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US Olympic men's hockey team for 2026? Here's an early look at who is in the mix
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- US Olympic men's hockey team for 2026? Here's an early look at who is in the mix
The only thing set so far for the 2026 U.S. Olympic men's hockey team is general manager Bill Guerin and coach Mike Sullivan.
But the U.S. team for next week's 4 Nations Face-Off could serve as a blueprint for the NHL's return to the Olympics for the first time since 2014 in Sochi, Russia.
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The United States, Canada, Finland and Sweden will play in the 4 Nations tournament from Feb. 12-20 in Montreal and Boston . If the USA wins, that would be a good sign of what the core of next year's Olympic team could look like. A lot, though, will depend on how U.S. players are faring early in the 2025-26 season before teams are finalized.
Here's the U.S. 4 Nations Face-Off U.S. roster (listed alphabetically) and others who could be in the mix for 2026:
Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck (37) and forward Kyle Connor (81) will be top U.S. players at the 4 Nations Face-Off - and likely the 2026 Olympics.
Forwards
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Auston Matthews , Toronto Maple Leafs
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J.T. Miller , New York Rangers
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Vincent Trocheck , New York Rangers
Much of this lineup should be the same. Matthews, Hughes, the Tkachuk brothers and Connor are key players and Boldy is a rising star. The question involves Kreider, Trocheck and Nelson, who are in their 30s. So is Miller, but he seems likely to stick around.
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The USA has a deep talent pool, however. Utah's Clayton Keller is having a strong start this season. Dallas ' Jason Robertson missed this year's cut because of a slow start but he twice has scored 40 goals. Montreal's Cole Caufield , Utah's Logan Cooley and Buffalo's Tage Thompson and Alex Tuch could also get a look.
Defensemen
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D Brock Faber , Minnesota Wild
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D Adam Fox, New York Rangers
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D Noah Hanifin , Vegas Golden Knights
This group will be one of the top blue lines at the 4 Nations. But the USA has other defensemen who could make a case. Montreal's Lane Hutson is among the favorites for rookie of the year. Ottawa's Jake Sanderson , Winnipeg's Neal Pionk , New Jersey 's Luke Hughes and others could also get a look. If Luke Hughes makes it, that would be three Hughes brothers at the Olympics.
Goaltenders
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Connor Hellebuyck , Winnipeg Jets
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Jeremy Swayman , Boston Bruins
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This could easily be the goaltending mix for 2026. Hellebuyck is a two-time Vezina Trophy winner and Oettinger and Swayman have solid credentials. Vancouver's Thatcher Demko would have been in the mix at the 4 Nations, but he was hurt for the start of the season. If he gets off to a strong start next season, he could be considered.
Other U.S. goalies to watch: Calgary 's Dustin Wolf , a rookie of the year candidate, and Seattle 's Joey Daccord .
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: US Olympic men's hockey team: 4 Nations roster offers clues
