The United States has invited 44 NHL players, including Patrick Kane and Zach Werenski, to attend the national team orientation camp ahead of finalizing the 25-man roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina. The camp is scheduled for August 26 and 27 in Plymouth, Michigan, and will help determine the official team that will represent the U.S. next February.

Notable Athletes and Their Recent Performances

Zach Werenski, a leading defenseman for the Columbus Blue Jackets, had an impressive season with 82 points, composed of 23 goals and 59 assists across 81 games. His performance earned him a strong finish as a finalist for the Norris Trophy, awarded to the NHL‘s top defenseman, where he placed second to Colorado Avalanche’s Cale Makar. At 28 years old, Werenski is poised to bring his skillful play to the Olympic team.

Patrick Kane, a veteran forward with an extensive NHL career, posted 59 points last season, including 21 goals and 38 assists, representing the Detroit Red Wings in his second year with the team. Over 1,302 regular-season games spanning his time with the Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers, and Red Wings, the 36-year-old has amassed 1,343 points (492 goals and 851 assists). He also holds an impressive playoff record with 138 points in 143 games and has won three Stanley Cups with Chicago in 2010, 2013, and 2015.

2026 Winter Olympics Hockey Tournament Details

The men’s ice hockey tournament at the 2026 Winter Games will begin with preliminary matches on February 11, culminating in the gold medal game on February 22. This event marks the return of NHL players to the Olympics for the first time since the 2014 Sochi Games, a significant development for the tournament’s competitiveness and profile.

The Olympic team roster traditionally includes 14 forwards, eight defensemen, and three goaltenders. Ahead of the camp, six players were already named to the U.S. Olympic roster on June 16: centers Auston Matthews from the Toronto Maple Leafs and Jack Eichel from the Vegas Golden Knights; forwards Brady Tkachuk of the Ottawa Senators and Matthew Tkachuk of the Florida Panthers; and defensemen Quinn Hughes with the Vancouver Canucks and Charlie McAvoy representing the Boston Bruins.

Roster Composition and Camp Inclusion

All of the 23 players who took part in the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament in February, except Matthew Tkachuk due to injury, will attend the upcoming camp. During the 4 Nations, Tkachuk helped the Florida Panthers secure their second consecutive Stanley Cup despite suffering a torn adductor and sports hernia. The United States narrowly lost in an overtime thriller against Canada in the championship game held on February 20.

The orientation camp’s invitees also feature three former No. 1 overall NHL draft picks: Patrick Kane (2007), Auston Matthews (2016), and Jack Hughes (2019), highlighting the strength and depth of the talent pool competing for spots on the Olympic team.

Full U.S. National Team Orientation Camp Roster for 2025

Forwards: Matt Boldy (Minnesota Wild); Cole Caufield (Montreal Canadiens); Logan Cooley (Utah Mammoth); Kyle Connor (Winnipeg Jets); Jack Eichel (Vegas Golden Knights); Conor Garland (Vancouver Canucks); Jake Guentzel (Tampa Bay Lightning); Jack Hughes (New Jersey Devils); Patrick Kane (Detroit Red Wings); Clayton Keller (Utah Mammoth); Matthew Knies (Toronto Maple Leafs); Chris Kreider (Anaheim Ducks); Dylan Larkin (Detroit Red Wings); Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs); J.T. Miller (New York Rangers); Frank Nazar (Chicago Blackhawks); Brock Nelson (Colorado Avalanche); Shane Pinto (Ottawa Senators); Jason Robertson (Dallas Stars); Bryan Rust (Pittsburgh Penguins); Tage Thompson (Buffalo Sabres); Brady Tkachuk (Ottawa Senators); Matthew Tkachuk (Florida Panthers); Vincent Trocheck (New York Rangers); Alex Tuch (Buffalo Sabres)

Defensemen: Brock Faber (Minnesota Wild); Adam Fox (New York Rangers); Luke Hughes (New Jersey Devils); Quinn Hughes (Vancouver Canucks); Noah Hanifin (Vegas Golden Knights); Seth Jones (Florida Panthers); Jackson LaCombe (Anaheim Ducks); Charlie McAvoy (Boston Bruins); Brett Pesce (New Jersey Devils); Neal Pionk (Winnipeg Jets); Jake Sanderson (Ottawa Senators); Brady Skjei (Nashville Predators); Jaccob Slavin (Carolina Hurricanes); Alex Vlasic (Chicago Blackhawks); Zach Werenski (Columbus Blue Jackets)

Goalies: Joey Daccord (Seattle Kraken); Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg Jets); Jake Oettinger (Dallas Stars); Jeremy Swayman (Boston Bruins)

Implications and Outlook for the 2026 Team

The selection of Patrick Kane and Zach Werenski among the focal points of the Olympic camp roster provides a blend of experienced leadership and youthful energy for the U.S. team as it prepares for the Winter Olympics. With NHL players back in the international arena after an eight-year absence, expectations are high for a strong American performance. The camp in Michigan will be critical in shaping the final team, which aims to compete for a medal starting with preliminary games on February 11, 2026.