USA will enter the 2026 Olympics in Milano Cortina as the reigning World Champions, although USA has not won gold at the Olympics since 2014. The last two gold medals have gone to Canada.

Still, USA will be the early favorites, and for good reason given the depth of talent, and the balance between young skill and veteran experience their roster will involve. 

Frankel And Philips Form A Nearly Unbeatable Tandem

Aerin Frankel and Gwyneth Philips will form a nearly unbeatable tandem in net for USA. Given Philips' recent success earning the Ilana Kloss Playoff MVP award, being recognized as a finalist for the PWHL's Goaltender of the Year and Rookie of the Year honors, and stepping in to secure gold for USA after Frankel went down in the gold medal game in 2025, makes it far from a sure-thing that USA will ride Frankel through 2026. The two were a tandem at Northeastern, and give USA their best one-two punch in net not only in recent memory, but perhaps in program history. Even the prospect of putting in NCAA netminder Ava McNaughton would give USA solid netminder. While USA will likely monitor Maddie Rooney and Annelies Bergmann, don't expect the program to stray from their current group unless an injury mandates a move.

The Picks: Gwyneth Philips, Aerin Frankel, Ava McNaughton

Defence Remains A Strength

Don't expect a lot of turnover in USA's blueline group from the 2025 World Championships. Megan Keller, Caroline Harvey, Lee Stecklein, Haley Winn, and Cayla Barnes remain the core. USA looks like they remain intent on deploying Laila Edwards on the blueline despite her prowess as one of the best goal scorers in the game up front. Savannah Harmon remains a quality option for USA, although there was a noticeable shift away from the long time national team stalwart this season, and her play in the PWHL didn't force the issue. If USA wants more depth, they could bring back Rory Guilday if she shows well early in the PWHL while moving Edwards back up front to add to their scoring. Anna Wilgren will be another name to watch as she again takes on a larger role with Seattle. Kali Flanagan belongs, but USA Hockey has ignored her in recent years. Emma Peschel is a player to watch. If there's an omission that would not be surprising to see, it would be Harmon who was passed on Toronto's depth chart this season by Kali Flanagan when it mattered most. Swapping those two would make a lot of sense.

The Picks: Caroline Harvey, Megan Keller, Lee Stecklein, Haley Winn, Cayla Barnes, Savannah Harmon, Rory Guilday.

Abundance Of Options Up Front

Hilary Knight has already announced this will be her final Olympics. The USA Hockey legend will remain a focal point of her nation's attack through the tournament alongside a talented mix of NCAA and PWHL standouts. She'll undoubtedly be joined up front by Alex Carpenter, Kendall Coyne Schofield,  Abbey Murphy, and Tessa Janecke. Laila Edwards is the wildcard, which we've chosen to move back up front here as it's her natural position where she's made a larger impact on every team she's played for. Kelly Pannek's 2025 Worlds performance likely saved her spot for another season and as a two way veteran she's still a big league gamer. Expect Britta Curl-Salemme to be called on again as well as young players Joy Dunne and Lacey Eden. 

This is where the "sure things" stop. With Edwards it's 10 players, without her it's three even lines. Grace Zumwinkle should regain a spot if she can bounce back in the PWHL after an injury marred season. USA didn't utilize Kirsten Simms as much as in the past in 2025, but her sublime skill also moves the needle. If there were to be an addition from their past roster, it should be Casey O'Brien. If O'Brien comes out of the gate hot in the PWHL, it would be shocking to see her omitted again from Team USA, especially when the biggest stakes are on the line. These final decisions however, will also take into consideration the play of Jesse Compher, who was one of the PWHL's breakout players this year, and Hayley Scamurra, who had a down year.

The Picks: Hilary Knight, Laila Edwards, Kendall Coyne Schofield, Alex Carpenter, Taylor Heise, Tessa Janecke, Abbey Murphy, Joy Dunne, Kelly Pannek, Britta Curl-Salemme, Lacey Eden, Kirsten Simms, Casey O'Brien, Jesse Compher.

Potential Lineup

Kendall Coyne Schofield - Taylor Heise - Laila Edwards
Tessa Janecke - Alex Carpenter - Hilary Knight
Brritta Curl-Salemme - Kelly Pannek - Abbey Murphy
Joy Dunne - Casey O'Brien - Lacey Eden
Kirsten Simms - Jesse Compher

Megan Keller - Haley Winn
Caroline Harvey - Cayla Barnes
Lee Stecklein - Rory Guilday
Savannah Harmon

Aerin Frankel - Gwyneth Philips - Ava McNaughton