Olympics · 5 hours ago

Winter Olympics: Ranking Team USA’s Men’s Hockey Team Top 10 Players

Grant White

Host · Writer

Winter Olympics Team USA Hockey Roster
2026 TEAM UNITED STATES Men's Hockey Team

TEAM USA FORWARDS (14)

12 - Matt Boldy, Minnesota Wild
81 - Kyle Connor, Winnipeg Jets
9 - Jack Eichel, Vegas Golden Knights
86 - Jack Hughes, New Jersey Devils
59 - Jake Guentzel, Tampa Bay Lightning
91 - Clayton Keller, Utah Mammoth
21 - Dylan Larkin, Detroit Red Wings
34 - Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs (C)
10 - J.T. Miller, New York Rangers
29 - Brock Nelson, Colorado Avalanche
7 - Brady Tkachuk, Ottawa Senators
19 - Matthew Tkachuk, Florida Panthers (A)
72 - Tage Thompson, Buffalo Sabres
16 - Vincent Trocheck, New York Rangers

TEAM USA DEFENSEMEN (8)

14 - Brock Faber, Minnesota Wild
15 - Noah Hanifin, Vegas Golden Knights
43 - Quinn Hughes, Minnesota Wild
2 - Jackson LaCombe, Anaheim Ducks*
25 - Charlie McAvoy, Boston Bruins (A)
85 - Jake Sanderson, Ottawa Senators
74 - Jaccob Slavin, Carolina Hurricanes
8 - Zach Werenski, Columbus Blue Jackets

TEAM GOALIES (3)

37 - Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg Jets
30 - Jake Oettinger, Dallas Stars
1 - Jeremy Swayman, Boston Bruins

* injury replacement for Seth Jones, Florida Panthers
Winter Olympics Team USA Hockey Preview
While the Team USA Women's Ice Hockey team improved to 3-0 in the standings with Monday's win, the Team USA Men's team has to wait one more day before they take the ice in the 2026 Winter Olympics.

At +190 odds to take home the Gold, the United States is the second favorite in Milan, trailing only rival Canada (+130). Pitted against Germany, Latvia, and Denmark in the first stage, Team USA is expected to win its group with ease (-900 Group C Winner). See how far we predict Team USA to advance in our Men's Hockey predictions.

The Americans are -340 to medal in Italy, which should come as no surprise with a star-studded unit including top goalscorers Auston Matthews, Brady Tkachuk, and Matthew Tkachuk, as well as elite netminder Connor Hellebuyck.

A day away from when they finally drop the puck, we rank Team USA's top 10 players on the 2026 Winter Olympics team.

