The global stage for ice hockey is set for a spectacular renaissance as the National Hockey League's elite players prepare to return to the Winter Olympics for the first time in over a decade. The United States and Canada, the sport's traditional powerhouses, have unveiled star-studded men's rosters packed with NHL talent for the Milano-Cortina 2026 Games, signalling the return of best-on-best international competition.
End of the NHL Olympic Hiatus Sparks Excitement
For the first time since the 2014 Sochi Games, NHL players will be permitted to participate in the men's Olympic ice hockey tournament. Their absence in 2018 and 2022 significantly diluted the tournament's prestige, leaving the world's finest players watching from home. This year, that changes dramatically.
"NHL players bring a level of star power that elevates everything. It's not just hockey - it's hockey with the best players in the world," said Molly Solomon, executive producer and president for NBC's Olympics and Paralympics Production. The return is expected to generate enormous viewer interest, especially if the historic rivalry between the US and Canada culminates in a medal-round clash.
Star Power Defines North American Rosters
The 25-man US team will be spearheaded by Toronto Maple Leafs phenomenon Auston Matthews, alongside fellow superstars Jack Eichel and Quinn Hughes. Their squad, announced on NBC's Today show, leans heavily on the core that competed in the NHL-run 4 Nations Face-Off tournament in early 2025, where they lost to Canada in a thrilling overtime final.
Notable selections include Tage Thompson, Clayton Keller, and defenseman Seth Jones. However, the management group led by General Manager Bill Guerin faced tough decisions, omitting high-scoring forwards like Jason Robertson, Cole Caufield, and Alex DeBrincat in favour of experienced depth players such as Vincent Trocheck and Brock Nelson.
North of the border, Canada's squad is a constellation of generational talent, featuring the iconic Sidney Crosby, the electrifying Connor McDavid, and the formidable Nathan MacKinnon. Like the Americans, Canada has also selected a roster deeply influenced by their 4 Nations Face-Off lineup.
USA Hockey's Golden Ambition
The availability of top-tier NHL talent has fuelled bold predictions within the US camp. USA Hockey Executive Director Pat Kelleher has forecast a gold medal sweep across the men's, women's, and Paralympic competitions. "What this means is we get our best players," Kelleher stated. "We don't take a back seat to anybody in hockey anymore."
The US men's programme is riding a wave of confidence after winning its first world championship gold in 92 years in May 2025. The Olympic and Paralympic Committee welcomed 44 NHL players from 24 teams to a preparation camp in August, adopting a supportive, hands-off approach to let the hockey experts build their team.
The US men, who last won Olympic gold in the famed "Miracle on Ice" year of 1980, will begin their campaign on 12 February 2026 against Latvia.
Knight Leads New-Look US Women's Team into PWHL Era
On the women's side, legendary forward Hillary Knight will make history by appearing in her fifth Winter Olympics, an American record for her sport. The 36-year-old, who has one gold (2018) and three silver medals, leads a 23-player roster featuring only 11 returnees from the 2022 Beijing silver medal team.
This marks the first Olympics since the launch of the professional Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) in 2024, with 16 current PWHL players named to Team USA. The league is expected to raise the global competitive standard. A landmark inclusion is 21-year-old Wisconsin senior Laila Edwards, who will become the first Black woman to represent the United States in Olympic ice hockey.
Coached by John Wroblewski and considered gold medal favourites, the US women open their tournament against Czechia on 5 February 2026, with the final scheduled for 19 February.
The return of the NHL's brightest stars, combined with the rise of a sustainable professional women's league, sets the stage for what could be a transformative and unforgettable Olympic ice hockey tournament in Italy, captivating audiences worldwide and reigniting passion for the sport on its grandest stage.
