Team USA Men's Hockey Roster Boasts Arizona Ties

Several players, including team captain Auston Matthews, have connections to the Valley.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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The 2026 Winter Olympics men's hockey team representing the United States has strong ties to the state of Arizona. Multiple players, including team captain Auston Matthews, hail from the Phoenix area. Even head coach Mike Sullivan previously played for the Arizona Coyotes.

Why it matters

Arizona is not typically known as a hockey hotbed, so the prominence of Valley natives on Team USA's roster highlights the growing popularity and development of the sport in the region. The Arizona Coyotes' presence in the Phoenix metro area has helped cultivate local hockey talent over the years.

The details

Auston Matthews, the team's captain, was born and raised in Scottsdale. Other Arizona natives on the roster include defenseman Clayton Keller (Chesterfield) and forward Clayton Keller (Scottsdale). Head coach Mike Sullivan also has ties to the state, having played for the Arizona Coyotes in the 1990s.

  • The 2026 Winter Olympics are scheduled to take place from February 4-20, 2026.

The players

Auston Matthews

The team captain hails from Scottsdale, Arizona.

Clayton Keller

A defenseman on the team, he was born and raised in Chesterfield, Arizona.

Mike Sullivan

The head coach of Team USA previously played for the Arizona Coyotes in the 1990s.

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What they’re saying

“It's pretty special to have so many guys from Arizona on the team. We're proud to represent our home state on the world stage.”

— Auston Matthews, Team USA Captain (12news.com)

What’s next

The 2026 Winter Olympics men's hockey tournament will take place from February 8-22, 2026 in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.

The takeaway

The strong Arizona representation on Team USA's men's hockey roster showcases the growing popularity and development of the sport in the Phoenix metro area, thanks in part to the presence of the Arizona Coyotes in the region.