Jan 05, 2026
3 min read
USA Hockey has revealed its men's Olympic roster, with many of the players who participated in last year's NHL 4 Nations Face-Off.
Tage Thompson and Clayton Keller helped the United States win their first World Hockey Championship since 1933, while Seth Jones was a key part of the Florida Panthers' second straight Stanley Cup run.
These contributions make the USA three additions that did not participate in the 4-nation meet earlier last year. They earned a spot on the Olympic team.
USA Hockey revealed its roster Friday on the "Today" show, the majority of which is made up of players who participated in the NHL's international tournament in February, when the Americans advanced to the finals before losing to Canada in overtime.
"I like the way we played: everybody came together, everybody played the right way," general manager Bill Guerin said on a video call with reporters."The biggest thing for me is chemistry, and I think chemistry makes people play the way they do."
The only non-returners from the 4 Nations are Anaheim Ducks forward Chris Kreider and New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox, the 2021 Norris Trophy winner as the NHL's top defenseman.Guerin addressed the idea that Fox was suspended for his role in Connor McDavid's overtime goal 11 months ago.
"If you think we made decisions in the game, you wouldn't think we were very good," Guerin said."I will keep those discussions private. Our decision has been made, we are moving forward."
Keller, the Utah Mammoth captain who is tied for the team lead in wins, wears the "C" all over the world.Thompson, who plays for the Buffalo Sabres, has been a point-per-game producer.
The US followed Canada's lead after its neighbor to the north also selected a heavy 4-nation roster.But while Canada made some changes in the net beyond starter Jordan Binnington, the Americans went with the same three goaltenders: Connor Hellebuyck, Jake Ottinger and Jeremy Zweimann.
The Dallas Stars' Jason Robertson, who leads US players in scoring this season, and some elite scorers, Cole Caufield and Alex DeBrincat, who are each 5-foot-8, are behind.
Asked about size as a factor in the decision, Guerin said it was a plus, adding, "It doesn't help if you're big and you smell bad."
“We really have to build a team,” Guerin said."We have to play roles. We have some responsibilities that go up and down the lineup, we need specialized players in those categories."
Guerin and his management, along with coach Mike Sullivan, favored experience and players they knew well.That meant sticking with the depth of Vincent Trochek and Brock Nelson ahead of Robertson and others.
Jones was a notable exception, after his closing prowess was evident in last year's playoffs.
"He's a big, strong kid who skates really well," Sullivan said."He has the ability to play both sides."
Teams are limited to 25 players at the Olympics, compared to 23 for the four countries, and can field 20 skaters – typically 13 forwards and seven defensemen – plus two goaltenders.The US's first game is on February 12 against Latvia.
