Ottawa Senators star defenceman Jake Sanderson has officially been named to the United States men's hockey team for the upcoming Winter Olympic Games, setting the stage for a gold medal pursuit in Italy next month.
Olympic Roster Spot Earned Through Elite Play
The 23-year-old blue-liner was one of 23 players selected to the American roster for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milano-Cortina, Italy. The announcement was made by USA Hockey on Friday, January 2, 2026. Sanderson will join his Ottawa captain, Brady Tkachuk, and Brady's brother, Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk, on the star-studded squad.
This selection marks Sanderson's second Olympic appearance, having previously played for a younger American team at the 2022 Beijing Games during the COVID-19 pandemic. His path to this year's team was solidified by a standout performance at the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament last February, where he was a late addition after receiving a call from U.S. general manager Bill Guerin.
A Rising Star Among NHL's Elite Defencemen
Sanderson's continued ascent to becoming one of the National Hockey League's top defencemen was a key factor in his selection. Through 39 games this season with the Senators, he has recorded eight goals and 28 points while averaging more than 25 minutes of ice time per night. His two-way play has even placed him in the early conversation for the Norris Trophy, awarded to the league's best defenceman.
"It's such an honour," Sanderson said from the Canadian Tire Centre. "You look at the list, for all the countries, it's pretty impressive. To have the opportunity to go a second time, I'm just forever grateful."
Coach Sullivan Praises Complete Game
Team USA head coach Mike Sullivan highlighted Sanderson's all-around abilities as a decisive factor. "What he showed is that he belongs and he's an emerging elite defenceman in the league," Sullivan stated on a conference call. "When we added him to the 4 Nations team, I thought his performance just provided evidence that the conversations we had about him were correct."
Sullivan elaborated on Sanderson's toolkit: "He's mobile, good size, can play on a power play, a good defender, can kill penalties, drives offence with his ability to make outlet passes and join the rush. He defends very well with his mobility and his stick. His body of work in the NHL and the way he continues to progress, and the impact that he has with his team in Ottawa, speaks for itself."
Sanderson will be part of an eight-man American defence corps that also includes high-profile names like Quinn Hughes, Charlie McAvoy, Zach Werenski, Brock Faber, Noah Hanifin, Seth Jones, and Jaccob Slavin. The Senators now have two confirmed Olympians, with more potential selections for other national teams expected in the coming weeks.
The 2026 Winter Olympics will take place from February 6 to February 22, with the men's ice hockey tournament being one of the marquee events. Sanderson and his American teammates will aim to improve upon their silver medal performance from the 2022 Games and bring home the gold for the first time since the "Miracle on Ice" in 1980.
