Bill Guerin, the general manager of the 2026 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team, observed the 44 players present at the U.S. Men’s Olympic Orientation Camp in Plymouth, Michigan, this August and recognized a collection of individuals with diverse achievements.
Stanley Cup champions, IIHF Men’s World champions, IIHF World Junior gold medalists, collegiate champions, and more. The assembly represented a distinguished roster of hockey success stories.
“This is the finest generation of USA Hockey players that has ever existed,” Guerin stated. “The number of players available for selection is so vast that we could field three teams (at the Olympics) and compete effectively every night.
“However, now we must deliver. We need to perform on the grandest stage in front of the world and demonstrate to everyone that this is our identity. There’s no reason we shouldn’t be the best. We are. It’s all about the colors. It’s all about that, but it’s fundamentally about winning gold.”
This golden optimism within the Saint John’s Resort was not limited to the men’s team.
The U.S. Olympic Women’s Ice Hockey Team also harbors its own aspirations for Milan. They possess a roster of talented women so extensive that they could assemble multiple competitive teams for international events. Several players on this year’s squad have already experienced Olympic success with a gold medal in 2018 and are eager to secure another during this Olympic cycle.
When combining the men’s and women’s teams with a formidable Paralympic Sled Hockey Team, which aims to achieve a record-setting fifth consecutive gold medal this March at the Paralympic Winter Games, the opportunity arises for USA Hockey to accomplish something unprecedented: winning three gold medals at the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
“I get chills just thinking about it,” remarked Taylor Heise, who has been centering one of the U.S. Olympic Women’s Ice Hockey Team’s most dynamic lines in Milan thus far (Hannah Bilka – Taylor Heise – Abbey Murphy).
The U.S. Olympic Women’s Ice Hockey Team is currently 4-0 and concluded preliminary play with a 5-0 victory over Canada. The team will face Italy in the quarterfinals on Friday at 3:10 p.m. ET (USA Network | Peacock).
“This is a collective mentality, and that’s what we strive for,” Heise stated. “We recognize that we are backed by the men’s team, and we support the sled team as well. In women’s hockey, men’s hockey, and sled hockey, we want everyone to succeed if they wear a USA emblem on their jersey.”
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Hilary Knight, who contributed to the U.S. winning gold in 2018 at the Pyeongchang Olympic Winter Games, added, “Gold is always the objective when we embark on this journey. When you achieve victory, that legacy and that body of work are remembered eternally.
“If all teams sweep the podium, it’s us making our mark. We’re putting USA on the map for hockey.”
The United States has already begun to assert its dominance last year, securing gold medals at both the senior men’s and women’s IIHF World Championships and at the World Para Ice Hockey Championship.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team will include NHL players for the first time since 2014 when the team commences preliminary play Thursday against Latvia at 3:10 p.m. ET (USA Network | Peacock).
“We haven’t started our games yet, so we’re really looking forward to those,” Jack Eichel stated during a tour of the Starbucks Winter House. “Just the overall atmosphere. Having the opportunity to represent your country, being here, wearing the red, white, and blue, supporting the other athletes from our country, and cheering them on has been incredible.
“There are many things happening around you, but ultimately our goal here is to get on the ice, compete, and win hockey games. I’m eager to get that underway. Once the games begin, everything will fall into place, and we’ll proceed with our regular routine.”
Auston Matthews, who was appointed captain on Sunday, expressed that the group is dedicated and focused on delivering the United States its first gold medal in men’s ice hockey since the 1980 Miracle On Ice team captured the hearts and spirit of a nation over 45 years ago.
“Why not? We’re right there,” Matthews stated. “Clearly, we demonstrated that at the 4 Nations (Face-Off). I believed throughout the tournament we showcased that we are the best team, the best country in the world. We fell short, but we have the confidence that we are the best country in the world, and it’s thrilling to have the chance to prove it.
“USA Hockey continues to ascend, and the talent we keep producing is exciting.”
And where does that talent originate?
“USA Hockey has numerous staff and volunteers who dedicate countless hours to growing the game and expanding access to the sport,” Declan Farmer, a four-time Paralympian, stated. “Each program winning gold in Milan would truly be the culmination of decades of hard work, illustrating one of the reasons why investing in grassroots is worthwhile.”
A version of this story originally appeared in the 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games USA Hockey Magazine preview issue.
Team USA Roster 
2026 U.S. Olympic Men’s Hockey Home 
Men’s Olympic History 
2026 U.S. Olympic Women’s Hockey Home 
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