Rangers stars J.T. Miller, Vincent Trocheck named to U.S. Olympic team
From childhood friends, to New York Rangers teammates, to representing the United States together at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics. It’s a pretty cool hockey journey for J.T. Miller and Vincent Trocheck.
The latest chapter became official Friday morning, when Team USA revealed its roster for the upcoming Winter Games in February. Miller and Trocheck are among 14 players on the 25-man roster. Each played for the United States a year ago at the 4 Nations Face-Off, when they lost the championship game to Canada in overtime.
This is the first time NHL players will participate in the Winter Games since the 2014 Sochi Olympics. So, this is a big deal to the players, and a tremendous accomplishment for Miller and Trocheck to earn spots on such a talented roster.
Each expects to fill the same role they did at the 4 Nations best-on-best international tournament. Take — and win — important face-offs. Bring physicality and play with an edge. Shut down the opposition’s best players. Kill penalties. Chip in offensively.
In his first season as Rangers captain, Miller has 22 points (10 goals, 12 assists) in 35 games, and is among the League leaders by winning 59.9 percent of his face-offs.
The 32-year-old currently is sidelined with an upper-body injury. He skated in a no-contact jersey at practice Thursday, but misses his sixth straight game Friday, when the Rangers face the Florida Panthers outdoors in the 2026 NHL Winter Classic at loanDepot Park in Miami.
Trocheck missed 14 games earlier this season with an upper-body injury, and is tied with Miller for fifth on the Rangers scoring list with 22 points (nine goals, 13 assists) in 28 games. He’s won 55.2 percent of his face-offs.
Rangers coach Mike Sullivan is back behind Team USA’s bench for the Milan-Cortina Olympics after coaching them at the 4 Nations Face-Off. General manager Chris Drury, who helped the United States win a silver medal at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, is part of the management group for Team USA, and helped select the current roster.
Adam Fox fails to land spot next to Rangers teammates on U.S. Olympics roster
Adam Fox didn’t make the final cut for the United States. The Rangers star defenseman revealed the disappointing news Thursday after their Winter Classic practice.
Ironically, Fox is in the midst of a better all-around season than both Miller and Trocheck. The 27-year-old has 28 points (four goals, 24 assists) in 28 games, and is third on the Rangers in scoring despite missing 14 games with an upper-body injury.
However, Miller and Trocheck likely are considered better fits for specific roles with Team USA. Fox is primarily a talented offensive defenseman and power-play quarterback; but the United States believes it has better options with Quinn Hughes of the Vancouver Canucks and Zack Werenski of the Columbus Blue Jackets filling those roles.
It probably didn’t help that Fox wasn’t at his best during the 4 Nations Face-Off a year ago.
“I don’t think you have any expectation, I would say,” Fox said Thursday. “I thought my play this year was worthy of it. Track record as well. It’s out of my hands at a certain point. The decision is the decision. I guess that’s how it goes.”
Since there’s still a month’s worth of NHL games to be played, injuries could open a path for Fox to be added to the U.S. roster.
Another Rangers defenseman is in a similar situation. Urho Vaakanainen didn’t make Finland’s Olympic roster, but could be added later on if an injury opens up a spot on the defense corps.
Rangers center Mika Zibanejad is on Sweden’s roster for the 2026 Winter Games.
