The U.S. is getting a step closer to building out its roster ahead of the 2026 Olympics in Milan-Cortina, Italy.
On Tuesday, USA Hockey announced the list of 44 players invited to the country’s men’s Olympic orientation camp, headlined by superstars like Auston Matthews, Brady Tkachuk and Quinn Hughes.
The camp will take place on Aug. 26-27 in Plymouth, Mich., and according to USA Hockey, it is a largely administrative and team-building event that will include no formal on-ice activity.
All 23 players selected to the United States’ second-place 4 Nations Face-Off roster were once again invited to attend the event.
Among the players selected, five have already suited up for the United States at the Olympics, with Patrick Kane and Ryan McDonagh playing for the team prior to the NHL being out of the past two Winter Games. Joining them are Brock Faber, Matthew Knies and Jake Sanderson, all of whom played in 2022 in Beijing before they were in the NHL.
In June, USA Hockey announced its first six players selected to the 2026 U.S. Olympic men’s team, with Jack Eichel, Quinn Hughes, Auston Matthews, Charlie McAvoy, Brady Tkachuk and Matthew Tkachuk all getting the nod.
Matthew Tkachuk will be unable to attend the camp due to injuries he suffered in the 4 Nations Face-Off earlier this year, which he played through during the playoffs en route to guiding the Panthers to a second straight Stanley Cup.
The final 25-man roster for the Olympics is expected to be announced in early January.
The men’s Olympic hockey tournament runs Feb. 11-22. Canada won its third gold medal in four Games, the last time NHL players participated in the Olympics in 2014.
Here’s a look at the full list of invitees for the orientation camp:
Forwards: Matt Boldy, Cole Caufield, Logan Cooley, Kyle Connor, Jack Eichel, Conor Garland, Jake Guentzel, Jack Hughes, Patrick Kane, Clayton Keller, Matthew Knies, Chris Kreider, Dylan Larkin, Auston Matthews, J.T. Miller, Frank Nazar, Brock Nelson, Shane Pinto, Jason Robertson, Bryan Rust, Tage Thompson, Brady Tkachuk, Matthew Tkachuk, Vincent Trocheck, Alex Tuch
Defencemen: Brock Faber, Adam Fox, Luke Hughes, Quinn Hughes, Noah Hanifin, Seth Jones, Jackson LaCombe, Charlie McAvoy, Ryan McDonagh, Brett Pesce, Neal Pionk, Jake Sanderson, Brady Skjei, Jaccob Slavin, Alex Vlasic, Zach Werenski
Goaltenders: Joey Daccord, Connor Hellebuyck, Jake Oettinger, Jeremy Swayman
