New Jersey Devils star Jack Hughes is set to make his Olympic debut after being named to the Team USA men’s hockey roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina, Italy. The announcement came on January 2, 2026, during NBC’s Today Show, where Hughes joined the broadcast to help unveil the full 25-player lineup.
This marks Hughes’ first appearance at the Olympic Games, a notable milestone as NHL players return to the international stage for the first time since 2014. The roster blends veteran NHL talent with younger stars, creating one of the most competitive U.S. teams in recent memory. Hughes will also share the ice with his older brother, Quinn Hughes of the Minnesota Wild, adding a rare family dimension to Team USA’s squad. Quinn was among the first six players named to the roster last June, solidifying the Hughes brothers’ joint presence on the international stage.
Hughes’ selection comes despite a hand injury sustained in November, a testament to his skill and importance to Team USA. Through 22 games this season, Hughes has accumulated 22 points, evenly split between 11 goals and 11 assists, highlighting his consistent offensive production. Devils General Manager Bill Guerin emphasized that Hughes’ talent and versatility made his spot on the roster all but guaranteed.
The Devils will be well represented in Milan and Cortina beyond Hughes. Nico Hischier, Timo Meier, and Jonas Siegenthaler will skate for Switzerland, Ondrej Palat for Czechia, and Simon Nemec for Slovakia. Jack Hughes’ participation reinforces New Jersey’s growing footprint in international hockey competition, showcasing the state’s contribution to elite-level talent.
Team USA is placed in Group C for the preliminary round and will open Olympic play on February 12, 2026, against Latvia. The gold medal game is scheduled for February 22, offering a condensed but high-stakes window for competition. Led by head coach Mike Sullivan of the New York Rangers, the team boasts a mix of forwards, defensemen, and goaltenders drawn from across the NHL. Key forwards joining Hughes include Auston Matthews, Dylan Larkin, Brady Tkachuk, and J.T. Miller, while defensemen like Seth Jones, Charlie McAvoy, and Zach Werenski will provide stability at the back. Goaltending duties will be shared by Connor Hellebuyck, Jake Oettinger, and Jeremy Swayman.
For Hughes, the Olympics present a unique opportunity to test himself against the world’s best while representing his country on the sport’s grandest stage. The anticipation is building not only in New Jersey but across the hockey community, as fans track Team USA’s preparation and tournament performance. The state’s growing influence on high-level hockey is mirrored in broader athletic coverage, which can be explored further in the site’s hockey and sports section, tracking rising stars and elite talent from New Jersey’s developmental pipelines to international competition.
As the Winter Games approach, all eyes will be on Hughes and his fellow Olympians, with hopes high that Team USA can leverage its blend of experience and youth to compete for gold on the ice in Italy.
The final Team USA men’s Olympic hockey roster features a total of 25 players, including Jack Hughes, his brother Quinn Hughes, and a strong mix of top NHL talent.
Full Roster by Position
Forwards
- Matt Boldy, Minnesota Wild
- Kyle Connor, Winnipeg Jets
- Jack Eichel, Vegas Golden Knights
- Jake Guentzel, Tampa Bay Lightning
- Jack Hughes, New Jersey Devils
- Clayton Keller, Utah Mammoth
- Dylan Larkin, Detroit Red Wings
- Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs
- J.T. Miller, New York Rangers
- Brock Nelson, Colorado Avalanche
- Tage Thompson, Buffalo Sabres
- Brady Tkachuk, Ottawa Senators
- Matthew Tkachuk, Florida Panthers
- Vincent Trocheck, New York Rangers
Defensemen
- Brock Faber, Minnesota Wild
- Noah Hanifin, Vegas Golden Knights
- Quinn Hughes, Minnesota Wild
- Seth Jones, Florida Panthers
- Charlie McAvoy, Boston Bruins
- Jake Sanderson, Ottawa Senators
- Jaccob Slavin, Carolina Hurricanes
- Zach Werenski, Columbus Blue Jackets
Goaltenders
- Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg Jets
- Jake Oettinger, Dallas Stars
- Jeremy Swayman, Boston Bruins
The team will be coached by Mike Sullivan, head coach of the New York Rangers. The U.S. will open Olympic play on February 12, 2026, against Latvia.
