Team USA rolls into the Olympics with its elite defensive team, set to lock horns against Latvia

As NHL stars from 32 teams have arrived in Milan for the 2026 Winter Olympics, marking the league's return to the Games after a 12-year absence since Sochi 2014, the team USA has rolled into the Olympic Games with its elite defensive team. The men's hockey tournament is scheduled to start on February 11, 2026, and the players of Team USA are already confident to bring home a gold medal from the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.

This confidence was born one year ago from the 4 Nations Face-Off, where the U.S. came within one goal of winning the best-on-best tournament. It was strengthened by a gold-medal performance at the IIHF World Championship last spring, as per the NHL. Meanwhile, the teams are divided into groups of four. Group A has Canada, Czechia, France, and Switzerland. Group B includes Finland, Italy, Slovakia, and Sweden, and Group C includes Denmark, Germany, Latvia, and the U.S.

Team USA chases gold with an elite defensive team in the Milano Cortina 2026

Team USA has arrived in Italy with its elite defensive players and a strong defensive roster for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, fueling expectations of a gold medal. Players like Quinn Hughes and Zach Werenski highlight the group's elite talent and versatility ahead of their opener against Latvia on February 12.

The eight defensemen include Norris Trophy winners Quinn Hughes (Minnesota Wild, 2023-24) and Zach Werenski (Columbus Blue Jackets, second in points this season with 62). Charlie McAvoy (Boston Bruins), Jaccob Slavin (Carolina Hurricanes), Brock Faber (Wild), Noah Hanifin (Vegas Golden Knights), Jake Sanderson (Ottawa Senators), and Jackson LaCombe (Anaheim Ducks).


As reported by the NHL, Zach Werenski of the Columbus Blue Jackets is second among all NHL defensemen this season with 62 points, 20 goals, and 42 assists, trailing only Evan Bouchard of the Edmonton Oilers (63 points; 15 goals, 48 assists). He could be paired with McAvoy, the Bruins’ top defenseman.

While Jaccob Slavin of the Carolina Hurricanes is considered by many as the best defensive defenseman in the NHL, and Noah Hanifin (Vegas Golden Knights) has had at least 35 points in a season four times.

Apart from them, players like Jake Sanderson (Ottawa Senators) and Jackson LaCombe (Anaheim Ducks) are up-and-coming stars in the League. Sanderson is 23 years old; LaCombe is 25. Cale Makar, who will play for Team Canada, won the Norris Trophy with the Colorado Avalanche last season.

However, reports suggest that only four of the eight U.S. defensemen on the Olympic roster finished in the top 10 in voting. Werenski came second, Hughes third, Slavin eighth, and Sanderson 10th.

The men's ice hockey begins on February 11, 2026, with the marquee team in action that day being Sweden against Italy. In preliminaries, Team U.S. plays Latvia on February 12, Denmark on February 14, and Germany on February 15.


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