The 2026 United States Olympic men’s hockey team won its first gold medal since 1980. The roster was stacked with former college hockey players, with 19 of the 25 hailing from NCAA DI hockey, including stars like Quinn Hughes, Connor Hellebuyck, and Jack Eichel.
Here is the complete list of former college hockey players on the 2026 U.S. Olympic men’s hockey team.
| Player | Position | School |
|---|---|---|
| Matt Boldy | F | Boston College |
| Kyle Connor | F | Michigan |
| Jack Eichel | F | Boston University |
| Brock Faber | D | Minnesota |
| Jake Guentzel | F | Omaha |
| Noah Hanifin | D | Boston College |
| Connor Hellebuyck | G | UMass Lowell |
| Quinn Hughes | D | Michigan |
| Clayton Keller | F | Boston University |
| Dylan Larkin | F | Michigan |
| Charlie McAvoy | D | Boston University |
| Brock Nelson | F | North Dakota |
| Jake Oettinger | G | Boston University |
| Jake Sanderson | D | North Dakota |
| Jaccob Slavin | D | Colorado College |
| Jeremy Swayman | G | Maine |
| Tage Thompson | F | UConn |
| Brady Tkachuk | F | Boston University |
| Zach Werenski | D | Michigan |
Let’s take a look at a few of these former college stars.
Jack Eichel—Boston University
Jack Eichel had a historic season at Boston University in 2014-15, scoring 71 points in 40 games and guiding the Terriers to the Hockey Easy championship. His outstanding freshman season earned him the Hobey Baker Award, making him only the second freshman to receive collegiate hockey’s top prize.
Eichel was drafted second overall by the Buffalo Sabres in 2015 and recorded 56 points, including a team-high 24 goals, in 81 games as a rookie.
After six seasons with the Sabres, Eichel was transferred to the Vegas Golden Knights, where he helped the organization win its first Stanley Cup in 2023. As the 2026 Olympics approach, he remains one of the NHL’s top producers.
Quinn Hughes—Michigan
Quinn Hughes, a native of Orlando, Fla., spent two seasons at Michigan from 2017 to 2019, before being taken seventh overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2018 NHL Draft.
Hughes had 33 points in 31 games as a sophomore for the Wolverines, topping all Big Ten defensemen in points and assists. He went on to win the 2024 Norris Trophy, which is awarded to the NHL’s top defenseman, after scoring 92 points (17 goals, 75 assists) in 82 games. Hughes will make his Olympic debut with Team USA in 2026.
Matt Boldy — Boston College
Matt Boldy played for Boston College from 2019 to 21 and made an immediate impact as a freshman forward, scoring 26 points and receiving Hockey Easy All-Rookie accolades.
As a sophomore, he was selected a Hockey Easy First Team All-Star and finished as a top-10 finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, finishing third nationally in points per game.
Boldy was drafted No. 12 overall by the Minnesota Wild in the 2019 NHL Draft and rose through the ranks of the American Hockey League before making his NHL debut. He presently leads all Americans in goals this season and will be making his Olympic debut with Team USA.
Kyle Connor—Michigan
Kyle Connor spent one season at Michigan, when he was named the Big Ten Player of the Year after scoring 71 points in 38 games. He placed second in the 2016 Hobey Baker voting, set Michigan’s freshman record for goals, and scored the second-most points by a first-year player in program history.
Following his outstanding freshman season, Connor was taken in the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft. He has subsequently become as one of the league’s most consistent scorers, winning the Lady Byng Trophy in 2022 and reaching career highs in goals, assists, and points.
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