world class pass from defenseman Zeev Buium to race in behind Finland's defense, faking out standout goalie Petteri Rimpinen and neatly finishing short-side to score the Golden Goal for Team USA.

Joey Willis, drafted 111th overall by the Predators in the fourth round of the 2023 draft, did not play in the Gold Medal game against Finland, but will come home with a Gold Medal of his own.

Stiga, drafted 55th overall in the second round of the 2024 draft this past June, scored his first goal of the World Juniors at the perfect time. The Sudbury, Ma., native had an assist in a 5-1 win over Latvia on Dec. 28 and added another, ironically, in a 4-3 overtime loss to Finland on Dec. 29.

This time, Stiga and the Americans won 4-3 in overtime, and it was Stiga's work that sealed the deal.

With Stiga's goal, Team USA has won a Gold Medal at the World Juniors in back-to-back years for the first time in history.

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