Auston Matthews stands with Team USA ice hockey players gathered around him and a vintage torch at their feet under lighting.

NHL Stars Return to Team USA at 2026 Olympics

At a Glance

  • NHL stars Auston Matthews, Jack Eichel, Jack Hughes headline the roster
  • Team USA returns to Olympic ice hockey with NHL players for first time since 2010
  • Group C opponents: Latvia, Denmark, Germany
  • Why it matters: Fans will see NHL talent compete for Team USA in Milan-Cortina 2026

Team USA has unveiled its 25-player roster for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympic men’s ice hockey tournament, featuring NHL stars and marking the first time NHL players will represent the U.S. since 2010.

Olympic ice hockey rink showcases Team USA logo centered with dynamic lighting and Latvian Danish German flags in background.

Roster Highlights

The roster blends top NHL talent with seasoned international players, led by centers Auston Matthews, Jack Eichel, and Jack Hughes.

  • Forwards – Jack Eichel, Auston Matthews, Matthew Tkachuk, Brady Tkachuk, Matt Boldy, Kyle Connor, Jake Guentzel, Jack Hughes, Clayton Keller, Dylan Larkin, J.T. Miller, Brock Nelson, Tage Thompson, Vincent Trocheck
  • Defensemen – Charlie McAvoy, Quinn Hughes, Brock Faber, Noah Hanifin, Seth Jones, Jake Sanderson, Jaccob Slavin, Zach Werenski
  • Goaltenders – Connor Hellebuyck, Jake Oettinger, Jeremy Swayman

Group C Schedule

Team USA will face Latvia, Denmark, and Germany in Group C, with games set for February 12-15.

Date Opponent Time
Feb. 12 Latvia 3:10 p.m. ET
Feb. 14 Denmark 3:10 p.m. ET
Feb. 15 Germany 3:10 p.m. ET

Historical Context

The U.S. has earned 11 men’s hockey medals in Olympic history, including golds in 1960 and 1980. The last medal came in 2010 when the team fell to Canada in overtime.

Key Takeaways

  • NHL players return to Team USA in 2026 after a 16-year absence.
  • The roster is led by three high-profile centers.
  • Group C matchups include Latvia, Denmark, and Germany.

With NHL talent on the ice, Team USA looks poised to bring fresh energy to the 2026 Olympic tournament.

Author

  • My name is Ryan J. Thompson, and I cover weather, climate, and environmental news in Fort Worth and the surrounding region.

    Ryan J. Thompson covers transportation and infrastructure for newsoffortworth.com, reporting on how highways, transit, and major projects shape Fort Worth’s growth. A UNT journalism graduate, he’s known for investigative reporting that explains who decides, who pays, and who benefits from infrastructure plans.

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