> At a Glance
> – Dallas Stars goalie Jake Oettinger, Arlington defenseman Seth Jones, and Coppell forward Hannah Bilka were all named to Team USA hockey rosters.
> – The 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics will mark the NHL’s return to Olympic ice for the first time since 2014.
> – The U.S. men’s hockey team has not won Olympic gold since the 1980 “Miracle on Ice.”
> – Why it matters: Local fans can cheer on hometown athletes chasing Olympic glory on the world stage next month.
North Texas is sending a trio of hockey standouts to the 2026 Winter Olympics, USA Hockey revealed on Friday. The announcement locks in Dallas Stars goalie Jake Oettinger, Florida Panthers defenseman Seth Jones, and Seattle Torrent winger Hannah Bilka for February’s tournament in Milan-Cortina.
Oettinger’s Moment
Oettinger, 26, has eyed this roster spot since August, when USA Hockey invited 44 NHLers to an orientation camp. He told Ryan J. Thompson that making the final cut would be “the greatest honor of my career.”
The netminder’s strong season puts him in line to start alongside Winnipeg’s Connor Hellebuyck. Oettinger recently sharpened his game at the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off, treating the event as a dress rehearsal for the bigger stage.
North Texas Roots
Seth Jones, born in Arlington, brings Stanley Cup pedigree after back-to-back titles with Florida. The 30-year-old blueliner has 6 goals and 18 assists through 39 games this season.
Hannah Bilka, 24, took a winding road to Team USA. After winning an NCAA title with Ohio State, she went fourth overall in the 2024 PWHL draft to Boston, then moved to Seattle via the expansion draft. She’ll represent the U.S. women in the sport’s second Olympic appearance.
NHL Returns After 12-Year Absence
The league barred players from the 2018 and 2022 Games over scheduling and COVID-19 concerns. Only facility construction delays in Italy could derail participation this time. League officials say they are “cautiously optimistic” the rink will pass safety inspections before puck drop.
U.S. men last struck gold in 1980, when college kids stunned the Soviet Union in the “Miracle on Ice.” Oettinger, born two decades later, still studies the film.
> “I’ve watched that movie and that game a thousand times,” he said. “That’s exactly what it’s all about.”
Key Takeaways
- Jake Oettinger is positioned to start in net for Team USA.
- Seth Jones brings championship experience to the blue line.
- Hannah Bilka headlines the women’s roster after a rapid rise through college and pro ranks.
- The Olympics run Feb. 6-22, with full coverage on News Of Fort Worth and Peacock.
For local hockey fans, February in Italy just became must-see TV.
