This is the first group of NHL players to represent the United States at the Olympics since 2014, when NHL players most recently participated.
“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 on NBC’s “Today Show,” where the roster was first unveiled. “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.”
The tournament will feature all 12 teams playing three preliminary games in their respective groups.
The three group winners and the best second-place team will get a bye into the quarterfinals; the other eight teams will play single-elimination games to determine the other four quarterfinalists.
The gold medal game will be held on Feb. 22.
Team USA which is in Group C, will open against Team Latvia on Feb. 12, then play Team Denmark on Feb. 14 and Team Germany on Feb. 15.
The United States has not won a gold medal in men’s hockey since 1980 in Lake Placid, New York.
“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.”
Here is the Team United States roster for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 (in alphabetical order) and a breakdown by NHL.com of each position group:
