It's one thing to represent your country in international competition, like the 4 Nations Face-Off or the IIHF World Championship. It's a whole other thing to do so at the Winter Olympics. And New York Rangers stars J.T. Miller and Vincent Trocheck will find that out first-hand Thursday in Milan.
Each 32-year-old forward expects to make his Olympics debut for the United States, when they open the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics with a game against Latvia (3:10 ET puck drop). Miller looks to be set, playing wing on the fourth line. Trocheck could center the fourth line or be the extra forward, since IIHF rules allow for each team to dress 20 skaters, instead of 18, for international play.
There's a good chance that the Rangers teammates and childhood buddies at least play together on the United States penalty kill. That's something they did a year ago in the 4 Nations Face-Off, and again during practice this week in Italy.
With such a star-studded lineup, each takes on less of a glamorous role for Team USA, with more emphasis on defense, winning face-offs, and tone-setting physical play. Though each player is more than capable of coming up big offensively in a bottom-six role for the United States. Miller's been a 100-point scorer in the NHL; Trocheck's seeking his fifth straight season scoring at least 20 goals.
Despite their struggles this season, Miller and Trocheck are tied for third in scoring on the Rangers with 36 points apiece.
Winning gold is on their minds now. This isn't taken for granted by Miller because, remember, NHL players last participated in the Olympics back in 2014. That makes this even more of a special opportunity for these two Rangers.
"It's not really for me, I think it's more for my kids," Miller told Mollie Walker of The New York Post in Milan. "They're getting to that really fun age where it's like, I get to share that. And I've been with my wife for so long, with each other for over half of our lives. For us, together, to experience that, I just think that means the world to us. Obviously, my parents, you know, all the sacrifices they've made. I'm not thinking about me really at all. It's just more about the people around me. They get to experience it. So we just don't take this for granted."
To celebrate the Olympics, I'll be at Mustang Harry's — seventh avenue and 30th street, steps from Madison Square Garden — recording the latest Rink Rap podcast on Thursday afternoon. There's going to be plenty of breaking down the Rangers and where their retool is headed, Artemi Panarin trade aftermath, prospect talk, Olympic chatter, and a surprise guest or two on the podcast.
Stop by and say hello — the U.S. – Latvia game will be on, the food is outstanding, the beer selection excellent. See you there!
Mika Zibanejad had himself an impressive Olympics debut Wednesday. Our Pat Pickens breaks down the big role the Rangers star played in Sweden's 5-2 win over host Italy.
This is a fun one: selecting the best, worst, and everything in between from the Rangers season to this point, at the NHL Olympic break.
In his first prospects column for Forever Blueshirts, Jess Rubenstein examines why defenseman Chase Reid is a solid option for the Rangers to consider with their first of two selections in the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft.
Heee's baaaack! Sort of, since he's still in the minors. But Juuso Parssinen played consecutive AHL games for the first time since the Rangers assigned him to Hartford of the American Hockey League back in November. It's been one injury after another for the forward over the past two-plus months.
Miracle on Ice star Rob McClanahan discussed his Rangers tenure — among other topics — with Forever Blueshirts, including the one thing he would've done differently after winning the gold medal in 1980.
Speaking of one on ones with Forever Blueshirts, former Rangers center Derek Stepan shared some Olympic memories from 2014, and left no room for debate about who he's pulling for at the Milan-Cortina Games.
ICYMI: veteran defenseman Travis Dermott signed a PTO with Hartford. Here's why that has some significance for the Rangers .
Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
The Fourth Period: Dave Pagnotta reports that Jordan Kyrou is warming to the idea of being traded by the St. Louis Blues . He also reports that the Montreal Canadiens reached out on three separate occasions to inquire about Kyrou's availability.
New Jersey Hockey Now: James Nichols with a cool story twist: which Devils have the most to gain and lose at the Winter Olympics?
TSN: The elephant in the room at the Winter Olympics is that not all the best teams and players are Milan, since Russia is not participating in the tournament.
Pittsburgh Hockey Now:Dan Kingerski breaks down the top 5 biggest surprises in an overall very surprising season for the Penguins.
Philly Hockey Now: Here's an excellent breakdown from William James of where the Flyers are at ahead of the March 6 NHL trade deadline and what's next for them .
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