SafekipediaUnited States men's national ice hockey team
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The United States men's national ice hockey team, also called Team USA, plays for the United States in men's international ice hockey. The team is managed by USA Hockey, the group that oversees ice hockey in the United States. As of May 2025, the team is ranked 1st in the IIHF World Rankings.
Team USA has won gold medals at the Olympics in several years. Their win in 1980, known as the Miracle on Ice, is one of the biggest surprises in sports history. In 2026, the United States won Olympic gold again after beating Canada in the final.
The US is one of the best national ice hockey teams in the world and is part of the "Big Six", along with Canada, the Czech Republic, Finland, Russia, and Sweden. The team has earned many medals in Olympics and World Championships.
History
Early history
The United States first played international ice hockey at the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp. The team won a silver medal, finishing second to Canada. In the years that followed, American teams won more silver medals in 1924, 1932, and 1950, as well as in the 1931 IIHF World Championships. During this time, the US teams were usually made up of amateur or college players.
In 1933, the United States won its first IIHF World Championship title when the Massachusetts Rangers defeated Canada in Prague. The US team, led by coach Walter A. Brown and goalie Gerry Cosby, beat Canada to win the gold medal.
Olympic gold medals
The United States won gold at the 1960 Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley, California, defeating teams like the Soviet Union and Canada. This victory is called the "Forgotten Miracle" because it is often less remembered than the famous 1980 win.
The team’s biggest success was at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York, with the “Miracle on Ice.” American college players beat the experienced Soviet team and went on to win the gold medal by defeating Finland in the final game. This amazing victory became one of the greatest moments in American sports history.
World Cup of Hockey championship and NHL involvement
In the 1980s and 1990s, the United States had many future NHL stars. The team won big at the 1996 World Cup of Hockey, defeating Canada in the final. Goalie Mike Richter played very well, and Brett Hull scored many goals.
The US earned a silver medal at the 2002 Winter Olympics with NHL stars on the team. In 2010, the US reached the gold medal game but lost to Canada, winning the silver medal.
NHL players out
In 2018, the NHL decided not to send players to the Olympics, which made it hard for the US team. Without NHL players, the team did not succeed and did not win any medals.
NHL players return and success
In 2025, the United States won the IIHF World Championship for the first time since 1933, beating Switzerland. In 2026, the team won the Olympic gold medal for the first time since 1980, defeating Canada in the final game. Goalie Connor Hellebuyck was named the top goaltender of the tournament.
Competitive record
Olympic Games
Main article: List of Olympic medalists in ice hockey
Results by "Big Six" opponent
World Championships
Main article: List of IIHF World Championship medalists
Between 1920 and 1968, the Olympic ice hockey tournament was also the World Championship for that year. World War II caused some tournaments to be cancelled from 1940 to 1946. In 1972, a separate tournament was held for the first time for both the World Championships and the Winter Olympics. No World Championships were held during the Olympic years 1980, 1984, and 1988. The 2020 tournament was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The United States men's national ice hockey team has won medals in many World Championships. Some highlights include winning gold in 1933, 1960, and 2025, and earning silver in years like 1920, 1924, 1931, and 1932. They have also won bronze medals in years such as 1936, 1949, 1962, 1996, 2004, 2013, 2015, 2018, and 2021.
Canada Cup / World Cup of Hockey
Main articles: Canada Cup § Competitions, and World Cup of Hockey § Tournaments
Results by "Big Six" opponent
Four Nations Face-Off
Silver
Bronze
| Opponents | Played | Won | Tied | Lost | Biggest victory | Biggest defeat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Canada | 20 | 5 | 3 | 12 | 4–1 | 3–12 |
 Czechoslovakia/ Czech Republic | 21 | 10 | 0 | 11 | 16–0 | 1–7 |
 Finland | 13 | 7 | 2 | 4 | 8–2, 6–0 | 1–6, 0–5 |
 Soviet Union/ CIS/ Russia | 14 | 4 | 1 | 9 | 4–3, 3–2 (x3) | 2–10 |
 Sweden | 16 | 7 | 2 | 7 | 20–0 | 1–5 |
| Total | 83 | 32 | 8 | 43 | 20–0 | 3–12 |
| Games | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | Coach | Captain | Round | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 14 | 21 | Bob Pulford | Bill Nyrop | Group stage | 5th |
| 1981 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 18 | 23 | Bob Johnson | Robbie Ftorek | Semi-finals | 4th |
| 1984 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 23 | 22 | Bob Johnson | Rod Langway | Semi-finals | 4th |
| 1987 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 13 | 14 | Bob Johnson | Rod Langway | Group stage | 5th |
| 1991 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 29 | 26 | Bob Johnson | Joel Otto | Finals | 2nd |
| 1996 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 37 | 18 | Ron Wilson | Brian Leetch | Finals |  Gold |
| 2004 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 11 | 11 | Ron Wilson | Chris Chelios | Semi-finals | 4th |
| 2016 | 3 | 0 | 3 | — | 5 | 11 | John Tortorella | Joe Pavelski | Group stage | 7th |
| 2028 | Future event | |||||||||
| Opponents | Played | Won | Tied | Lost | Biggest victory | Biggest defeat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | 14 | 3 | 1 | 10 | 5–2 (x2) | 3–8 |
| Czechoslovakia/ Czech Republic | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 6–2 | 1–3 |
| Finland | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 7–3 | 1–2 |
| Soviet Union/ CIS/ Russia | 9 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 5–2 (x2) | 0–5 |
| Sweden | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 7–1 | 2–9 |
| Total | 41 | 18 | 3 | 20 | 7–1 | 2–9 |
| Games | GP | W | L | GF | GA | Coach | Captain | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 12 | 7 | Mike Sullivan | Auston Matthews | 2nd |
Team
Main article: List of United States national ice hockey team rosters
The United States men's national ice hockey team, called Team USA, plays for the United States in international ice hockey. The team is managed by USA Hockey, the group that oversees ice hockey in the United States. As of May 2025, the team is ranked first in the world for ice hockey.
