At a Glance
- Team USA unveiled Olympic hockey rosters for the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.
- Men’s roster largely drawn from the NHL’s February international tournament; key exclusions include Chris Kreider and Adam Fox.
- Women’s squad features 11 returning silver medalists and first Black female player Laila Edwards.
- Why it matters: These rosters set the stage for U.S. hopes in men’s, women’s, and sled hockey at the Games.
Team USA announced its Olympic hockey rosters for the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics in February. The men’s lineup was revealed on the “Today” show, featuring players from the NHL’s international tournament that saw the U.S. reach the final before falling to Canada in overtime. The announcement highlighted the absence of Chris Kreider and Adam Fox, who did not return from the “4 Nations” face-off.
Men’s Team Highlights
The roster is a mix of seasoned veterans and rising stars. Excluded from the squad were Jason Robertson, Cole Caufield, and Alex DeBrincat, all top scorers this season. Tage Thompson, who helped the U.S. win its first world championship since 1933, expressed pride in representing the country.
Tage Thompson stated:
> “Anytime you get to put that crest on and represent your country, it means a lot… I mean, the men and women who sacrifice… I take a lot of pride in being an American.”
Women’s Team Highlights
Eleven members of the 2022 Beijing silver medal squad return, including Hilary Knight, making her fifth Olympic appearance. The team also welcomes newcomers such as defender Laila Edwards, who will be the first Black female player to compete for the U.S. at the Olympics.
Laila Edwards reflected:
> “It still hasn’t really kicked in yet. Getting that call is like a dream come true… Always had dreams of playing in the pros, but the biggest dream was to go the Olympics for sure.”
Sled Hockey Team
Declan Farmer, a three-time gold medalist, will rejoin the 2026 U.S. Paralympic sled hockey team for Milan after a weaker turnout in Beijing 2020 due to COVID. A dozen team members have previously medaled at Olympic games.
Declan Farmer said:
> “We’re really excited to get to Milan, and share these memories with everyone who made it possible for us.”
| Team | Returning Medalists | Key Firsts |
|---|---|---|
| Men | 0 | 0 |
| Women | 11 | Laila Edwards (first Black female) |
| Sled | 12 | 0 |
The full rosters are available on TeamUSA.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Key Takeaways
- Men’s roster largely mirrors the NHL tournament lineup, with notable absences of Chris Kreider and Adam Fox.
- Women’s squad features 11 returning silver medalists and introduces Laila Edwards as the first Black female Olympic hockey player for the U.S.
- Sled hockey team includes 12 former medalists, with Declan Farmer returning for a third gold.
Team USA’s rosters set the stage for a historic and competitive presence at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, showcasing both veteran experience and groundbreaking milestones.
