In February, the United States men’s hockey team nearly turned the tides against Canada in the championship match of the 4 Nations Face-Off, falling short only after Connor McDavid scored an overtime goal. Despite this setback, the team remains optimistic about their chances for gold at the upcoming Winter Olympics in Milan, aiming for their first men’s hockey gold since 1980.
Bill Guerin, the team’s general manager, expressed confidence in their roster, stating, “We are going to Milan to win gold, period,” during a recent interview with The Athletic.
The Olympic tournament is scheduled to take place from February 11 to 22, involving 12 nations. The U.S. will begin in a group that includes Germany, Latvia, and Denmark. Late August will see the team hold an orientation camp in Plymouth, Michigan, where they expect to gather around 45 Olympic hopefuls. The final roster will be revealed on December 31.
On Monday, the preliminary rosters for the 12 participating countries were announced, including the U.S.’s first six players. As anticipated by The Athletic, five of the six selections mirror those from the previous 4 Nations Face-Off, with Brady Tkachuk of the Ottawa Senators replacing Adam Fox of the New York Rangers.
Guerin noted, “We looked back at the 4 Nations tournament, and the one thing we all took away — I think everybody can take away — is that there’s just no room out there. You have to be able to play in tight hockey games. You have to be highly competitive, and I think these six players represent that.”
The selected players are:
– **Auston Matthews**, Toronto Maple Leafs: As team captain and first-line center, Matthews has scored more goals than any player since entering the NHL in 2016, with 401 goals to his name. Though he faced injuries during the 4 Nations, he is expected to be a crucial scorer, having recorded three assists in the tournament.
– **Matthew Tkachuk**, Florida Panthers: The eldest son of USA Hockey legend Keith Tkachuk, Matthew is fresh off a Stanley Cup championship. He sustained injuries at the 4 Nations that limited his play, but he boasts a strong record as a two-time 40-goal scorer.
– **Brady Tkachuk**, Ottawa Senators: Demonstrating standout performance at the 4 Nations, Brady’s inclusion in the Olympic roster marks a significant role for him after Adam Fox struggled to match the tournament’s pace. Guerin acknowledged Tkachuk’s vital contributions and stated, “The impact that Brady had on the team … was a big part of it.”
– **Quinn Hughes**, Vancouver Canucks: Though Hughes was held out of the last tournament due to team decisions, he ranks second among NHL defensemen in points over the last four years. His absence was felt in prior games, and he continues to be a key player to watch moving forward.
– **Jack Eichel**, Vegas Golden Knights: Recently crowned a Stanley Cup champion, Eichel finished with four assists in the 4 Nations, proving to be one of the premier two-way centermen in the league with a career-high 94 points last season.
– **Charlie McAvoy**, Boston Bruins: McAvoy was performing exceedingly well during the 4 Nations before a shoulder injury ended his tournament. His mix of offensive skills and physical play is seen as critical for the upcoming games.
The first six players from other countries include notable names like Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid from Canada, as well as players from Finland, Sweden, and more. The anticipation builds as the U.S. prepares for potential glory in Milan next year.