Aerial View on Amerant Bank Arena (Formerly the BB&T Center) – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by YES Market Media
The great majority of the players on USA Hockey’s roster, which was revealed on Friday’s “Today” show, participated in the NHL-run international 4 Nations event in February, where the Americans advanced to the championship before falling to Canada in overtime.
These athletes, along with those representing other nations at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, are locals who made the squad.
Who else is a member of Team USA?
Matthew Tkachuk
Seth Jones
Canada
Sam Reinhart
Latvia
Uvis Balinskis
Local headquarters for all things pertaining to the hockey team in South Florida
Seth Jones played a crucial role in the Florida Panthers’ second straight Stanley Cup run, while Tage Thompson and Clayton Keller helped the United States win the world hockey tournament for the first time since 1933.
As the only three additions from the 4 Nations Face-Off early last year, their efforts won them a place on the U.S. squad for the Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina.
Chris Kreider, a forward, and Adam Fox, a former defenseman with the New York Rangers, are the only players who have not returned from the Four Nations.
General manager Bill Guerin stated, “It was extremely 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.” “I know our players and staff will represent our country well and work hard to achieve our ultimate goal because there is nothing like the Olympics.”
The Utah Mammoth’s captain, Keller, donned the “C” at worlds and tied for the team’s scoring lead. Thompson was a point-per-game producer for the Buffalo Sabres.
After its northern neighbor similarly selected a roster that was heavily composed of four nations, the United States followed Canada’s example. The Americans chose to stick with their three goalies, Connor Hellebuyck, Jake Oettinger, and Jeremy Swayman, while Canada made several changes in goal beyond starting Jordan Binnington.
The Dallas Stars’ Jason Robertson, who leads American players in points this season, and two other top goal scorers, Alex DeBrincat and Cole Caufield, were left out.
Experience and familiar players were given top priority by Guerin, his management team, and coach Mike Sullivan. This meant that depth forwards Brock Nelson and Vincent Trocheck were preferred over Robertson and other players.
Teams can dress 20 skaters, usually 13 forwards and seven defensemen, along with two goalies, and are permitted to have 25 players at the Olympics, up from 23 at the 4 Nations. The U.S.’s opening match is against Latvia on February 12.
See the full roster
FORWARDS (14)
- Matt Boldy, Minnesota Wild
- Kyle Connor, Winnipeg Jets
- Jack Eichel, Vegas Golden Knights
- Jack Hughes, New Jersey Devils
- Jake Guentzel, Tampa Bay Lightning
- Clayton Keller, Utah Mammoth
- Dylan Larkin, Detroit Red Wings
- Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs
- J.T. Miller, New York Rangers
- Brock Nelson, Colorado Avalanche
- Brady Tkachuk, Ottawa Senators
- Matthew Tkachuk, Florida Panthers
- Tage Thompson, Buffalo Sabres
- Vincent Trocheck, New York Rangers
DEFENSEMEN (8)
- Brock Faber, Minnesota Wild
- Noah Hanifin, Vegas Golden Knights
- Quinn Hughes, Vancouver Canucks
- Seth Jones, Florida Panthers
- Charlie McAvoy, Boston Bruins
- Jake Sanderson, Ottawa Senators
- Jaccob Slavin, Carolina Hurricanes
- Zach Werenski, Columbus Blue Jackets
GOALIES (3)
- Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg Jets
- Jake Oettinger, Dallas Stars
- Jeremy Swayman, Boston Bruins
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Mike has more than 30 years of experience in marketing and public relations. He once owned his own agency and has worked with some of the largest brands in the world.
