Final Roster Announced for 2026 U.S. National Junior Team
The final roster for the 2026 U.S. National Junior Team has been officially announced, highlighting a strong lineup of talented players. This team is predominantly composed of athletes from various prestigious hockey schools and represents a wide geographic area across the United States.
Key Roster Highlights
- 14 forwards, 8 defensemen, and 3 goaltenders form the team.
- The majority, 22 out of 25 players, have NHL draft experience.
- Of those drafted, six are first-round picks and seven are second-round selections.
- Three players are eligible for the 2026 NHL Draft.
Player Backgrounds
A significant portion of the roster consists of players with experience in the United States Hockey League (USHL). In fact, 24 players have competed in this league. Additionally, 19 players are alumni of USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program.
Currently, 21 players are engaged in college hockey. The representation includes nine different colleges, led by:
- University of Michigan: 4 players
- Boston University: 3 players
Geographic Representation
The roster showcases a diverse array of talent from across the U.S., including:
- 7 players from Minnesota
- 7 players from Illinois
- 4 players from Michigan
- 2 players from Massachusetts
- 1 player each from California, Missouri, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania
Broadcast Information
Hockey fans in the U.S. can catch all the action of the IIHF World Junior Championship. NHL Network will broadcast every Team USA game along with critical quarterfinal, semifinal, and medal matches. The commentary will be provided by E.J. Hradek, Tony Granato, and Jon Morosi.
This roster emphasizes the continued growth and development of hockey talent in the United States, setting the stage for a competitive showing in the upcoming World Junior Championship.
