Auston Matthews Named Team USA Hockey Captain for 2026 Olympics, Tkachuk, McAvoy Named Alternates

Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews was also named captain of Team USA for the 2026 Olympics on Sunday.

Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy and Florida Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk were selected as alternate captains for the United States as well.

"Auston, Charlie and Matthew did a great job in leading our team a year ago at Four Nations and it's great to have them back in those roles for the Olympics," U.S. general manager Bill Guerin said in a statement (h/t ESPN's Emily Kaplan). "They all bring different leadership traits to the table and I know all three are excited, as is our whole team, about representing our country as part of Team USA."

Matthews was previously captain of the U.S. squad during the 2025 Four Nations Face-Off.

The 28-year-old has recorded 48 points in 51 games with the Maple Leafs this season, including a team-high 26 goals. He's amassed 427 goals throughout his career, ranking No. 11 among all active NHL players.

"It's crazy to think about now we're here, and you get this opportunity, and it's just very special," Matthews said, via Kaplan. "You're always extremely honored to represent your country and wear the Team USA jersey, but obviously it means that much more when you're doing it at a setting like the Olympics."

Matthews was previously part of the U.S. Under-18 Men's National Team that won gold at the 2014 IIHF Under-18 Men's World Championship.

As for Tkachuk, he didn't make his 2025-26 season debut until Jan. 19 as he recovered from surgery to repair a torn adductor muscle and sports hernia. He's tallied eight points in 10 games.

Tkachuk's father, Keith, previously served as an alternate captain for the United States in the 2004 World Cup of Hockey.

Meanwhile, McAvoy has compiled 35 assists across 45 appearances with the Bruins this season.

Team USA will begin its 2026 Olympic play in a matchup with Latvia on Thursday at 3:10 p.m. ET.