Key Takeaways
- The 2026 Winter Olympics will feature a Team USA women’s hockey roster with all 23 players having NCAA experience, representing eight different programs.
- Eleven players on the roster have captured at least one national championship, with a total of 20 titles among them.
- Four members of the roster have earned the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award, the highest individual honor in college hockey.
- The team will compete in group play against Czechia, Finland, Switzerland, and Canada, with all matches streaming on Peacock.
- Six players on the roster are still playing college hockey and will look to bring an Olympic medal back to their campuses.
Introduction to Team USA
When Team USA takes the ice at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina, the roster will be a showcase of the sport’s most accomplished collegiate stars. All 23 players have NCAA experience, making this team a greatest-hits tour of women’s college hockey. The depth of achievement is staggering, with eight programs represented and 11 players having captured at least one national championship. Together, they account for 20 titles. Four members of the roster have earned the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award, cementing their status as elite performers.
NCAA Programs Represented
The NCAA programs represented on Team USA are Wisconsin, Minnesota, Boston College, Northeastern, Ohio State, Clarkson, Cornell, and Penn State. Wisconsin leads the way with six Olympians, followed by Minnesota with five, and Boston College and Northeastern with four each. Ohio State has three Olympians, while Clarkson, Cornell, and Penn State each have one. These programs have a rich history of producing talented players, and it’s no surprise that they are well-represented on the Team USA roster.
From Campus to Italy
While most members of the Team USA roster are now competing professionally, six players are still playing college hockey. These student-athletes will look to bring an Olympic medal back to their campuses and provide a boost to their teams for the final stretch of the season. The six players still in college are Laila Edwards, Caroline Harvey, Ava McNaughton, and Kirsten Simms from Wisconsin, Joy Dunne from Ohio State, and Tessa Janecke from Penn State. They will have the opportunity to balance their Olympic duties with their college commitments, and their experience will undoubtedly be an asset to their teams.
Title-Winning Talent
Women’s college hockey is well-represented on this roster, featuring NCAA champions and former student-athletes who have battled on the sport’s biggest collegiate stage — the Women’s Frozen Four. They bring championship pedigree and high-pressure experience to Team USA. The roster includes players from Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Ohio State, all of which have won national titles in recent years. These players have a proven track record of success and will be looking to bring that success to the Olympic stage.
Frozen Four Moments
If you’re building a highlight reel of recent NCAA tournament drama, Team USA is all over it. Kirsten Simms’ championship résumé is already legendary, with a goal in Wisconsin’s 1-0 national title win in 2023 and a late penalty shot and overtime winner in 2025. Ohio State’s 2024 national title moment saw freshman Joy Dunne score the game winner in the third period, assisted by Hannah Bilka and Cayla Barnes. Caroline Harvey scored the overtime winner in a 2023 national semifinal to push Wisconsin into the title game. These moments showcase the talent and determination of the players on Team USA and demonstrate why they are among the best in the world.
NCAA Award Winners and Record Holders
The roster includes several NCAA award winners and record holders. Alex Carpenter, Kendall Coyne Schofield, Aerin Frankel, and Taylor Heise have all won the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award, while Hannah Bilka, Tessa Janecke, and Joy Dunne have won the Julie Chu Women’s National Rookie of the Year award. Aerin Frankel and Gwyneth Philips have won the Women’s National Goalie of the Year award, and Ava McNaughton has won the award as well. These players have consistently demonstrated their excellence on the ice, and their awards and records are a testament to their hard work and dedication.
Notable NCAA Records
Several players on the roster hold notable NCAA records. Gwyneth Philips holds the NCAA career save percentage and goals against average records, while Ava McNaughton held the NCAA career goalie winning percentage at the end of her first two seasons. Hilary Knight ranks third in NCAA career goals, tied for first for power-play goals in a game, second in career game-winning goals, and tied for second for goals in a game. Kendall Coyne Schofield ranks second in single-season goals and third in career short-handed goals. Aerin Frankel holds the single-season save percentage record and ranks third in career save percentage. These records demonstrate the exceptional talent and achievement of the players on Team USA.
