Auston Matthews, Tkachuk Bros. Headline USA's 2026 Olympic Hockey Roster

USA Hockey announced the first six representatives from the team it will take to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.

The Vegas Golden Knights' Jack Eichel, Toronto Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews, Ottawa Senators' Brady Tkachuk, Florida Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk, Vancouver Canucks' Quinn Hughes and Boston Bruins' Charlie McAvoy have made the cut so far.

"We've seen the unprecedented success of our U.S. teams on the international stage this past season and we need to keep our foot on the gas," said Bill Guerin, who's serving as national team general manager for the 2026 Olympic cycle. "We haven't won an Olympic gold in men's hockey since 1980 and we're out to change that.

"The players we've named today represent excellence. They're committed to the mission in front of us and excited about the opportunity to represent our country in the Olympics."

The United States advanced to the final of the 4 Nations Face-Off in February, coming up just short in its rematch with Canada. Connor McDavid scored the winner for the Canadians in overtime.

While the Winter Olympics will pose a much different challenge, the showing from the U.S. generated some optimism about how the team will fare this winter.

Beyond just the gold medal drought since 1980, the United States has earned only two medals of any kind in the 46 years after the triumph in Lake Placid, New York. The Americans got silvers in 2002 and 2010.

Maybe their luck is going to turn around finally.

USA Hockey said it will announce the rest of the roster in early January ahead of the Olympic tournament's start on Feb. 11.