Auston Matthews Leads United States in Ice Hockey at the 2026 Olympics
Star forward Auston Matthews has been named captain of the United States men’s ice hockey team for the 2026 Olympic Games. Players Charlie McAvoy and Matthew Tkachuk will be the assistants. Matthews, who is also captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs, led the team in the recent Four Nations Face-Off, where the United States finished as runners-up after losing to Canada in the final.The designation of Matthews, 28, highlights the growth of hockey in the United States. Raised in Arizona, Matthews trained in the United States National Team Development Program. Matthews has scored 427 goals in 680 NHL games, ranking second among active American players, behind only Patrick Kane, who has 500 goals in 1,345 games. Matthews and Kane are two of the eight Americans selected at number 1 in the NHL draft. The men’s hockey teams, including Team USA, have already begun their training in Milan, where the games will be held. Coach Mike Sullivan avoided revealing the line combinations, but it was observed that Jack Eichel could be playing at center with the Tkachuk brothers, while Matthews would be at the center of another top line, flanked by Matt Boldy and Jake Guentzel. Team USA players have expressed their desire to stay in the Olympic Village to enjoy the full experience. The participation of NHL players in the Olympic Games had not occurred since the Sochi 2014 Games. The United States has not won Olympic gold in men’s hockey since the “Miracle on Ice” team of 1980.“Auston, Charlie and Matthew did a great job leading our team a year ago at the Four Nations and it’s great to have them back in those roles for the Olympics,” said USA general manager Bill Guerin.
Bill Guerin
“It’s incredible to think that we’re here now, and we have this opportunity, and it’s something very special,” Matthews said. “It’s always a great honor to represent your country and wear the Team USA jersey, but obviously it means a lot more when you do it on a stage like the Olympics.”
Auston Matthews
