The upcoming world championship is set to feature a star-studded roster for USA Hockey, as the team prepares for the return of NHL players to the Olympics in 2026. John Hynes will lead the team at worlds, with a goal of improving upon their fourth-place finishes in the last two championships. The team has a history of success at the world championship, with six bronze medals and one gold medal dating back to 1933.
The first 15 players announced for the roster include top talent like Brady Tkachuk, Johnny Gaudreau, Seth Jones, Dylan Larkin, and Zach Werenski. Luke Hughes, a young defenseman for the New Jersey Devils, is the youngest player on the roster. Many top American players are still competing in the Stanley Cup playoffs and may not be able to make it to worlds due to schedule conflicts. However, more players are expected to be added to the roster before the tournament starts in Czechia in May.
One standout aspect of this year’s team is that five NHL All-Stars have been included on the roster – a rare occurrence in recent years. Auston Matthews, Quinn Hughes and Connor Hellebuyck are among those selected as All-Stars despite being still busy competing in Stanley Cup playoffs which can often impact team availability for world championships. Despite this challenge, USA Hockey is determined to put together a strong roster that can compete on a global stage.