The Ottawa Senators' roster will be well-represented on the international stage at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Italy, though fans may find themselves cheering against some of their favourite players. Team USA is expected to officially confirm its selections, headlined by two of Ottawa's top stars.
American Stars Set for Milan-Cortina
Captain Brady Tkachuk was named to the U.S. squad as one of its first six selections last summer, solidifying his spot. He will be joined by top-pairing defenceman Jake Sanderson, whose official confirmation is anticipated when U.S. general manager Bill Guerin announces the full roster on NBC's Today Show on Friday morning.
Sanderson's path to the Olympics gained significant momentum after his performance at the NHL's 4 Nations Face-Off tournament in February. Initially passed over for that event, he was added as a last-minute replacement for an injured Quinn Hughes. Sanderson impressed, even scoring a goal in the final against Canada, which bolstered his case for the Olympic team.
"I'm very honoured, and I'm very excited to see who I'm going to battle with," Tkachuk said on New Year's Eve regarding his Olympic selection.
Pinto's Olympic Hopes Dashed by Injury
While two Senators are heading to Italy, centre Shane Pinto is expected to be left off the final U.S. roster. His chances were seriously hampered by an unspecified lower-body injury that forced him to miss 10 games in December.
The injury occurred on December 4, coincidentally while U.S. Olympic coach Mike Sullivan and the New York Rangers were in Ottawa. The deep American talent pool makes the roster extremely difficult to crack, and Pinto's absence from the lineup came at a critical evaluation time. It is believed he was competing for a spot with Rangers forward Vincent Trocheck.
Senators' International Representation
The Senators will have a diverse group of players competing in Italy, meaning fans will have divided loyalties. Beyond the American duo:
- Tim Stutzle has already been named to Germany's Olympic roster.
- Veteran forward Lars Eller will represent Denmark, though he is currently sidelined for Ottawa with a broken foot.
Notably, the team will have no Canadian players participating in the men's hockey tournament at the 2026 Games, a fact that underscores the international makeup of Ottawa's current core. The announcements set the stage for a fascinating Olympic hockey tournament next month, with several Senators playing central roles for their home countries.
