Tage Thompson and Clayton Keller played crucial roles in the U.S. securing their first world hockey championship victory since 1933, with Seth Jones contributing significantly to the Florida Panthers’ back-to-back Stanley Cup attempts. These standout performances earned them spots on the U.S. Olympic team for the upcoming Milan Cortina Winter Games, as the only new additions from the 4 Nations Face-Off event held earlier last year.
USA Hockey disclosed its Olympic roster on the “Today” show, mainly consisting of players who competed in the NHL-organized international tournament in February. General manager Bill Guerin praised the team’s unity and chemistry, highlighting how it positively influenced their gameplay during the event.
Clayton Keller, the Utah Mammoth’s captain and a top scorer, led the team at the world championship, while Tage Thompson, from the Buffalo Sabres, showcased consistent point production. Guerin commended Thompson’s exceptional skills, size, and versatility across different positions, emphasizing his value to the team.
Following Canada’s strategy, the U.S. also leaned towards selecting players from the 4 Nations event for the Olympic squad. The team maintained its trio of goaltenders, featuring Connor Hellebuyck, Jake Oettinger, and Jeremy Swayman. Notable exclusions included Jason Robertson, Cole Caufield, and Alex DeBrincat, with Guerin emphasizing the importance of balancing size and skill in team selection.
Guerin and coach Mike Sullivan prioritized familiarity and experience in choosing the final roster, opting for players they were well-acquainted with. Forward Vincent Trocheck and Brock Nelson were preferred over other options, with Seth Jones standing out for his defensive prowess demonstrated in previous playoff performances.
The U.S. Olympic team will consist of 25 players, allowing for significant depth and flexibility in game strategy. The team’s first match is scheduled for February 12 against Latvia.
In a separate announcement, Finland unveiled its Winter Olympic roster, with 24 NHL players and one European-based defenseman, Mikko Lehtonen, who contributed to Finland’s gold medal win in Beijing. The team faced adjustments due to injuries, with Oliver Kapanen stepping in for Aleksander Barkov. Finland’s goaltending remains consistent with Kevin Lankinen, Juuse Saros, and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen returning for the Olympic campaign.
Sweden also revealed their 25-player roster for the Winter Olympics, featuring goaltenders Jesper Wallstedt, Filip Gustavsson, and Jacob Markstrom. The team saw changes from the 4 Nations event, welcoming new additions like Gabriel Landeskog and Philip Broberg while missing key players like Victor Hedman due to injury concerns.
The Olympic ice hockey competitions promise to be intense, with teams gearing up to showcase their best performances on the global stage.