sports

January 2, 2026

Best-on-best hockey returns as US and Canada unveil Olympic squads

The return of ice hockey’s biggest stars to the Winter Games could spark a renaissance for the sport on the global stage, as gold-medal favorites United States and Canada handpicked top NHL talent for the Milano-Cortina Olympics.

Best-on-best hockey returns as US and Canada unveil Olympic squads

TL;DR

  • NHL players are returning to Olympic ice hockey for the 2026 Milano-Cortina Games after a hiatus since 2014.
  • The US and Canada have unveiled rosters for the men's tournament featuring prominent NHL stars like Auston Matthews, Jack Eichel, Sidney Crosby, and Connor McDavid.
  • Broadcasters anticipate increased viewership due to the presence of top NHL talent and potential rivalries between the US and Canada.
  • The US men's team aims for gold, having not won since 1980, while Canada last won in 2010 and 2014.
  • The US women's team, led by Hilary Knight, also enters the Games as a favorite, with 16 players from the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) on the roster.
  • The inclusion of PWHL players is expected to raise the level of international competition.
  • USA Hockey Executive Director Pat Kelleher boldly predicted a US gold medal sweep across men's, women's, and Paralympic competitions.

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