In a move that underscores the United States' strategic continuity, the men's hockey team for the forthcoming Milan Cortina Winter Olympics predominantly comprises players who competed in the NHL-sponsored 4 Nations Face-Off early last year. Among the new additions are Tage Thompson, Clayton Keller, and Seth Jones, whose recent performances have been instrumental in notable successes.
Thompson and Keller played pivotal roles in securing the U.S. victory at the World Hockey Championship—the first since 1933. Meanwhile, Seth Jones contributed significantly to the Florida Panthers’ impressive second straight Stanley Cup finals appearance, earning his spot on the Olympic roster as a testament to his playoff impact.
USA Hockey officially announced its roster on Friday, highlighting a group heavily derived from the 4 Nations squad that made a strong showing before narrowly falling to Canada in overtime during the finals. General Manager Bill Guerin praised the team’s cohesion from that tournament, stating, "I liked the way we played: Everybody was together, everybody played the right way. The biggest thing for me was the chemistry, and I think the chemistry allowed the guys to play the way that they did."
Among those not returning from the 4 Nations lineup are forward Chris Kreider and defenseman Adam Fox, the latter a 2021 Norris Trophy recipient recognizing him as the NHL’s premier defenseman. Guerin dismissed rumors suggesting Fox’s omission was related to his involvement in Connor McDavid’s overtime goal in that tournament, emphasizing that selection decisions were not based on any single play and would remain confidential.
Keller, who also serves as captain of the Utah Mammoth lacrosse team while leading their scoring efforts, had worn the captain’s "C" at the world championships, reflecting his leadership role. Thompson, a Buffalo Sabres player, delivered a point per game during international play, bolstering his value to the squad.
Guerin highlighted Thompson’s rare combination of size and skill, describing him as "6-foot-6 and can skate like the wind," with a diverse skill set encompassing scoring, penalty killing, power play efficiency, and positional versatility across center and wing.
Following Canada’s approach, the U.S. team selected a roster heavily based on 4 Nations representatives. However, while Canada introduced changes in its goaltending roster beyond starter Jordan Binnington, the U.S. retained the same trio of goalies for the Olympics: reigning league MVP Connor Hellebuyck, Jake Oettinger, and Jeremy Swayman.
Notably excluded from the roster were Jason Robertson of the Dallas Stars, currently the top U.S. point scorer this season, along with goal scorers Cole Caufield and Alex DeBrincat, who are both considered shorter stature at 5-foot-8. When questioned about whether size influenced the roster selections, Guerin acknowledged it as an advantage but underscored that size without performance was not sufficient.
"We actually have to build a team," Guerin elaborated. "We have to fill roles. We have certain responsibilities that go up and down the lineup that we need players that are elite in those categories." This philosophy also explains the choice to maintain depth players Vincent Trocheck and Brock Nelson over others like Robertson.
Seth Jones’s inclusion, despite being a distinct departure from the primary 4 Nations core, was justified by his demonstrated defensive capabilities during the playoff season. Coach Mike Sullivan praised Jones’s skating, strength, and ability to perform reliably on both ends of the ice.
The Olympic roster permits 25 players, an increase from the 23 allowed during the 4 Nations event. Teams can dress 20 skaters for game day, typically comprised of 13 forwards and seven defensemen, along with two goaltenders. The U.S. will embark on its Olympic campaign on February 12 against Latvia.
This carefully curated roster reflects a focus on cohesion, versatility, and proven performance, aligning with USA Hockey’s objective to build a competitive and balanced team for the prestigious international tournament.
Additional information and Olympic coverage is available at the official Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics resource online.