Four current and two former players from the University of Wisconsin’s women’s hockey team have secured spots on the Team USA roster for the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina. USA Hockey announced the roster on Friday, featuring current players Laila Edwards, Caroline Harvey, Ava McNaughton, and Kirsten Simms, alongside alumni Britta Curl-Salemme and Hilary Knight. In addition, current athletic trainer Stefanie Arndt and former director of operations/equipment manager Sis Paulsen will serve in staff roles for Team USA.
The announcement, broadcast on NBC’s TODAY show, featured Edwards prominently showcasing the selected team. For Curl-Salemme, Edwards, McNaughton, and Simms, this will be their inaugural Olympic appearance, contributing to a total of 23 Olympians in the history of the program. Harvey, who participated in the 2022 Games prior to her UW career, is a returning athlete, while Knight will set a remarkable record as the first American to play in five Olympic Games.
The Badgers boast an impressive representation, with six players making the roster, the most from any college in the nation and the highest representation for Wisconsin since the 2010 Olympics, when seven Badgers were selected. Recently, all six players have showcased their talent on the ice, having competed against Canada in the 2025 Rivalry Series, where Team USA secured victories in all four games, outscoring their rivals 24-7.
Curl-Salemme, who captained the Badgers during the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons, has made significant contributions to the sport, including winning championships with the Minnesota Frost in the PWHL. Edwards, making her Olympic debut, recently led the nation in goals, and she has made history as the first Black woman to play for the U.S. women’s senior national team, now taking the stage on an Olympic level.
Harvey, having won a silver medal at the Beijing 2022 Olympics, continues to shine as the captain of the Badgers while being the all-time leader in defensive points in the school’s history. Knight holds a historic standing as the most seasoned Olympian in U.S. women’s hockey, bringing a wealth of experience and leadership to the team.
McNaughton, one of the youngest players on the roster and a celebrated goaltender, and Simms, who has displayed heroics in previous championship games, also round out the talented group representing Wisconsin. This Olympic cycle marks a significant departure from tradition, as it will be the first time Team USA does not centralize its players leading up to the Games, allowing NCAA and PWHL athletes to maintain their competitive seasons.
Following their participation in January series for the Badgers, these players will depart for Italy, with the chance to return for the remainder of the NCAA season after the Olympics conclude.
Team USA’s schedule features key preliminary matches starting on February 5 against Czechia, with subsequent games against Finland, Switzerland, and Canada, culminating in potentially pivotal quarterfinal and semifinal rounds. The U.S. team hopes to build on the strong performances of previous tournaments and strive for Olympic glory in 2026.