MILAN — Auston Matthews has been appointed captain of the U.S. men’s hockey team for the 2026 Olympics, with Charlie McAvoy and Matthew Tkachuk serving as alternates.
Matthews, who currently leads the Toronto Maple Leafs, captained the U.S. team at last February’s 4 Nations Face-Off, where they narrowly lost to Canada in the finals. U.S. general manager Bill Guerin praised the trio’s leadership, stating, “Auston, Charlie and Matthew did a great job in leading our team a year ago at Four Nations, and it’s great to have them back in those roles for the Olympics. They all bring different leadership traits to the table, and I know all three are excited, as is our whole team, about representing our country as part of Team USA.”
At 28 years old, Matthews exemplifies the growth of hockey in the United States. With a Mexican-American mother and a father from California, he was raised in Arizona and honed his skills through the U.S. National Team Development Program as a teenager. In his NHL career, Matthews has scored 427 goals in 680 games, placing him second among active American-born players, just behind Patrick Kane who has netted 500 goals in 1,345 games. Both Matthews and Kane are among only eight Americans to ever be selected No. 1 overall in the NHL draft.
Most of the NHL players participating in the Olympics arrived in Milan on Sunday, and by afternoon, Team USA was on the ice for their first practice. Coach Mike Sullivan indicated that the team wanted to keep their line combinations under wraps, but initial drills suggested Jack Eichel was centering the Tkachuk brothers, while Matthews was flanked by Matt Boldy and Jake Guentzel.
The American players expressed their enthusiasm about living in the Olympic village for the full experience. NHL players have not participated in the Olympics since the 2014 Games in Sochi, and the U.S. men’s hockey team has not secured an Olympic gold since the legendary 1980 Miracle on Ice.
“It’s crazy to think about now we’re here, and you get this opportunity, and it’s just very special,” Matthews said. “You’re always extremely honored to represent your country and wear the Team USA jersey, but obviously it means that much more when you’re doing it at a setting like the Olympics.”
This opportunity signifies a vital moment for American hockey, as the team aims to reclaim its place as a top contender on the Olympic stage. The excitement surrounding the tournament and the leadership of Matthews, McAvoy, and Tkachuk could inspire a new generation of players and fans alike.