Auston Matthews Leads 2026 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team as Captain
Auston Matthews, currently the captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs, has been appointed as the captain of the 2026 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team. This announcement was made by USA Hockey in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Leadership Team Announced
Joining Matthews in leadership roles are Matthew Tkachuk and Charlie McAvoy, who will serve as alternate captains. Tkachuk plays for the Florida Panthers, while McAvoy is with the Boston Bruins. Bill Guerin, general manager of the Olympic team, expressed confidence in their leadership, citing their successful collaboration during the 4 Nations Face-Off last year.
Previous International Experience
Matthews, Tkachuk, and McAvoy have a strong track record at international competitions. They recently represented the U.S. in several tournaments:
- Second place at the 4 Nations Face-Off (February)
- Gold medal at the 2015 IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championship
- Bronze at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship
Additionally, Matthews contributed to the gold medal victory at the 2014 IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championship and participated in the 2015 and 2016 IIHF Junior and Men’s World Championships respectively.
Olympic Winter Games Schedule
The 2026 Olympic Winter Games will kick off for Team USA on Thursday, February 12, in Milan, Italy. They will face Latvia at the Milano Santaguilia Arena. The game is scheduled for 9:10 p.m. local time, which is 3:10 p.m. ET. Fans can watch the match live on USA Network and stream all hockey events on Peacock.
Historical Context
Notably, Tkachuk’s father, Keith, also contributed to Team USA’s success as an alternate captain during the championship-winning season in the 1996 World Cup of Hockey.
As the team prepares for the upcoming Olympics, there is much anticipation regarding their performance and camaraderie on the ice. Follow Filmogaz.com for updates on the U.S. team during the Olympic Winter Games.
