Team USA Hockey: Heading to Milan 2026 with NHL Stars and Gold Aspirations

United States Fine-Tunes Details for the 2026 Olympic Games

After the resounding success of the 4 Nations Face-Off last February, which marked the return of NHL players to international competition after 12 years, the U.S. ice hockey team is preparing for the 2026 Milan Olympics with its sights set on gold. With coach Mike Sullivan emphasizing the importance of competition, the team recently met in Plymouth, Michigan, for an orientation camp where expectations were defined and team spirit was strengthened.

The expectation is to go to Milan and win the gold medal. Anything less than that would be disappointing.

Jack Eichel

The depth of American talent is greater than ever, presenting significant challenges for General Manager Bill Guerin and his team. Decisions about team composition will be crucial, especially considering that the team will seek its first Olympic gold since the historic “Miracle on Ice” of 1980. The camp, held three weeks before the start of NHL training camps, focused on camaraderie and setting expectations for the players. The main message was clear: the team performed well in the 4 Nations, but the Olympics represent a bigger stage and an opportunity to demonstrate the progress of American hockey. Defenseman Ryan McDonagh, along with Patrick Kane, the only players repeating from the Sochi 2014 Olympic team, pointed out the team’s confidence to compete against any rival. Brett Pesce, for his part, highlighted the mentality of going for gold. The players’ concentration at the camp was notable, with the presence of the 23 players who participated in the 4 Nations, with the exception of Matthew Tkachuk, who is recovering from an injury and is expected to miss the start of the NHL season. In the camp of 44 players, some notable absences stood out, but also surprising incorporations, such as the young Jackson LaCombe, Frank Nazar, Shane Pinto and Alex Vlasic, who were part of the team that won the world championship in May. Guerin emphasized the importance of participation in the world championships as a key factor for the Olympic selection.

Forward Tage Thompson expressed his frustration at not being included in the 4 Nations team, but also expressed his motivation to prove his worth. Coach John Tortorella, in a different role, was a key piece in the coaching staff, providing support to Sullivan and contributing to the team’s success. The intensity of the 4 Nations surprised even the NHL stars. Goalie Connor Hellebuyck highlighted the difference in the level of play compared to the NHL. Quinn Hughes, absent due to injury, regretted missing the tournament and hopes to have the opportunity to compete in the Olympics. Seth Jones’ move from Chicago to Florida gave his career a new boost, and now he seeks to consolidate his position on the Olympic team. The competition for defensive positions will be intense, with players like Adam Fox, Charlie McAvoy, Jaccob Slavin, and Zach Werenski competing for a spot. The NHL season promises to be intense, as players will fight to secure a place on the Olympic teams. Rivalry and motivation will be at their peak in every game. The 4 Nations tournament marked the first time that brothers Brady and Matthew Tkachuk played together outside of an All-Star Game. Now, the Hughes brothers, Quinn, Jack, and Luke, hope to repeat the experience. Quinn is already on the team, and Jack and Luke dream of joining him. The Hughes brothers enjoyed their time together at the camp, sharing moments of camaraderie and competition. Pesce, Luke’s teammate, described the dynamic between the brothers as a mix of rivalry and affection.