Team USA was one of the 12 men’s hockey teams competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics that announced their first six players on Monday.
The players named to Team USA right away aren’t surprises, but one man in particular being left off the list does raise eyebrows, even if he ends up on the full roster anyway.
Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck was left off Team USA’s list of six players. Instead, the team chose Auston Matthews, Matthew Tkachuk, Brady Tkachuk, Jack Eichel, Quinn Hughes and Charlie McAvoy.
There’s no question that the six who were named deserve to go to Milan and represent their nation at the Olympics. However, leaving off this year’s Hart, Vezina and Jennings Trophy winner from their first six players is quite a surprise.
Hellebuyck will almost certainly make the team when the full roster is announced later in the year, but not receiving the symbolic gesture of being named in the initial announcement could send a message to the goaltender.
Based on his regular-season numbers, Hellebuyck should be one of the first players the team picks. He had a 47-12-3 record this season with a 2.00 goals-against average, .925 save percentage and eight shutouts.
But in the post-season, the three-time Vezina winner is not at the same level.
In this year’s playoffs, Hellebuyck played 13 games against the St. Louis Blues and Dallas Stars. Across those 13 appearances, the 32-year-old recorded a 3.08 GAA and a .866 SP. Last year, he went 1-4 with a 5.23 GAA and .870 SP, and in 2022-23, he also went 1-4 with a 3.44 GAA and .886 SP.
Of the 18 goalies who played at least 180 minutes in these playoffs, Hellebuyck ranked 17th in save percentage and 14th in goals-against average.
If Team USA’s staff values playoff performance when setting up the team for February 2026, Hellebuyck could be at risk of not being the starting goaltender.
Dallas netminder Jake Oettinger outplayed Hellebuyck in these playoffs, recording a .905 SP and 2.82 GAA. He was the goalie on the other side of the ice who knocked Hellebuyck and the Jets out of the playoffs.
For what it’s worth, Hellebuyck wasn’t one of the first six players named to the Americans’ 4 Nations Face-Off lineup last year, either. The only difference between that tournament and the Olympics is Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk replaced New York Rangers defenseman Adam Fox among the first six players.
In the 4 Nations Face-Off, Hellebuyck was Team USA’s starter, and he had an impressive 1.59 GAA and .932 SP. He won his first two games and stood tall in net against Team Canada for most of the final before Connor McDavid scored on him in overtime.
It’s also worth noting that the six players who were named to the roster are all products of the USA Hockey National Team Development Program, while Hellebuyck wasn’t.
The beginning of the 2025-26 season will play a factor in how Team USA shapes up, but as of right now, despite being a near-lock to make the team, nothing seems promised regarding Hellebuyck’s spot. A good start next season will likely be all it takes to get starting duties once again.
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