In the world of international hockey, few traditions are as beloved as each team’s unique goal celebration song at the annual IIHF World Junior Championship. The tournament, which showcases the best under-20 players from around the globe, has become known for its memorable musical choices that energize fans and players alike. This year, Team USA may have claimed the crown for most epic goal anthem with their selection of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s 1973 classic rock hit, “Free Bird.”
The Story Behind the Song
So how did the American squad land on this legendary tune? According to defenseman Zeev Buium, it was a team effort fueled by a shared love of classic rock.
“I don’t know, we were kind of on the bus, hanging out, trying to figure out a song. We were all throwing out songs and we all kind of clicked on it,” said Buium, a first-round pick of the Minnesota Wild in the 2024 NHL Draft.
Zeev Buium, Team USA Defenseman
Buium revealed that goalie Jacob Fowler from last year’s gold medal-winning team was a huge “Free Bird” fan, which helped seal the deal. “So we thought it was a good tune to go with,” Buium explained.
Crafting the Perfect Celebration Clip
Of course, with a runtime of over 9 minutes, “Free Bird” presented a unique challenge: which section would make for the ideal goal song? The team cleverly chose to kick things off at the 4:45 mark, just as the guitars start wailing after the mellow intro.
“The first five or six minutes of that song are super mellow and not much going on. So we knew that was the part of the song we were going with,” said Buium. “When I’m just hanging out with the guys, I’ll just throw it on. It’s a long song. Everyone sits around waiting for that part.”
Zeev Buium
Making a Memorable Debut
The song made its triumphant debut in Team USA’s tournament-opening 10-4 rout of Germany, blasting through the arena speakers a whopping 10 times. The high-energy riffs instantly became a crowd pleaser and earned rave reviews from both fans and players.
“It’s one of the best ones in the tournament, for sure,” said defenseman Cole Hutson. “It’s just catchy. It’s something you can sing along to after you score.”
Cole Hutson, Team USA Defenseman
A New Tradition in the Making?
As the Americans continue their quest for back-to-back gold medals, “Free Bird” is sure to become an anthem etched in World Juniors lore. The team hopes to keep the song in heavy rotation all the way through the championship game on January 5th.
In a tournament filled with memorable goal celebrations, Team USA’s “Free Bird” may just soar above the rest. The classic rock staple has already become a defining element of their 2025 campaign, uniting players and fans in a joyful, head-banging display of hockey euphoria.
As Lynyrd Skynyrd’s iconic tune plays on, the young American stars are ready to spread their wings and fly towards another gold medal – one electrifying goal at a time. With “Free Bird” as their soundtrack, this talented squad is writing a new chapter in USA Hockey’s rich history at the World Junior Championship.
