There are some nations competing in these Winter Olympics that are shaking off the rust of international play and others that are just happy to be there. The United States is certainly neither, seeking revenge for its overtime loss to Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off final and validation for their IIHF World Championship last year.

Italian Lawmaker Riccardo Magi, center, shows a placard demanding that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents not be allowed at the Milan Cortina Olympics during a protest staged by center-left party +Europa outside the US Embassy in Rome, Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

During the 2026 Parade of Nations in the Milan Cortina Olympics Opening Ceremony, you won’t hear “United States” be called out in English to announce Team USA — instead, viewers will need to listen for their country to be announced in Italian.

With NHL players back on Olympic ice for the first time since 2014, the men’s hockey tournament at the 2026 Winter Games opened with heightened expectations and international star power. The United States entered the tournament as a medal contender,