The U.S. men’s hockey team has officially named Auston Matthews as its captain for the upcoming Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. The announcement was made on Sunday, marking an important leadership role for Matthews, who previously captained the team during the 4 Nations Face-Off in February 2025, where they narrowly lost to Canada in an overtime match.
Joining Matthews in leadership positions are alternate captains Charlie McAvoy and Matthew Tkachuk. U.S. general manager Bill Guerin praised the trio’s previous performance, stating, “Auston, Charlie and Matthew did a great job in leading our team a year ago at Four Nations, and it’s great to have them back in those roles for the Olympics.” Guerin highlighted the unique leadership qualities each player brings, expressing excitement for their representation of Team USA.
Matthews, at 28 years old, has had an impressive season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, accumulating 48 points in 51 games—comprising 26 goals and 22 assists. A former No. 1 overall draft pick, he is also a recipient of the 2021-22 Hart Memorial Trophy for league MVP and has led the league in scoring three times. This will be Matthews’ first Olympic appearance, as NHL players return to the men’s hockey tournament for the first time since 2014.
McAvoy, also 28, has contributed significantly to the Boston Bruins this season, with four goals and 35 assists in 45 games. Tkachuk, who has recently recovered from offseason hernia surgery, has played in 10 games for the Florida Panthers leading up to the Olympics.
As the women’s hockey competition unfolds in Milan, the men’s tournament is set to commence on Wednesday, with Team USA facing Latvia in their first match on Thursday. Most NHL players arrived in Italy early Sunday morning, and Team USA held its first practice later that day, gearing up for the challenges ahead.
The anticipation surrounding this Olympic tournament is palpable, as fans look forward to seeing how these talented players will perform on the international stage. With Matthews at the helm, the U.S. team hopes to make a significant impact in Milan Cortina.
