Ice hockey at the 2026 Winter Olympics will be a must-watch with NHL players making a long-awaited return to the Games for the first time since Sochi 2014. This makes the likes of Matthew Tkachuk and Auston Matthews eligible for Team USA.
Needless to say, this is a massive boost for a nation craving to get back to glory days in the sport. If not, just ask Team USA general manager Bill Guerin, who dropped a strong warning to those representing the country in Milano Cortina 2026.
“We have to win,” Guerin said in an interview with Aaron Vickers on the NHL’s official website. “We have to win another one of these. It’s been since 1996. We just have to find a way.”
Tkachuk and Matthews may want to take note of the GM’s comments. Even though there’s a long way to go, these stars already know they’ll be carrying much of their country’s hopes in the upcoming Winter Olympics.
Auston Matthews #34 of Team USA skates during the second period against Team Canada in the 2025 NHL 4 Nations Face-Off at the Bell Centre on February 15, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Both the Florida Panthers star and the Toronto Maple Leafs captain are among six NHL players included on Team USA’s preliminary roster for the 2026 Games. The others who made the cut so far are forwards Jack Eichel (Vegas Golden Knights) and Matthew’s brother Brady Tkachuk (Ottawa Senators) as well as defensemen Charlie McAvoy (Boston Bruins) and Quinn Hughes (Vancouver Canucks).
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A huge opportunity for Tkachuk, Matthews to make the USA proud
In fact, Tkachuk is expected to miss a big chunk of the NHL season to return just in time for the Olympics. The 27-year-old, who will turn 28 in December, is enjoying the prime of his career after another incredible season in Florida.
After helping the Cats win their first-ever Stanley Cup in 2024, the Arizona native led the franchise to a second consecutive title in 2025. Tkachuk’s rise to stardom was such that he’s been chosen as the EA Sports NHL 26 cover star.
And while he’s looking to write even more history by chasing the three-peat with the Panthers, Tkachuk hopes to carry his NHL success to the international stage. In February, an injury forced him to watch from the sidelines how his country lost to Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off final.
That defeat also left a sour taste on Matthews, who saw how glory continued to elude him both with the Leafs and Team USA. The 2026 Winter Olympics could be the perfect chance for the American squad to finally get over the hump.
Matthew Tkachuk #19 of Team USA skates against Team Canada during the second period in the 4 Nations Face-Off game at the Bell Centre on February 15, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Team USA dreaming of a long-awaited triumph
Guerin was part of the United States’ side that won the 1996 World Cup, which remains the last time the program emerged triumphant in a best-on-best international tournament.
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When it comes to the Olympics, Team USA hasn’t won gold since 1980. Now that NHL players are set to represent the country again, the pressure is on Tkachuk, Matthews, and company to bring it home.
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“We’re in such a good place right now with the American player pool and we have so many guys to choose from that it does make it tough. We left some really good players off of the 4 Nations team, and we’re going to have to do the same thing with the Olympic team. But we’re going to take the guys we feel are going to give us the best chance to win,” Guerin added. “It doesn’t always come down to points. It comes down to fit and role and all that stuff. But it’s tough.”
As Guerin said, Team USA has an interesting pool of talent to try and build a star-studded roster around Tkachuk and Matthews. But Canada may also put up a fight, with Connor Bedard and Brad Marchand now given a chance to impress with Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby, and Nathan MacKinnon in August’s orientation camp.
