The U.S. Olympic men’s hockey roster is out and it’s mostly a reprise of the 4 Nations Face-Off team, with a few adjustments.
And when someone new is added, someone has to fall out. One of those was New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox.
The former Norris Trophy winner didn’t make the cut after Team USA added Stanley Cup-winning defenseman Seth Jones from the Florida Panthers.
“I thought my play this year was worthy of it and my track record as well, but it’s out of my hands at a certain point,’ Fox told reporters, according to The Athletic.
Here are the winners and losers from the USA’s announcement of its men’s hockey Olympic roster:
WINNERS
Seth Jones
Jones, then 19, had generated a little buzz in the 2014 selection process but didn’t make that team. He didn’t make the 4 Nations Face-Off, either, because he was with the struggling Blackhawks at the time. But a trade to the Panthers changed everything. He won a Stanley Cup in June and that led to the Olympic roster spot.’
‘You saw the impact that he had on the Florida team to win the Stanley Cup,’ USA coach Mike Sullivan said. ‘He’s a big, strong kid that skates extremely well. I think he has the ability to play on both sides of the puck and impact the game on both sides of the puck.’
Clayton Keller and Tage Thompson
Keller was the big snub for the 4 Nations, and he ended up finishing last season with 90 points. Thompson was ready to be an injury replacement at that tournament and wasn’t needed. But both players went to the world championships and helped the USA win a rare gold there. Keller was captain of that team and Thompson scored the winning goal. They made the Olympic team as a result.
‘He’s 6-6 and can skate like the wind,’ Team USA general manager Bill Guerin said of Thompson. ‘He’s got an incredible shot, scoring ability. But he’s got versatility as well. He can play center. He can play wing. He can kill penalties. Obviously, he’s on the power play.’
The Hughes brothers
Quinn Hughes’ injury before the 4 Nations deprived the USA of its best defenseman for that tournament. It also deprived Jack Hughes of a chance to play alongside his brother. Both brothers had suffered injuries this season but are healthy and get to be on the big stage together. Luke Hughes, Jack’s Devils teammate, didn’t make the 2026 team, so an international tournament with three Hughes brothers will have to wait until the 2028 World Cup.
Familiarity on the team
By bringing back most of the players from the 4 Nations, the USA has built-in chemistry. That’s important in a short tournament. The USA lost to Canada in the 4 Nations final but were without Quinn Hughes and Charlie McAvoy and didn’t have injured Matthew Tkachuk for the third period and overtime. Having a full healthy team could make a difference this time.
LOSERS
How healthy is this team?
The USA has had its share of injuries, even a fluke one. All of the first six players named to the U.S. team have been out at some point this season. Tkachuk is still working his way back from offseason hernia surgery. McAvoy missed time with a broken jaw. Jack Eichel returned on Friday. Auston Matthews has been out twice. But he answered questions about his health with a hat trick on Jan. 1. Among the other players named Friday, Jaccob Slavin has been limited to five games by injuries and J.T. Miller is out at the moment. But more than a month remains before the tournament.
Adam Fox
Fox’s exclusion generated a lot of headlines. His Rangers coach, Sullivan, is also the U.S. Olympic coach.
‘Adam and I have had a number of conversations around this and I will keep those conversations between Adam and I,’ Sullivan told reporters, noting that choosing the team was a ‘collaborative effort’ and there were difficult decisions to make.
Fox is an elite defenseman, though he struggled last season (along with the team) and he was on the ice during Connor McDavid’s overtime goal at the 4 Nations. Guerin said any perception that the play affected management’s decision was just perception.
‘If you think we made a decision on one play, then you must not think we’re very smart,’ Guerin said.
Fox just returned from an injury, scoring a goal, and will play in the Winter Classic. But the timing of Friday’s announcement puts some of the focus not him making the Olympic team.
Jason Robertson
The Stars forward got off to a slow start last season and didn’t make the 4 Nations. That’s not the case this season. He leads U.S. players with 48 points and his 24 goals trail only Matt Boldy. But he missed the cut.
Cole Caufield
The Canadiens forward is also off to a strong start and also didn’t make the team. His linemate, Nick Suzuki, made Team Canada’s roster.
