As anticipation builds for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, Team USA has announced the first six players on their preliminary men’s hockey roster. The tournament kicks off with preliminary games on February 11, culminating in the gold medal game on February 22.
This Olympic appearance is particularly notable, marking the return of NHL players to the Games for the first time since 2014.
Leading the exciting lineup is Jack Eichel, a forward from the Vegas Golden Knights. This season, Eichel achieved a career-high 94 points, comprising 28 goals and 66 assists over 77 games. His impressive performance in the Stanley Cup Playoffs saw him leading with 26 points—six goals and 20 assists—in 22 games, contributing significantly to Vegas winning their first championship. In his international career, the 28-year-old center from North Chelmsford, Massachusetts, has made three World Championship appearances and won a bronze medal in 2015, along with a silver at the 2013 Under-18 World Junior Championship.
Defensively, Team USA is bolstered by Quinn Hughes, a standout defenseman for the Vancouver Canucks. Hughes earned the Norris Trophy last season, tallying 92 points (17 goals, 75 assists) in 82 games and maintained an impressive 76 points (16 goals, 60 assists) despite playing only 68 games this season. The 25-year-old from Orlando, Florida, has recorded 409 points in 433 NHL games. His youth international achievements include a gold medal at the 2017 Under-18 World Championship and bronze medals at the 2018 World Juniors and World Championships.
Another key forward on the roster is Auston Matthews, the No. 1 pick from the 2016 NHL Draft, playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Matthews leads the NHL in goals since joining the league, boasting a total of 401 goals in 629 games. With consistent scoring, he has notched at least 30 goals in every season, including over 40 goals in six seasons. In his most recent outing, the 27-year-old from Scottsdale, Arizona recorded 78 points (33 goals, 45 assists) in 67 games. Matthews’s accolades include being named the Calder Trophy winner in 2017, the Hart Trophy as the league’s most valuable player in 2022, and the Rocket Richard Trophy, awarded for being the leading goal-scorer, three times.
Charlie McAvoy is another vital component on Team USA’s defense. The Boston Bruins player has consistently excelled in both offensive and defensive roles throughout his eight seasons in the NHL. McAvoy accumulated 23 points (seven goals, 16 assists) in 63 games this season, with a total of 300 points across 504 games played. The 27-year-old from Long Beach, New York, has participated in multiple international competitions, including two World Juniors, where he won bronze in 2016 and gold in 2017, as well as the World Championships.
Brady Tkachuk, the Ottawa Senators captain, adds formidable scoring and physicality to the roster. The 25-year-old has ascended rapidly since making his NHL debut in the 2018-2019 season, currently amassing 404 points (191 goals, 213 assists) and 1,759 hits in 512 games, ranking second in this metric. This past season, he scored 55 points (29 goals, 26 assists) in 72 games and had a promising playoff performance. On the international front, Tkachuk won gold at the 2017 Under-18 World Championships and bronze at the 2018 World Juniors.
Lastly, Matthew Tkachuk, brother of Brady and another key forward for Team USA, brings a wealth of playoff experience to the team. Playing for the Florida Panthers, he played a crucial role in their journey to the Stanley Cup Final each season since joining the team, contributing to their championship win last year with 22 points (six goals, 16 assists) during the playoffs. The 27-year-old from Scottsdale, Arizona, has accumulated 636 points (240 goals, 396 assists) across 642 games. Tkachuk’s international experience includes winning gold at the 2015 Under-18 Worlds and bronze at the 2016 World Juniors.
The complete rosters for all participating countries will be revealed later this year, and fans are eagerly awaiting the full lineup as the Games approach.
image source from：https://www.nhl.com/news/united-states-2026-olympics-preliminary-roster-first-six-players
