For the first time in his career, Tampa Bay Lightning forward will represent his country at the Olympic Games.
On Friday morning, USA Hockey announced their roster for the upcoming 2026 Olympic Games in Milan, Italy. Among the 25 players chosen to represent Team USA this February was Jake Guentzel.
Up to this point, the only time Guentzel has representing his country was at last season's Four Nations Faceoff, now he gets the opportunity to do it on the grandest stage of international sports.
With the Lightning this season, Guentzel has scored 18 goals and tallied a total of 41 points in his first 40 games. Last season, his first in Tampa Bay, he was able to set a new career-high in goals with 41.
Guentzel will be joined on Team USA by players such as Auston Matthews, Jack Hughes, the Tkachuk brothers, and former Lightning forward J.T. Miller.
The United States' first game will take place on the second day of men's hockey in the Olympics, as they face Latvia on February 12, 2026 at 3:10 PM EST. The last time the Americans were able to bring home the gold at this event was in 1980, with the famous "Miracle on Ice."