U.S. Olympic hockey roster has heavy 4 Nations flavor

Field Level Media
02 Jan 2026, 21:49 GMT+10

(Photo credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images)

The U.S. men's Olympic hockey roster announced Friday includes only four players who did not participate in last February's 4 Nations Face-Off.

The roster for the upcoming 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games in Italy was unveiled on the 'Today' show and includes forwards Tage Thompson and Clayton Keller and defensemen Quinn Hughes and Seth Jones.

The players who were not invited back from the 4 Nations lineup that finished second to Canada were Chris Kreider and Adam Fox. Some notable omissions from the Olympic roster include Jason Robertson, Cole Caufield and Alex DeBrincat.

'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,' said USA Hockey general manager Bill Guerin. '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.'

Teams for the Olympics feature 25 members, up from 23 at the 4 Nations. Teams can dress 20 skaters (usually 13 forwards and seven defensemen) and two goalies.

This is the first time since 2014 that NHL players are participating in the Olympics.

'We have a really good group of young, hungry Americans that haven't played in the Olympics before,' said New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes. 'So we're lucky that NHLers are back in the Olympics, first time in 12 years. Guys are pumped up, and we should be really excited.'

Coached by New York Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan, Team USA will play its Group C opener on Feb. 12 against Latvia. The U.S. meets Denmark on Feb. 14 and Germany on Feb. 14

The American men have not won a gold medal in ice hockey since the 'Miracle on Ice' team in 1980 in Lake Placid, N.Y.

'I mean, if you're a hockey player in the U.S., you grew up watching 'Miracle on Ice,' and that's like the biggest USA memory,' Hughes said. 'And you know, every hockey player wants to grow up and play in the NHL, but I think the biggest dream is playing in the Olympics. So it's such an honor. It's such a privilege to be back and have that opportunity and just really exciting and a special thing that you can have your whole life.'

--The 2026 U.S. men's Olympic hockey 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