Jan 04, 2026
3 min read
USA Hockey has released the men's Olympic roster, the majority of which is made up of players who participated in the NHL's 4 Nations Playoff last year.
Tage Thompson and Clayton Keller have helped the United States win the World Hockey Championship for the first time since 1933, while Set Jones was a key part of the Florida Panthers second reasonable straight stanley drop flowers.
Those contributions earned him a spot in the U.S.Olympic team as the only three additions that did not participate in the 4-Nations Showdown earlier last year.
The USA Hockey has been opened his list at the "today" on Friday, when Americans indicate most of the game in the end of the gym.
"I liked the way we played: everybody stayed together, everybody played the right way," general manager Bill Guerin said in a video conference call with reporters.
The only non-returnees from the Four Nations are Anaheim Ducks forward Chris Kreider and New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox, the 2021 Norris Trophy winner for the NHL's top defenseman.Green echoed speculation that Fox was left out because of his role in Connor McDavid's overtime goal 11 months ago.
"If you think we've made a decision in a game, then you shouldn't think we're very smart," Guerin said."I will keep these conversations confidential. Our decision has been made and we are moving forward."
Keller, captain of the Utah Mammoths tied for that scoring lead, wore the "C" in the World Series.Thompson, who plays for the Buffalo Sabres, was the postgame producer.
The US followed Canada's lead after its neighbor to the north also picked a heavy 4-nation roster.But while Canada made a number of net changes in addition to starting Jordan Binnington, the Americans went with the same three goalies: Connor Hellebuyck, Jake Oettinger and Jeremy Swayman.
That left Jason Robertson of the Dallas Stars, who leads American players in scoring this season, and a pair of other elite scorers, Cole Caufield and Alex DeBrincat, who are each 5-foot-8.
When asked if size was a factor in the decision, Guerin said it was a bonus, adding, "It doesn't help if you're big and smelly."
"We really need to build a team," Guerin said."We have to fill roles. We have certain responsibilities that go up and down the roster, we need elite players in those categories."
Green and his management staff, along with coach Mike Sullivan, have a preference for experience and familiar players, meaning forwards Vincent Truccheck and Brock Nelson should be with Robertson and others.
Jones was a notable exception after his shutdown skills were evident in the playoffs last year.
"He's a really strong guy who skates really well," Sullivan said."He has the ability to play both sides of the puck."
Teams are allowed 25 players at the Olympics, up from 23 in the four countries, and can field 20 skaters — usually 13 forwards and seven defensemen — along with two goaltenders.The USA's first game is scheduled for February 12 against Latvia.
