NHL star disappointed to be left off Team USA’s Olympic roster: ‘I thought my game this year was worthy’
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USA Hockey released its Olympic roster on Friday and there were a couple of notable omissions.
New York Rangers star defenseman Adam News and Dallas Stars left winger Jason Robertson were left off the list. News played for the United States in the 4 Nations Tournament last year, but struggled.
Despite his struggles in the 4 Nations tournament, the 27-year-old remains one of the best defensemen in the NHL. The 2020-21 Norris Trophy winner as the NHL’s top defenseman has 28 points in 24 games this season.
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Adam News of the New York Rangers prepares for a faceoff against the Detroit Red Wings during the second period at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Nov. 7, 2025. (Dave Reginek/NHLI)
News has four goals and 24 assists. The three-time All-Star missed 14 games with a shoulder injury, and the Rangers sorely missed their best defenseman, going 6-6-2 in his absence as the power play faltered without him.
“Obviously, it’s disappointing,” News said, according to NHL.com. “I thought I played as well as I think I could have, and that decision comes out of your hands at a certain point. It is what it is. You just have to move forward.
“I don’t think you have any expectations (of making the Olympic team), I would say, but obviously I thought my play this year was worthy of it and my record was worthy of it,” News said. “But at a certain point it’s out of my hands. The decision is the decision, and I guess that’s how it works.”
Robertson was left out of the 4 Nations roster last season due to a slow start, but the 26-year-old has made a good start this season. In 41 games, Robertson scored 24 goals and recorded 24 assists, leading fans to believe he could provide Team USA with some top-notch goals.
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New York Rangers defenseman Adam News passes the puck against the Detroit Red Wings during the third period at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY on November 16, 2025. (John Jones)
Here is the US team roster:
Forwards
Matt Boldy, Minnesota Wild
Kyle Connor, Winnipeg Jets
Jack Eichel, Las Vegas Golden Knights
Jake Guentzel, Tampa Bay Lightning
Jack Hughes, New Jersey Devils
Clayton Keller, Utah Mammoth
Dylan Larkin, Detroit Red Wings
Auston Matthews, Toronto Maple Leafs
JT Miller, game warden
Brock Nelson, Colorado Avalanche
Tage Thompson, Buffalo Sabers
Brady Tkachuk, Ottawa Senators
Matthew Tkachuk, Florida Panthers
Vincent Trocheck, Rangers
defense
Brock Faber, Wild
Charlie McAvoy, Boston Bruins
Noah Hanifin, Knights
Quinn Hughes, Wild
Seth Jones, Panthers
Jake Sanderson, Senators
Jacob Slavin, Carolina Hurricanes
Zach Werenski, Columbus Blue Jackets
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Dallas Stars left wing Jason Robertson skates against the Toronto Maple Leafs during a game at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, on December 21, 2025. (Jerónimo Mirón)
Goalkeepers
Connor Hellebuyck, Jets
Jake Oettinger, Stars
Jeremy Swayman, Bruins
The 2026 Winter Olympics begin on February 4 and run until February 22.
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Ryan Canfield is a digital production assistant for News Digital.