Current roster
This is the roster for the 2026 IIHF World Championship.
Head coach: Don Granato
2026 Olympics roster
The first six players for the United States' team were announced on June 16, 2025. The rest of the team was revealed on January 2, 2026. On January 21, defenseman Seth Jones could not play because of an injury and was replaced by Jackson LaCombe. On February 8, Auston Matthews was named the team's captain, with Charlie McAvoy and Matthew Tkachuk as alternate captains.
Head coach: Mike Sullivan
IIHF World Championship directorate awards
Main article: List of IIHF World Championship directorate award winners
Each year at the IIHF World Championship, special awards are given to the best goalie, defenseman, and forward, as well as the most valuable player. Some players from the United States have won these awards.
- 1955 – Don Rigazio (goalie)
- 1956 – Willard Ikola (goalie)
- 1959 – Bill Cleary (forward)
- 1960 – Jack McCartan (goalie)
- 1962 – John Mayasich (defenseman)
- 1967 – Carl Wetzel (goalie)
- 2004 – Ty Conklin (goalie)
- 2014 – Seth Jones (defenseman)
- 2018 – Patrick Kane (MVP)
- 2021 – Cal Petersen (goalie)
- 2025 – Zach Werenski (defenseman)
| No. | Pos. | Name | Height | Weight | Birthdate | Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | G | Devin Cooley | 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) | 87 kg (192 lb) | (1997-08-25) 25 August 1997 | Calgary Flames |
| 7 | D | Ryan Ufko | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) | 82 kg (181 lb) | (2003-05-07) 7 May 2003 |  Milwaukee Admirals |
| 9 | F | Ryan Leonard | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) | 93 kg (205 lb) | (2005-01-21) 21 January 2005 | Washington Capitals |
| 10 | F | James Hagens | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) | 80 kg (180 lb) | (2006-11-03) 3 November 2006 | Boston Bruins |
| 11 | F | Oliver Moore | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) | 85 kg (187 lb) | (2005-01-22) 22 January 2005 | Chicago Blackhawks |
| 15 | F | Tommy Novak | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) | 81 kg (179 lb) | (1997-04-28) 28 April 1997 | Pittsburgh Penguins |
| 16 | D | Mason Lohrei | 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) | 100 kg (220 lb) | (2001-01-17) 17 January 2001 | Boston Bruins |
| 17 | D | Will Borgen | 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) | 90 kg (200 lb) | (1996-12-19) 19 December 1996 | New York Rangers |
| 18 | F | Sam Lafferty | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) | 93 kg (205 lb) | (1995-03-06) 6 March 1995 | Chicago Blackhawks |
| 21 | F | Alex Steeves | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) | 90 kg (200 lb) | (1999-12-10) 10 December 1999 | Boston Bruins |
| 22 | F | Isaac Howard | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) | 82 kg (181 lb) | (2004-03-30) 30 March 2004 | Bakersfield Condors |
| 24 | F | Mathieu Olivier – A | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) | 105 kg (231 lb) | (1997-02-11) 11 February 1997 | Columbus Blue Jackets |
| 26 | F | Max Plante | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) | 82 kg (181 lb) | (2006-02-20) 20 February 2006 | Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs |
| 27 | F | Matt Coronato | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) | 83 kg (183 lb) | (2002-11-14) 14 November 2002 | Calgary Flames |
| 33 | G | Drew Commesso | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) | 82 kg (181 lb) | (2002-07-19) 19 July 2002 | Rockford IceHogs |
| 44 | D | Wyatt Kaiser | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) | 86 kg (190 lb) | (2002-07-31) 31 July 2002 | Chicago Blackhawks |
| 47 | F | Paul Cotter | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) | 97 kg (214 lb) | (1999-11-16) 16 November 1999 | New Jersey Devils |
| 55 | D | Ryan Lindgren – A | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) | 88 kg (194 lb) | (1998-02-11) 11 February 1998 | Seattle Kraken |
| 60 | G | Joseph Woll | 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) | 96 kg (212 lb) | (1998-07-12) 12 July 1998 | Toronto Maple Leafs |
| 63 | F | Max Sasson | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) | 82 kg (181 lb) | (2000-09-05) 5 September 2000 | Vancouver Canucks |
| 67 | D | Declan Carlile | 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) | 86 kg (190 lb) | (2000-05-18) 18 May 2000 | Tampa Bay Lightning |
| 72 | D | Justin Faulk – C | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) | 98 kg (216 lb) | (1992-03-20) 20 March 1992 | Detroit Red Wings |
