The United States has unveiled a 25-player roster for the men's ice hockey tournament at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina, featuring NHL stars like Auston Matthews and the Hughes brothers. General manager Bill Guerin emphasized team chemistry over individual stats in selections, building on the group's performance from the recent 4 Nations Face-Off. The team aims to end a 46-year gold medal drought since 1980.
The United States Olympic men's ice hockey roster for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games was announced on Friday, highlighting a blend of elite talent and proven chemistry. Comprising 14 forwards, eight defensemen, and three goaltenders, the squad includes prominent NHL players such as Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews, New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes, and Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes, alongside his brother Jack. The Tkachuk brothers, Brady of the Ottawa Senators and Matthew of the Florida Panthers, also make the cut, adding family rivalry to the mix.
General manager Bill Guerin, speaking on the selections, stressed the importance of building a cohesive unit rather than relying solely on statistics. 'We have to make a team,' Guerin said. 'It's a team, not just a group of individuals.' This approach led to the omission of several high-scoring NHL players, including Jason Robertson of the Dallas Stars (48 points, leading U.S. forwards) and Cole Caufield of the Montreal Canadiens (40 points). Guerin noted the depth of American talent made decisions challenging, with 21 of the 25 players having competed in the 4 Nations Face-Off last February, where the U.S. fell 3-2 in overtime to Canada in the final.
Additions to the roster from the 4 Nations include forwards Clayton Keller of the Utah Mammoth and Tage Thompson of the Buffalo Sabres, as well as defenseman Seth Jones of the Florida Panthers replacing Adam Fox of the New York Rangers. Quinn Hughes, sidelined by injury during the 4 Nations, returns to bolster the blue line. Coach Mike Sullivan praised Hughes' offensive drive, indicating flexibility in lineups, potentially centering Jack Hughes.
The goaltending trio—Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets, Jake Oettinger of the Dallas Stars, and Jeremy Swayman of the Boston Bruins—returns intact, with Hellebuyck as the established No. 1. Team USA, placed in Group C, opens against Latvia on February 12, followed by Denmark on February 14 and Germany on February 15. The gold medal game is set for February 22.
Jack Hughes expressed excitement on NBC's 'Today Show,' saying, 'Guys are pumped up, and we should be really excited.' Defenseman Zach Werenski of the Columbus Blue Jackets added, 'The two goals a kid dreams of are the Stanley Cup and a gold medal.' This marks the first U.S. Olympic participation by NHL players since 2014, fueling hopes for a return to glory.
