The USA Hockey team has announced plans to send a star-studded roster to an upcoming world championship, with NHL players preparing for their return to the Olympics in 2026. The team, which includes several NHL All-Stars, will be led by Ottawa Senators forward Brady Tkachuk. Other notable players on the roster include seven-time All-Star Johnny Gaudreau, five-time All-Star Seth Jones, three-time All-Star Dylan Larkin, and two-time All-Star Zach Werenski. Luke Hughes, a 20-year-old defenseman for the New Jersey Devils, is the youngest player on the team. This roster boasts the most All-Stars for a U.S. team since 2019.
However, despite the star power of the roster, many top NHL players do not participate in world championships due to playoff commitments or a desire for rest after a long regular season. Players such as Auston Matthews, Quinn Hughes, and Connor Hellebuyck are currently competing in the Stanley Cup playoffs. The U.S. worlds team is typically composed of 23 players, with additional players expected to be added closer to the start of the tournament in Czechia on May 10th.
The U.S. team has had recent success at world championships, finishing fourth in the last two years and making the semifinals 12 times since the introduction of a bracketed playoff round in 1992. Their best finish during this period was third place (six bronze medals). However, their last silver medal at worlds was in 1950 and their lone gold at a standalone worlds event came in 1933. Recently it was announced that NHL players will be participating in