Workforce USA has introduced its 2026 Olympic hockey roster simply over a month earlier than the puck drops in Italy. The expertise pool has by no means been deeper for the Individuals, and that led to some robust choices as Workforce USA constructed a roster anticipated to compete for the gold medal in February.
Workforce USA already introduced Matthew Tkachuk, Brady Tkachuk, Auston Matthews, Jack Eichel, Quinn Hughes and Charlie McAvoy to the Olympic roster earlier this yr. That meant 19 spots have been accessible, and common supervisor Invoice Guerin selected from not less than two dozen gamers worthy of constructing of the roster.
After being left off the 4 Nations Face-Off roster round this time final yr, Jason Robertson had a degree to show. Within the calendar yr of 2025, Robertson scored 49 targets. Solely two gamers, Morgan Geekie and Nathan MacKinnon, scored extra. His 97 factors ranked sixth within the NHL over that span. Regardless of these efforts, Robertson was left off the Olympic roster.
Workforce Canada 2026 Olympic hockey roster: Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon be part of forces to steer favorites
Austin Nivison
One other younger goal-scorer, Cole Caufield, hoped to play his method onto the workforce. There have been questions on whether or not the undersized Caufield (5-foot-8 and 175 kilos) would persuade Workforce USA management that he might thrive in an intense best-on-best match. Finally, Caufield will stay at house whereas Workforce USA goes abroad.
As all the time, the Individuals have a humiliation of riches in objective, and so they had a laundry listing of choices to select from with three-time Vezina Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck main the way in which.
Right here is the whole 2026 Olympic roster for Workforce USA:
*denotes participant already introduced
Forwards
- Matt Boldy, Wild
- Kyle Connor, Jets
- Jack Eichel, Golden Knights*
- Jake Guentzel, Lightning
- Jack Hughes, Devils
- Clayton Keller, Mammoth
- Dylan Larkin, Purple Wings
- Auston Matthews, Maple Leafs*
- J.T. Miller, Rangers
- Brock Nelson, Islanders
- Tage Thompson, Sabres
- Brady Tkachuk, Senators*
- Matthew Tkachuk, Panthers*
- Vincent Trocheck, Rangers
Protection
Goaltenders
Robertson, Fox snubbed
Leaving Robertson off this roster is totally and totally indefensible. He is among the best scorers within the league, and he upped his sport after getting snubbed from the 4 Nations Face-Off final yr. What extra does the Workforce USA entrance workplace must see from him?
Taking Miller, Connor and Trocheck over Robertson is absurd. Miller, now 32, is on tempo for his least productive season since 2018-19. Trocheck has topped 30 targets in a single season as soon as, however that was all the way in which again in 2017-18. A minimum of Connor offers you with some scoring contact, however he provides all of it again on the defensive finish. Robertson ought to have been a simple selection over any of these gamers.
On the subject of Fox, the concept the Individuals took two Rangers whereas leaving maybe the workforce’s finest participant at house, boggles the thoughts. For the reason that begin of the 2024-25 season, New York has outscored opponents 91-63 with Fox on the ice at five-on-five, per Pure Stat Trick. That plus-28 objective differential leads the workforce, and nobody else is even remotely shut. Do the decision-makers for Workforce USA (which embrace Rangers common supervisor Chris Drury) suppose these numbers are only a coincidence?
Faber is an efficient younger defenseman who performs robust minutes — and numerous them. Having stated that, the Minnesota Wild simply keep afloat with Faber within the sport. The Rangers excel when Fox is on the ice. Guerin, the Wild common supervisor, ought to have made the robust option to deliver Fox over Faber.
Elite goaltending depth
Most groups within the Olympics would like to commerce locations with the USA in the case of the goaltending place. Simply ask Canada. The Individuals had numerous choices for the third spot within the crease with Hellebuyck and Oettinger basically locked in as No. 1 and No. 2.
Swayman of the Boston Bruins wound up getting the ultimate spot, and that is comprehensible. He is performed at a Vezina Trophy stage within the NHL, and when Swayman is on, he may be unbeatable. That is not a nasty man to have third on the depth chart.
That stated, I believe there was not less than yet one more goalie who warranted critical consideration. Spencer Knight has achieved his finest to make the Chicago Blackhawks respectable by saving 9.05 targets above common, per Pure Stat Trick. That ranks ninth within the NHL, and Knight has a glowing .861 high-danger save share.
Finally, there have been no unhealthy choices for the Individuals when it got here to their third goalie spot. It is a good downside to have, and it is a huge cause why this workforce has a shot to win gold in Italy.
Ok for gold?
Regardless of a pair clear missteps within the roster development division, Workforce USA continues to be able to ending the nation’s 46-year gold medal drought. The Individuals have simply made it a bit of tougher on themselves.
I’ve already laid out Workforce USA’s benefit in web. If simply certainly one of Hellebuyck, Oettinger or Swayman are on the prime of their sport, the workforce ought to cruise to the medal spherical. From there, any of them have the flexibility to steal a win in a do-or-die scenario.
In entrance of them, the protection continues to be rock strong, even with out Fox. The Individuals did not have Hughes, the second-best defenseman on the earth, on the 4 Nations Face-Off and nonetheless pushed Canada to additional time. Slavin and Jones present the size and mobility essential to decelerate Canadian velocity demons like Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon.
Lastly, the omission of Robertson caps the Individuals’ upside, however Thompson and Keller have been nice surprises. Each have a ton of ability, and Workforce USA wants that to enrich some gamers preferring a extra grinding model. Whereas Matthews has struggled this season, he is led the NHL in targets 3 times, and the Tkachuk brothers will probably be menaces on the forecheck.
It should not come as a shock that Workforce USA has the second-best odds (+200) to win gold in Italy, per DraftKings.
This workforce is extra gifted and deeper than any Olympic workforce the Individuals have iced earlier than.
