USA Hockey has revealed a 44-player roster for its Olympic Orientation Camp, which will be held later this month in Plymouth, Michigan. The camp, set for August 23-24, will give coaches and management an early look at players competing for roster spots ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina.
The two-day event will feature players from 24 different NHL teams, showcasing the wide depth of American talent across the league. It is not only a chance for players to begin building chemistry but also an opportunity for USA Hockey to evaluate how its roster might stack up against the world’s best when NHL players return to Olympic competition.
Introducing the 44 players who will attend the U.S. Men's Olympic Orientation Camp 🇺🇸
— USA Hockey (@usahockey) August 19, 2025
Details: https://t.co/lWC0ZT1AJc pic.twitter.com/16FT49FRgP
Familiar Names and Veteran Leadership
Five players with previous Olympic experience have been named to the camp. Among them are Toronto Maple Leafs forward Matthew Knies, Detroit Red Wings legend Patrick Kane, Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Ryan McDonagh, Minnesota Wild blueliner Brock Faber, and Ottawa Senators rising star Jake Sanderson.
In addition to those veterans, USA Hockey had already unveiled its first six Olympic selections last month. That group includes Jack Eichel of the Vegas Golden Knights, Toronto Maple Leafs superstar Auston Matthews, Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk, Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk, Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes, and Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy. Each of these players is expected to play a pivotal role in Italy.
Returning Winners and Rising Stars
A notable storyline heading into the camp is the presence of 12 players who helped Team USA capture gold at the IIHF World Championship earlier this year. Their recent international success provides both momentum and confidence as the Americans gear up for the Olympics.
This roster also reflects the next generation of American hockey talent. Names like Jack Hughes, Logan Cooley, Luke Hughes, and Jason Robertson represent the youth movement that has taken over the NHL in recent seasons. Combined with established stars like Matthews, Eichel, and Kane, Team USA could feature one of its most balanced lineups in history.
A Look Back and Ahead
The last time Team USA captured Olympic gold was on home ice in the legendary 1980 “Miracle on Ice” at Lake Placid. Since then, the program has had moments of brilliance but has struggled to reach the top of the podium again. The most recent Olympics featuring NHL players was Sochi 2014, where the United States finished in fourth place after a disappointing semifinal loss.
In Milano Cortina, the Americans will compete in Group C alongside Germany, Latvia, and Denmark. Their tournament begins on February 11 with an opening matchup against Latvia, a game that will set the tone for their Olympic campaign.
Full Olympic Orientation Camp Roster
Goaltenders: Joey Daccord (Seattle Kraken), Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg Jets), Jake Oettinger (Dallas Stars), Jeremy Swayman (Boston Bruins)
Defensemen: Brock Faber (Minnesota Wild), Adam Fox (New York Rangers), Luke Hughes (New Jersey Devils), Quinn Hughes (Vancouver Canucks), Noah Hanifin (Vegas Golden Knights), Seth Jones (Florida Panthers), Jackson LaCombe (Anaheim Ducks), Charlie McAvoy (Boston Bruins), Brett Pesce (New Jersey Devils), Neal Pionk (Winnipeg Jets), Jake Sanderson (Ottawa Senators), Brady Skjei (Nashville Predators), Jaccob Slavin (Carolina Hurricanes), Alex Vlasic (Chicago Blackhawks), Zach Werenski (Columbus Blue Jackets)
Forwards: Matt Boldy (Minnesota Wild), Cole Caufield (Montreal Canadiens), Logan Cooley (Utah Mammoth), Kyle Connor (Winnipeg Jets), Jack Eichel (Vegas Golden Knights), Conor Garland (Vancouver Canucks), Jake Guentzel (Tampa Bay Lightning), Jack Hughes (New Jersey Devils), Patrick Kane (Detroit Red Wings), Clayton Keller (Utah Mammoth), Matthew Knies (Toronto Maple Leafs), Chris Kreider (Anaheim Ducks), Dylan Larkin (Detroit Red Wings), Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs), J.T. Miller (New York Rangers), Frank Nazar (Chicago Blackhawks), Brock Nelson (Colorado Avalanche), Shane Pinto (Ottawa Senators), Jason Robertson (Dallas Stars), Bryan Rust (Pittsburgh Penguins), Tage Thompson (Buffalo Sabres), Brady Tkachuk (Ottawa Senators), Matthew Tkachuk (Florida Panthers), Vincent Trocheck (New York Rangers), Alex Tuch (Buffalo Sabres)
The Road to Italy
With so much depth and talent on display, Team USA has every reason to believe it can contend for its first Olympic gold in over four decades. Between established NHL superstars, proven international winners, and a new generation of young stars, the roster represents a blend of experience and youthful energy that could define this Olympic run.
Fans will get their first real glimpse of the team’s potential when the camp takes place in Plymouth, but the ultimate test will come in February when the puck drops in Italy.
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