Team USA Hits the Ice in Milan: Chemistry Building, Line Shuffling, and Olympic Vibes in Full Swing
The U.S. men’s hockey team touched down in Milan on Sunday morning, and by evening, they were already on the ice at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. It was the first official practice for the Americans ahead of the Olympic tournament, and while the arena looked sharp, the ice surface left something to be desired.
Players described it as “soft,” and head coach Mike Sullivan noted it was already chewed up after a full day of practices from other teams. Thankfully, with the tournament not starting until Thursday, there’s time for the ice crew to get things dialed in.
But Sunday night wasn’t about systems or scrimmages. It was about getting the legs moving and the blood flowing after a long transatlantic flight.
“Obviously, a lot of us just got off the plane this morning,” Sullivan said. “The main objective was just to try to move the blood out there, get them a sweat, get their heart rates up a little bit. Hopefully they’ll sleep better, feel better, and we can start to normalize the time zone and circadian rhythm.”
Top Lines Taking Shape
While nothing is set in stone, Sullivan gave us a glimpse of what the top of the lineup might look like. Jack Eichel was centering the Tkachuk brothers - Brady and Matthew - while team captain Auston Matthews skated between Jake Guentzel and Matt Boldy.
That second trio, in particular, has the potential to be a nightmare for opposing defenses. Boldy, the Wild winger, leads this American Olympic roster with 32 goals, and he’s clearly embracing the opportunity.
“There’s a lot of scoring talent on that line, so it’d be pretty special if I play with them,” Boldy said. “But honestly, you can’t go wrong with who you’re playing with here.
Everyone’s so good. If that’s my spot, great.
If not, you find chemistry with other guys and go make something happen.”
Defensive Pairings Still Fluid - But Deep
On the blue line, Sullivan reunited Jaccob Slavin and Brock Faber, who were paired together during the 4 Nations Face-Off. That’s despite the fact that Faber and Quinn Hughes have been lights-out together since Hughes was traded to Minnesota. Hughes skated with Charlie McAvoy on Sunday, while other pairings included Zach Werenski with Noah Hanifin and Jake Sanderson with Jackson Lacombe.
Faber, for his part, isn’t sweating the combinations.
“It’s such a deep defensive corps that I’m happy to play with anyone,” he said. “They’re all such good players.
Slavin saved my butt a few times at 4 Nations. He’s a tremendous defensive partner.”
Hughes echoed the sentiment: “Brock’s an elite player, and if I play with him, great. If I play with someone else, great. We’ve got a bunch of elite guys.”
Bottom Six Still in Flux
As for the bottom six forward group, Sullivan mixed and matched a handful of versatile players - Tage Thompson, Vincent Trocheck, J.T. Miller, Brock Nelson, Clayton Keller, Kyle Connor, Jack Hughes, and Dylan Larkin all saw time in various combinations. The flexibility is by design, and the Olympic format - which allows teams to dress 20 skaters instead of the NHL’s 18 - gives Sullivan more room to experiment.
“We have a little bit of time,” he said. “We have an idea of what we want to start with, and that will unfold over the next couple of days.
One of the things we love about this roster is the versatility. We’ve got a lot of centermen who can play wing.
We can move guys around depending on how lines are performing. It gives us options.”
One thing that does seem certain: the Tkachuk brothers will be playing together.
“They were terrific at the 4 Nations event,” Sullivan said. “In a lot of ways, they were the catalyst for helping us become the team we wanted to be in that tournament. They bring energy, physicality, and skill - a rare blend.”
McAvoy Battling Through the Pain
Charlie McAvoy practiced Sunday with a full face shield, protecting a jaw that’s once again swollen after taking a puck to the face from Florida’s Sandis Vilmanis last week. Fortunately, the jaw wasn’t refractured - just sore.
“We’re very relieved,” Sullivan said. “It was concerning to watch.
Charlie plays the game so hard. He’s a fierce competitor who puts himself in harm’s way for the sake of his team.
That speaks volumes about his toughness. He’s not just physical - he’s willing to take hits to make plays.
That’s real toughness.”
Sullivan, who also happens to be McAvoy’s father-in-law, knows better than most what kind of player - and person - McAvoy is.
Jack Hughes Back on the Ice
Jack Hughes was a full participant in Sunday’s skate after missing the last three games with the Devils due to a lower-body injury. Sullivan confirmed there will be no restrictions on Hughes in practice this week.
“I feel good,” Hughes said. “The body feels in a good spot.”
There’s been some chatter about Hughes missing NHL games but showing up ready to go for Team USA, but his brother Quinn was quick to defend him.
“Injuries are tough,” Quinn said. “The one with the hand earlier this season was a freak thing.
He just wants to be healthy and at his best. No one hates missing games more than him.”
Quinn, who missed last year’s 4 Nations tournament, is just grateful to be here now.
“I’d feel bad for anyone who missed the Olympics,” he said. “4 Nations is one thing, but the Olympics is the Olympics. I’m just thankful to be here this year and have more gratitude, if anything.”
Olympic Village Vibes
The Hughes brothers are rooming together in the Olympic Village, and they’re right across the hall from the Tkachuk brothers, who’ve already dubbed their room “Club Tkachuk.”
“They’re like family to us,” Matthew Tkachuk said of the Hugheses. “We’ve got a good little wing in our area. It’s pretty much hanging out with them 24/7.”
Eichel couldn’t resist a jab: “I think they probably push their beds together.”
While NHL players could opt for hotel accommodations, the Americans chose to stay in the athletes’ village to soak in the full Olympic experience.
“I’m not going to say I hate the posh hotels,” Eichel said. “But this is a really cool experience.
It brings me back to college - small dorm, roommate two feet away. But it brings the guys together.”
Leadership Group Locked In
As expected, Auston Matthews was named captain of the squad. Matthew Tkachuk and Charlie McAvoy will wear the “A”s.
With a roster full of NHL stars, a deep defensive group, and a locker room that’s already gelling off the ice, Team USA is setting the stage for what could be a memorable Olympic run. The real test begins Thursday - but the groundwork is being laid now.