5 biggest surprises from Team USA's hockey Olympics orientation roster

NHL: 4 Nations Face Off-USA vs Finland - Source: Imagn
5 biggest surprises from Team USA's hockey Olympics orientation roster - Source: Imagn

NHL players will be back in the Olympics in 2026, with the Games set to take place in Milan, Italy. The Olympic break will run from Feb. 5-24.

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Ahead of the Olympics, Team USA announced its summer training camp roster, and there were some surprise additions and omissions.

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Here are the five biggest surprises from the 44-man roster.

5 biggest surprises from Team USA's Olympics orientation roster

#1, Joey Daccord over Thatcher Demko

Team USA likely has its three-goalie set of Connor Hellebuyck, Jake Oettinger and Jeremy Swayman, but the fourth invite raised eyebrows.

Thatcher Demko, considered in the running, was left off in favor of the lesser-known Joey Daccord.

Daccord will have to beat out Swayman for the third spot, but just receiving an invitation was a big surprise.

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#2, Lane Huston not included

Lane Hutson wasn't invited - Source: Imagn
Lane Hutson wasn't invited - Source: Imagn

Lane Hutson, who just won the Calder Trophy as Rookie of the Year and is already among the NHL’s most dynamic offensive defensemen, was left off the roster.

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Though Hutson likely wouldn’t have made the final team given the depth on defense, his omission was still a surprise. The experience would have been valuable for Hutson and given Team USA a look at his upside.

#3, Frank Nazar gets invited

Frank Nazar is not a household name, making his invitation stand out. Drafted 13th overall in 2022, Nazar has played only 56 NHL games. Last season, he appeared in 53, tallying 12 goals and 14 assists for 26 points, which are not overwhelming numbers for a camp invite.

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At age 21, the Blackhawks forward may be a bit early in his development, making his inclusion one of the bigger surprises.

#4, Alex DeBrincat is a notable omission

One of the most notable omissions is Detroit Red Wings star forward Alex DeBrincat.

While he would have been a long shot to make the roster, DeBrincat seemed deserving of a camp invite over others. He scored 39 goals last season, and not bringing him to camp was a head-turner.

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#5, Jackson LaCombe gets invited

Jackson LaCombe was the surprise name on defense.

The Anaheim Ducks defenseman played in 74 games last season, recording 14 goals and 29 assists for 43 points. Given the Ducks’ struggles, some fans may not have noticed his play, making his selection over Hutson and others a surprise.

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Edited by Cole Shelton
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