The Olympic stage is set, and Team USA is locked in for what promises to be a thrilling run at gold in Milan. With the NHL hitting pause at the midway point of its season, the best American players are trading their club sweaters for red, white, and blue - and that means Olympic hockey is about to get real.
Let’s break down what fans can expect from the U.S. men’s hockey team at the 2026 Winter Olympics, from how to watch to who’s suiting up for the stars and stripes.
How to Watch Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics
If you’re looking to catch every second of Team USA’s quest for gold, you’ve got options. All of the U.S. men’s preliminary round games will air live on USA Network and stream on Peacock. Once the tournament reaches the quarterfinal stage, NBC will start picking up coverage as well.
Peacock is going all-in on Olympic coverage, streaming every single event from Milan and Cortina live. That’s in addition to its already stacked sports lineup, which includes everything from NFL Sunday Night Football to Premier League soccer and Big Ten hoops. So if you’re already tuned into Peacock, you’re set.
Team USA Men’s Hockey Schedule - 2026 Winter Olympics
Here’s when the U.S. hits the ice during the preliminary round:
- Thursday, Feb. 12 🇺🇸 USA vs. Latvia - 3:10 p.m.
ET
📺 USA Network, Peacock
- Saturday, Feb. 14 (Opponent and time TBD)
- Sunday, Feb. 15 (Opponent and time TBD)
The full schedule beyond the opener is still being finalized, but the Feb. 12 matchup against Latvia will give fans their first real glimpse at this star-studded American roster in action.
Team USA Men’s Olympic Hockey Roster - 2026
Let’s talk about the names on the back of those USA jerseys - because this roster is loaded.
Forwards (14)
- Matt Boldy - Minnesota Wild
- Kyle Connor - Winnipeg Jets
- Jack Eichel - Vegas Golden Knights
- Jack Hughes - New Jersey Devils
- Jake Guentzel - Tampa Bay Lightning
- Clayton Keller - Utah Mammoth
- Dylan Larkin - Detroit Red Wings
- Auston Matthews - Toronto Maple Leafs
- J.T. Miller - New York Rangers
- Brock Nelson - Colorado Avalanche
- Brady Tkachuk - Ottawa Senators
- Matthew Tkachuk - Florida Panthers
- Tage Thompson - Buffalo Sabres
- Vincent Trocheck - New York Rangers
This forward group blends elite scoring talent with physicality and speed. You’ve got top-tier playmakers like Matthews and Hughes, power forwards like the Tkachuk brothers, and proven finishers in Eichel and Connor. There’s depth, versatility, and no shortage of guys who can take over a game.
Defensemen (8)
- Brock Faber - Minnesota Wild
- Noah Hanifin - Vegas Golden Knights
- Quinn Hughes - Vancouver Canucks
- Jackson LaCombe - Anaheim Ducks
- Charlie McAvoy - Boston Bruins
- Jake Sanderson - Ottawa Senators
- Jaccob Slavin - Carolina Hurricanes
- Zach Werenski - Columbus Blue Jackets
This blue line features a mix of smooth-skating puck movers and shutdown specialists. Quinn Hughes brings elite offensive instincts, McAvoy and Slavin are anchors in their own zone, and Faber and Sanderson give the group a youthful edge. It’s a unit built to move the puck quickly and frustrate opposing top lines.
Goaltenders (3)
- Connor Hellebuyck - Winnipeg Jets
- Jake Oettinger - Dallas Stars
- Jeremy Swayman - Boston Bruins
Between the pipes, Team USA is in good hands. Hellebuyck brings experience and a Vezina-caliber resume, while Oettinger and Swayman offer high-end talent and recent playoff success. This trio gives the U.S. a chance to steal games if needed - and that’s a luxury not every team has.
Coaching Staff
While the full coaching staff details haven’t been released yet, expect a group with deep NHL and international experience. Guiding a roster this talented takes more than just drawing up X’s and O’s - it’s about managing egos, building chemistry, and making the right call when the tournament is on the line.
What’s at Stake
For Team USA, the goal is simple: gold. The last time American men stood atop the Olympic podium was 1980 - and while there have been some close calls since, the hunger for another golden moment is real. With NHL stars back in the mix for the first time since 2014, this year feels different.
This roster has the firepower, the depth, and the goaltending to make a serious run. But so do Canada, Sweden, Finland, and a few other heavyweights. The margin for error is razor-thin in Olympic hockey, and one bounce can change everything.
Still, there’s a quiet confidence around this group. And if they can find the right rhythm early, don’t be surprised if they’re playing for something big come late February.
Get ready - Olympic hockey is back, and Team USA is coming in hot.