USA Hockey has assembled a star-studded roster for the upcoming world championship, which will serve as a preparation for the return of NHL players to the Olympics in 2026. The team boasts five NHL All-Stars, including Ottawa Senators forward Brady Tkachuk, who will be making his senior world championship debut at the age of 24. Other notable players on the roster include seven-time All-Star forward Johnny Gaudreau, five-time All-Star defenseman Seth Jones, three-time All-Star forward Dylan Larkin, and two-time All-Star defenseman Zach Werenski. The inclusion of five All-Star players marks the most on a U.S. team since 2019. Typically, USA Hockey’s world championship rosters have featured only one or two All-Stars in the past 15 years. It is important to note that several top NHL players will not be participating in the world championship due to ongoing playoff commitments or a preference for rest after the long regular season. Notable players who will be absent include Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews, Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes, and Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. The world championship rosters typically consist of 23 players, and more are expected to be added to the U.S. team closer to the start of the tournament on May 10 in Czechia. The team will be led by head coach John Hynes, who is also the head coach of the Minnesota Wild. The U.S. team finished fourth in the world championship the last two years and has made the semifinals 12 times since the IIHF reinstituted a bracketed playoff round in 1992. Their best finish in that span was third, with six bronze medals. The last time the U.S. won silver at the worlds was in 1950, and their only gold medal at a standalone worlds came in 1933.
USA Hockey Assembles Star-Studded Roster for World Championship
