Team USA announces captains of 2026 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs has been named the Team USA captain for the rapidly approaching men's ice hockey tournament at the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympic Winter Games.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMatthews is also the captain of the Maple Leafs. Matthew Tkachuk and Charlie McAvoy were named the alternate captains. USA Hockey made the announcement on Feb. 8. Tkachuk also serves as an alternate captain for the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, while McAvoy is an alternate captain for the Boston Bruins. The trio has played together three times on the international stage, most recently in helping the U.S. finish second in last February's 4 Nations Face-Off.
General Manager of the 2026 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team, Bill Guerin, said to USA Hockey that prior leadership experience went into his decision making on naming the three to their current roles with the U.S.
"Auston, Charlie and Matthew did a great job in leading our team a year ago at the 4 Nations Face-Off and it’s great to have them back in those roles for the Olympics," Guerin said. "They all bring different leadership traits to the table and I know all three are excited, as is our whole team, about representing our country as part of Team USA."
Auston Matthews named Team USA captain for Olympics
Team USA will open play in the Olympic Winter Games on Thursday, Feb. 12, in Milan, Italy, against Latvia at Milano Santaguilia Arena.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementPuck drop is slated for 3:10 p.m. EST.
Matthews won the Hart Trophy as the NHL’s most valuable player in 2021-22 and the Rocket Richard Trophy as the NHL’s goal-scoring champion three times (2020-21, 2021-22 and 2023-24).
McAvoy was one of four players who traveled to Milan ahead of the rest of the team and attended the opening ceremony Friday. Tkachuk posted eight points (three goals, five assists) in 10 games this season after returning to the ice from surgery to repair a torn adductor muscle and sports hernia.
The Americans arrived in Italy on the morning of Feb. 8. Team USA is being coached by Mike Sullivan.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMORE:NBC to have Capitals' alum T.J. Oshie as Winter Olympics Analyst
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