Team USA’s Olympic hockey roster is already stirring up controversy before it’s even announced. In a shocking move, New York Rangers star Adam Fox won’t be making the trip to Italy for the 2026 Games.
Fox, one of hockey’s elite defensemen, broke the news himself on Thursday after getting word from USA Hockey management.
What makes this decision really head-scratching? Fox isn’t just any player – he’s a top defenseman in the NHL and already wears the USA jersey, having played in last year’s 4 Nations Face-Off tournament.
But here’s where it gets interesting.
The Rangers have three key people involved in Team USA’s decision-making process: head coach Mike Sullivan, assistant coach David Quinn, and general manager Chris Drury. You’d think having your NHL bosses in charge would help your Olympic chances, right?
Apparently not.
While Minnesota Wild GM Bill Guerin had the final say as Team USA’s general manager, it’s pretty surprising that Fox’s NHL leadership team couldn’t – or didn’t – make a stronger case for him.
Making things even more awkward, two of Fox’s Rangers teammates, J.T. Miller and Vincent Trocheck, are reportedly heading to Italy. That’s got to sting.
Sullivan says he’s talked with Fox several times about getting cut. But try explaining to your star defenseman why he’s watching the Olympics from home while his teammates are competing for gold.
These kinds of Olympic roster decisions have caused tension between players and their NHL teams before. Now everyone’s wondering how this will play out in the Rangers’ locker room.
The full Team USA roster gets announced Friday, but this surprise cut is already the talk of the hockey world.