Follow the Winter Olympics Medal Count leaderboard with our live tracker.
1. Quinn Hughes
Quinn Hughes 2025-26 Stats
- 52 GP | 5 G | 52 AST
- 57 PTS | 53.1% Corsi Rating
At this point, I don't think there's any disputing Team USA's best player. Every time Quinn Hughes is on the ice, good things happen. The American rearguard is operating above a point-per-game, is averaging damn near 30 minutes per game, and is just a year-and-a-half removed from claiming his first Norris Trophy. If Team USA wins gold, it will be on the back of Quinn Hughes's massive contributions.
2. Connor Hellebuyck
Connor Hellebuyck 2025-26 Stats
- 36 GP | 13 W | 16 L
- 2.79 GAA | 90.0% SV%
Injuries have slowed down Connor Hellebuyck this season, but there's no diminishing the netminder's impact on Team USA's chances. The reigning Hart and Vezina Trophy winner has finished with a save percentage above 90.0% in all 10 of his professional seasons. Moreover, he's tallied a whopping 77.0 goals saved above average over the past three seasons. Hellebuyck is the stalwart who could turn the tide for Team USA.
3. Matthew Tkachuk
Matthew Tkachuk 2025-26 Stats
- 10 GP | 3 G | 5 AST
- 8 PTS | 53.1% Corsi Rating
It takes a special kind of player to lead his team to back-to-back Stanley Cups, but that's exactly the standard that Matthew Tkachuk sets every time he's on the ice. Also making his way back from injury, Tkachuk has appeared in just 10 games this season. But with two 100-point seasons under his belt and more than a point per game over his last five seasons, Tkachuk should be counted on to lead Team USA from start to finish.
4. Auston Matthews
Auston Matthews 2025-26 Stats
- 51 GP 26 G | 22 AST
- 48 PTS | 46.3% Corsi Rating
Some may be disappointed to see Auston Matthews this far down the list, but there are a few factors to consider. First, Matthews's analytics play has faltered this season. With a 46.3% Corsi rating, the American center has spent more time chasing the puck than having it on his stick. Further, Matthews tends to disappear on the biggest stage. He was a non-factor in last year's 4 Nations Face-Off and always stumbles in the playoffs.
5. Jack Eichel
Jack Eichel 2025-26 Stats
- 50 GP | 21 G | 47 AST
- 68 PTS | 51.4% Corsi Rating
Jack Eichel is having a banner year, and there's an argument to be made that he deserves to be higher on this list. With 68 points in 50 games, Eichel is well on his way to surpassing his previous career-high of 94 points. Skating next to some of the best-skilled players in the world, Eichel can be counted on to deliver.
6. Brady Tkachuk
Brady Tkachuk 2025-26 Stats
- 37 GP | 14 G | 23 AST
- 37 PTS | 58.0% Corsi Rating
Brady Tkachuk could be the most high-octane player in the world. The American winger plays with an unforgiving edge, without compromising on finesse or scoring. With that, the younger Tkachuk can be counted on to drive scoring or shut down opponents' top lines, making him the most dynamic presence on the ice.
7. Charlie McAvoy
Charlie McAvoy 2025-26 Stats
- 45 GP | 4 G | 35 AST
- 39 PTS | 48.8% Corsi Rating
Charlie McAvoy will be one of the rearguards tasked with doing more in Milan-Cortina. The veteran d-man has a proven track record of doing it all on both ends of the ice. McAvoy is a premier scoring threat, but has also finished with a plus-rating in eight of his nine seasons. Expect him to be a leader on and off the ice.
8. Kyle Connor
Kyle Connor 2025-26 Stats
- 56 GP | 25 G | 39 AST
- 64 PTS | 49.5% Corsi Rating
One of the most talented goal scorers on any roster, Kyle Connor is poised to end the Olympic Tournament as one of the top scorers. The left winger already has 25 goals this season, putting him on pace to eclipse the 30-goal mark for the fifth straight year. With playmakers throughout the lineup, Connor will be one of the primary recipients of A+ scoring chances.
9. Jack Hughes
Jack Hughes 2025-26 Stats
- 36 GP | 12 G | 24 AST
- 36 PTS | 58.2% Corsi Rating
Jack Hughes has one of the top analytics profiles of any skater in the tournament. The diminutive forward is one of the best at creating prime scoring chances, and he's virtually untouchable with the puck on his stick. The younger Hughes brother could be one of the more uncelebrated contributors in Italy.
10. Matt Boldy
Matt Boldy 2025-26 Stats
- 54 GP | 32 G | 30 AST
- 62 PTS | 52.0% Corsi Rating
Matt Boldy doesn't get the credit he deserves, but he'll capture everyone's attention at the Olympic Games. The scoring winger has already set a new career-best with 32 goals on the season, and is just 11 points away from his previous career-high with 28 games to play. Insulated by some of the best players in the game, Boldy will finally get the limelight he deserves.
Winter Olympics Team USA Hockey Roster
2026 TEAM UNITED STATES Men's Hockey Team

TEAM USA FORWARDS (14)

12 - Matt Boldy, Minnesota Wild
81 - Kyle Connor, Winnipeg Jets
9 - Jack Eichel, Vegas Golden Knights
86 - Jack Hughes, New Jersey Devils
59 - Jake Guentzel, Tampa Bay Lightning
91 - Clayton Keller, Utah Mammoth
21 - Dylan Larkin, Detroit Red Wings
34 - Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs (C)
10 - J.T. Miller, New York Rangers
29 - Brock Nelson, Colorado Avalanche
7 - Brady Tkachuk, Ottawa Senators
19 - Matthew Tkachuk, Florida Panthers (A)
72 - Tage Thompson, Buffalo Sabres
16 - Vincent Trocheck, New York Rangers

TEAM USA DEFENSEMEN (8)

14 - Brock Faber, Minnesota Wild
15 - Noah Hanifin, Vegas Golden Knights
43 - Quinn Hughes, Minnesota Wild
2 - Jackson LaCombe, Anaheim Ducks*
25 - Charlie McAvoy, Boston Bruins (A)
85 - Jake Sanderson, Ottawa Senators
74 - Jaccob Slavin, Carolina Hurricanes
8 - Zach Werenski, Columbus Blue Jackets

TEAM GOALIES (3)

37 - Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg Jets
30 - Jake Oettinger, Dallas Stars
1 - Jeremy Swayman, Boston Bruins

* injury replacement for Seth Jones, Florida Panthers
Winter Olympics Team USA Hockey Preview
While the Team USA Women's Ice Hockey team improved to 3-0 in the standings with Monday's win, the Team USA Men's team has to wait one more day before they take the ice in the 2026 Winter Olympics.

At +190 odds to take home the Gold, the United States is the second favorite in Milan, trailing only rival Canada (+130). Pitted against Germany, Latvia, and Denmark in the first stage, Team USA is expected to win its group with ease (-900 Group C Winner). See how far we predict Team USA to advance in our Men's Hockey predictions.

The Americans are -340 to medal in Italy, which should come as no surprise with a star-studded unit including top goalscorers Auston Matthews, Brady Tkachuk, and Matthew Tkachuk, as well as elite netminder Connor Hellebuyck.

A day away from when they finally drop the puck, we rank Team USA's top 10 players on the 2026 Winter Olympics team.

Follow the Winter Olympics Medal Count leaderboard with our live tracker.