The 2026 U.S. Olympic men’s hockey team captured the first gold medal for the United States since 1980. The roster was full of former college hockey players, with 19 of the 25 coming from NCAA DI hockey, including standouts such as Quinn Hughes, Connor Hellebuyck and Jack Eichel.
Here’s the full 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 now take a look at some of these former college stars.
Jack Eichel — Boston University
Jack Eichel spent one historic season at Boston University in 2014-15, posting 71 points in 40 games while leading the Terriers to a Hockey Easy title. His dominant freshman campaign earned him the Hobey Baker Award, making him just the second freshman to win college hockey’s top honor.
Drafted second overall by the Buffalo Sabres in 2015, Eichel scored 56 points, including a team-high 24 goals, in 81 games during his rookie season.
After six seasons with the Sabres, Eichel was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights, helping lead the franchise to its first Stanley Cup in 2023. He continues to rank among the NHL’s elite producers heading into the 2026 Olympics.
WATCH: Jack Eichel college hockey tournament highlights at BU
Quinn Hughes — Michigan
Orlando, Fla. native Quinn Hughes played two seasons at Michigan from 2017-19 before being selected seventh overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2018 NHL Draft.
During his sophomore season with the Wolverines, Hughes totaled 33 points in 31 games, leading all Big Ten defensemen in both points and assists. He went on to win the 2024 Norris Trophy, awarded to the NHL’s top defenseman, after posting career highs with 92 points (17 goals, 75 assists) in 82 games. Hughes will make his Team USA Olympic debut in 2026.
ICONIC DUOS: The best defensive pair in the country may be Michigan’s Hughes and Cecconi
Matt Boldy — Boston College
Matt Boldy starred at Boston College from 2019-21, making an immediate impact as a freshman forward with 26 points and earning Hockey Easy All-Rookie team honors.
As a Sophomore, he was named a Hockey Easy First Team All-Star and finished as a top-10 finalist for the Hobey Baker award after ranking third nationally in points per game.
Selected No. 12 overall by the Minnesota Wild in the 2019 NHL Draft, Boldy developed through the AHL before breaking out in the NHL. He currently leads all Americans in goals this season and will make his Team USA Olympic debut.
Kyle Connor — Michigan
Before becoming a mainstay with the Winnipeg Jets, Kyle Connor played one season at Michigan, where he was named Big Ten Player of the Year after recording 71 points in 38 games. He finished second in 2016 Hobey Baker voting, set Michigan’s record for most goals by a freshman and posted the second-most points by a first-year player in program history.
Following his standout freshman year, Connor was selected in the first round of the 2015 NHL Draft. He has since developed into one of the league’s most consistent scorers, earning the Lady Byng Trophy in 2022 while setting career highs in goals, assists and points.
MORE: These college hockey programs have produced the most members of the US Men’s Olympic Team
