Team USA announces men’s hockey roster for 2026 Olympics: Snubs, surprises and expectations
The U.S. men’s hockey roster was officially unveiled Friday morning with 21 4 Nations returnees and four new faces.
It’s clear the United States feels confident that its style of play at the 4 Nations Face-Off and the camaraderie created within the team can lead to a third Olympic gold medal, and first since 1980, in Milan.
The U.S. men’s hockey roster was officially unveiled Friday morning with 21 4 Nations returnees and four new faces, although one is Quinn Hughes, who was named to the Olympic team way back in June and would have been in the 4 Nations had he not been injured last February.
Forwards Tage Thompson and Clayton Keller, who were huge parts of the United States’ first gold medal in 92 years at last spring’s World Championship, earned spots on the roster, as did defenseman Seth Jones.
“We’re excited about our team and congratulate everyone named today,” Bill Guerin, the U.S. general manager, said. “It was incredibly difficult for our management group to get to the final roster and that’s a credit to so many in our country, including all those at the grassroots level who help make our sport so strong. There’s nothing like the Olympics and I know our players and staff will represent our country well and work hard to achieve our ultimate goal.”
The biggest noise around the roster unveiling will undoubtedly surround former Norris Trophy winner Adam Fox’s deletion after a tough 4 Nations tournament and not selecting the second-leading goal-scoring American, Jason Robertson. But Guerin told The Athletic earlier this week he wouldn’t second guess the hard decisions and he’s confident the team selected can bring gold to the United States.
“We have a huge talent pool, and unfortunately, some good players had to be left off,” Guerin said. “But if there are injuries, there could be changes, and some of the players that weren’t named to the initial roster could still be with us in a month. A lot can happen still.”
Among the 11 returning forwards are anticipated captain Auston Matthews, the Tkachuk brothers – Brady and Matthew, Matt Boldy (who leads all Americans with 25 goals), Jake Guentzel, Jack Eichel, Kyle Connor, Dylan Larkin, Jack Hughes, Brock Nelson, J.T. Miller and Vincent Trocheck.
The lone forward to make the 4 Nations that was left off the Olympic roster is Chris Kreider.
As for the defensemen, Hughes will be joined by 4 Nations returners Charlie McAvoy, Jaccob Slavin, Brock Faber, Zach Werenski, Jake Sanderson and Noah Hanifin. Fox was the only blueliner in the 4 Nations who didn’t make the Olympic team. All three goalies from the 4 Nations – Connor Hellebuyck, Jake Oettinger and Jeremy Swayman – return.
The U.S. men’s team, along with the women’s and sled hockey teams, was unveiled in the plaza on NBC’s “Today” show with Jack Hughes, Laila Edwards and Declan Farmer in attendance, with fans in the background.
The men’s tournament begins in Milan on Feb. 11 with the U.S. opening its Group B preliminary round Feb. 12 against Latvia. The gold-medal game is slated for Feb. 22.