| 75 | D | Connor Clifton | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) | 89 kg (196 lb) | (1995-04-28) 28 April 1995 | Pittsburgh Penguins |
| 82 | F | Danny Nelson | 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) | 100 kg (220 lb) | (2005-08-03) 3 August 2005 | Notre Dame Fighting Irish |
| No. | Pos. | Name | Height | Weight | Birthdate | Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | G | Jeremy Swayman | 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) | 88 kg (194 lb) | (1998-11-24)24 November 1998 (aged 27) | Boston Bruins |
| 2 | D | Jackson LaCombe | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) | 93 kg (205 lb) | (2001-01-09)9 January 2001 (aged 25) | Anaheim Ducks |
| 7 | F | Brady Tkachuk | 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) | 102 kg (225 lb) | (1999-09-16)16 September 1999 (aged 26) | Ottawa Senators |
| 8 | D | Zach Werenski | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) | 98 kg (216 lb) | (1997-07-19)19 July 1997 (aged 28) | Columbus Blue Jackets |
| 9 | F | Jack Eichel | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) | 94 kg (207 lb) | (1996-10-28)28 October 1996 (aged 29) | Vegas Golden Knights |
| 10 | F | J. T. Miller | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) | 95 kg (209 lb) | (1993-03-14)14 March 1993 (aged 32) | New York Rangers |
| 12 | F | Matt Boldy | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) | 91 kg (201 lb) | (2001-04-05)5 April 2001 (aged 24) | Minnesota Wild |
| 14 | D | Brock Faber | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) | 91 kg (201 lb) | (2002-08-22)22 August 2002 (aged 23) | Minnesota Wild |
| 15 | D | Noah Hanifin | 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) | 93 kg (205 lb) | (1997-01-25)25 January 1997 (aged 29) | Vegas Golden Knights |
| 16 | F | Vincent Trocheck | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) | 85 kg (187 lb) | (1993-07-11)11 July 1993 (aged 32) | New York Rangers |
| 19 | F | Matthew Tkachuk – A | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) | 91 kg (201 lb) | (1997-12-11)11 December 1997 (aged 28) | Florida Panthers |
| 21 | F | Dylan Larkin | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) | 93 kg (205 lb) | (1996-07-30)30 July 1996 (aged 29) | Detroit Red Wings |
| 25 | D | Charlie McAvoy – A | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) | 95 kg (209 lb) | (1997-12-21)21 December 1997 (aged 28) | Boston Bruins |
| 29 | F | Brock Nelson | 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) | 93 kg (205 lb) | (1991-10-15)15 October 1991 (aged 34) | Colorado Avalanche |
| 30 | G | Jake Oettinger | 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) | 102 kg (225 lb) | (1998-12-18)18 December 1998 (aged 27) | Dallas Stars |
| 34 | F | Auston Matthews – C | 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) | 98 kg (216 lb) | (1997-09-17)17 September 1997 (aged 28) | Toronto Maple Leafs |
| 37 | G | Connor Hellebuyck | 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) | 94 kg (207 lb) | (1993-05-19)19 May 1993 (aged 32) | Winnipeg Jets |
| 43 | D | Quinn Hughes | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) | 82 kg (181 lb) | (1999-10-14)14 October 1999 (aged 26) | Minnesota Wild |
| 59 | F | Jake Guentzel | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) | 82 kg (181 lb) | (1994-10-06)6 October 1994 (aged 31) | Tampa Bay Lightning |
| 72 | F | Tage Thompson | 1.98 m (6 ft 6 in) | 100 kg (220 lb) | (1997-10-30)30 October 1997 (aged 28) | Buffalo Sabres |
| 74 | D | Jaccob Slavin | 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) | 94 kg (207 lb) | (1994-05-01)1 May 1994 (aged 31) | Carolina Hurricanes |
| 81 | F | Kyle Connor | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) | 83 kg (183 lb) | (1996-12-09)9 December 1996 (aged 29) | Winnipeg Jets |
| 85 | D | Jake Sanderson | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) | 92 kg (203 lb) | (2002-07-08)8 July 2002 (aged 23) | Ottawa Senators |
| 86 | F | Jack Hughes | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) | 80 kg (176 lb) | (2001-05-14)14 May 2001 (aged 24) | New Jersey Devils |
| 91 | F | Clayton Keller | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) | 79 kg (174 lb) | (1998-07-29)29 July 1998 (aged 27) | Utah Mammoth |
Uniform evolution
The United States men's national ice hockey team, also called Team USA, has worn many different uniforms. These uniforms have changed for big events like the Olympics and other international tournaments.
Images
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