On November 26, 2025, USA Hockey unveiled its highly anticipated Olympic and Paralympic jerseys for the 2026 Winter Games in Milan-Cortina, and fans are already buzzing with excitement. The reveal, broadcast to a national audience by two-time sled hockey Paralympic champion Jack Wallace on NBC's Today show, marks a significant milestone on the road to next February's tournament. With the return of NHL players for the first time since the 2014 Sochi Games and a roster brimming with talent, Team USA is setting its sights on a golden legacy—both in style and on the ice.
The new jerseys are more than just a fresh coat of paint. They pay homage to a pivotal moment in American hockey history: the 1960 U.S. Olympic men's hockey team, which captured the country’s first-ever gold medal in Squaw Valley, California. The 2026 design channels that iconic look with bold, diagonal "USA" lettering across the chest, reminiscent of the classic Squaw Valley threads. Available in crisp white and royal blue, the uniforms are the handiwork of Nike, incorporating the latest Nike Swift technology for reduced fabric weight and improved aerodynamics—a far cry from the woolen sweaters worn by the 1920 squad in Antwerp.
Inside the collar, a subtle but stirring detail awaits: the words "Land of the free, home of the brave." This patriotic touch, a throwback to the 2014 Sochi jerseys, resonates with the team's mission and the nation’s spirit. Near the shoulder sits a gold-accented USA Hockey crest, a nod to Team USA’s broader success on the world stage, especially in recent IIHF world championships and world juniors tournaments. The neckline also sports a silicone triangle—a Nike visual flourish that, while not functional, adds a modern edge to the retro-inspired look.
“Three letters, three colours, one goal,” as Olympics.com put it, sums up the team’s ambitions: to bring home gold at the upcoming Milano Cortina Games. The unveiling has reignited conversations about the evolution of USA Hockey’s visual identity, tracing a rich tradition from the understated crests of the Lake Placid 1932 squad to the bold statements of the Oslo 1952 and Cortina d’Ampezzo 1956 teams. The diagonal wordmark first appeared in the mid-1950s, setting the stage for the Squaw Valley 1960 look that now inspires the 2026 edition.
Jersey history buffs will recall that the diagonal "USA" became a hallmark of American hockey, reappearing in modern form at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics. That year, the U.S. men’s team stunned Canada 5-3 in group play—the first American Olympic win over their rivals since 1960. The sense of déjà vu is strong: the NHL is back, the jerseys echo a golden era, and anticipation is sky-high for another USA-Canada showdown in Italy. “Perhaps it’s coincidental, but the last time a U.S. men’s team defeated Canada in a ‘best-on-best’ Olympic tournament, the players were also wearing jerseys inspired by the 1960 gold medal team,” ESPN noted.
Of course, the path to Milan-Cortina isn’t just about style. It’s about substance—and this year’s roster is shaping up to be one of the deepest in recent memory. Six players have already been named to the preliminary U.S. men’s roster, including stars like Jack Eichel, Auston Matthews, and Brady Tkachuk. The return of NHL talent, absent from the last two Olympics, adds a fresh layer of intrigue to the competition. According to USA TODAY Sports, “This team is deep down the middle and has scoring throughout the lineup. The Tkachuks are gritty and can drive offense.”
Yet, as with any Olympic campaign, the journey is not without its bumps. Injuries have played a significant role in shaping the preliminary roster. Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes missed five games but is back in action. Toronto Maple Leafs’ Auston Matthews is due back soon from a lower body injury, while Brady Tkachuk is recovering from thumb surgery. Charlie McAvoy underwent surgery after taking a puck to the face, and Matthew Tkachuk is rehabbing from offseason hernia surgery. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck had knee surgery and is expected to return in four to six weeks, while Jack Hughes of the New Jersey Devils is recovering from finger surgery but should be ready before the Olympics. The final roster deadline looms on December 31, 2025, leaving just enough time for these stars to heal up and make their case.
The projected lineup is a who’s who of American hockey talent. Forwards like Jack Eichel, Auston Matthews, Brady and Matthew Tkachuk, Matt Boldy, Cole Caufield, and Kyle Connor are expected to bring both firepower and finesse. Jason Robertson, on a seven-game goal streak and leading U.S.-born players with 14 goals and 31 points, is in fine form. Clayton Keller, who racked up 90 points last season and captained the U.S. at the world championships, is another name to watch. On defense, the likes of Quinn Hughes, Charlie McAvoy, Brock Faber, Adam Fox, and Seth Jones anchor a mobile, skilled blue line. In net, Connor Hellebuyck, Jake Oettinger, and Jeremy Swayman form a formidable goaltending trio—one of the best in the tournament, according to analysts.
But the competition won’t be easy. The Olympic men’s hockey tournament is expected to be fiercely contested, with Canada, Sweden, Finland, and the Czech Republic all fielding strong squads bolstered by returning NHL stars. The rapid rise of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) has also raised the bar for the women’s program, promising a tournament full of surprises and high-level play across the board.
Looking back at the history of Team USA’s hockey uniforms, it’s clear that each era has brought its own flavor and innovations. The 1980 "Miracle on Ice" team, with their white jerseys, bold blue shoulders, and star-spangled pants, became the gold standard for American hockey aesthetics. Later designs, like the stylized “Waving S” crest of the Calgary 1988 era, the blocky wordmarks of Vancouver 2010, and the sleek, geometric patterns of PyeongChang 2018 and Beijing 2022, all contributed to a rich tapestry of visual identity. The most recent 2025 Four Nations Face Off jersey, with its minimalist horizontal “USA” and restrained striping, kept the tradition alive while nodding to modern sensibilities.
So, with Milan-Cortina 2026 on the horizon, Team USA is poised to make a statement—both on the scoreboard and in the style stakes. The blend of historical reverence and technological innovation in the new jerseys encapsulates the team’s mission: to honor the past, embrace the present, and chase a future draped in gold. As the final roster shapes up and the countdown to February’s puck drop continues, all eyes will be on the red, white, and blue as they skate for glory in Italy. The stage is set, the jerseys are ready, and the dream of Olympic gold burns as brightly as ever.
