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MIAMI — Two Rangers will don the red, white and blue at the Olympics in less than six weeks. 

Blueshirts captain J.T. Miller and alternate captain Vincent Trocheck were officially named to the U.S. Olympic men’s hockey team Friday morning. 

This will be the first Olympic appearance for the two Rangers, who grew up and played youth hockey together in the Pittsburgh area. They won gold together at the 2013 IIHF World Junior Championships in Ufa, Russia. 

They were also part of Team USA’s lineup at the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off last season. 

Miller and Trocheck join head coach Mike Sullivan, assistant coach David Quinn and general manager Chris Drury — members of Team USA’s coaching staff and management — in Milan, Italy. 

Team USA general manager Bill Guerin opted to keep a majority of the roster he assembled for their second-place finish at 4 Nations. Only two 4 Nations players were left off the Olympic roster: Rangers No. 1 defenseman Adam Fox and his former teammate, Chris Kreider. 


  J.T. Miller reacts after scoring a goal on Dec. 13. Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images J.T. Miller reacts after scoring a goal on Dec. 13. Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

“Well, first of all, I liked the way we played,” Guerin said when asked of keeping a similar roster construction. “Everybody was together. Everybody played the right way. Adhered to the game plan that Mike and his coaching staff brought to the table. But I think the biggest thing for me was the chemistry. And I think the chemistry allowed the guys to play the way that they did. The willingness to accept their role. 

“The willingness to do things that maybe on their NHL team they’re not asked to do, take a little bit less ice time, play a different role, all those things went into it. But the chemistry, I think, is one of the biggest things.” 

Jack Hughes, still wearing a protective guard on his surgically-repaired finger, helped unveil the U.S. roster Friday morning on NBC’s “Today.” 

The Devils star will compete with his brother, Quinn, this time around after the Wild defenseman was injured during 4 Nations last season. 

Team USA will have three newcomers in the Mammoth’s Clayton Keller, the Sabres’ Tage Thompson and the Panthers’ Seth Jones. Guerin said Thompson “can skate like the wind,” noting that his versatility in both positions and situations helped earn him a spot. 

Amid such a crowded roster battle, Fox was far from the only snub. The Stars’ Jason Robertson and the Canadiens’ Cole Caufield were among the most notable names left off Team USA’s roster. 


  Vincent Trocheck during warmups for the 2026 Winter Classic. NHLI via Getty Images Vincent Trocheck during warmups for the 2026 Winter Classic. NHLI via Getty Images

“We have to make a team,” Guerin said. “Like I’ve said before, if we’re doing it like that, then you don’t need a general manager. You don’t need a coach. Just do it by stats. We actually have to build a team. We have to fill roles. We have certain responsibilities that go up and down the lineup that we need players that are elite in those categories. Listen, there are so many guys that are not on this roster that could be on this roster. I understand that. Those decisions don’t come lightly. Take my word. Those are not fun phone calls to make. But in the end, we have a job to do and we’re putting together a team. Not just a group of individuals. It’s a team. 

“A lot of those players, there’s a chance some of them do get the nod. We don’t know what’s gonna happen. There’s a lot of hockey between now and then. There’s so many players that could be on this roster that are not.” 

Guerin said they’ve identified a number of players who can fill in if injuries should arise, but he declined to reveal any names. Fox is presumably one of the players in the reserve pool. 

The Rangers’ Mika Zibanejad, who scored a hat trick in their 5-1 blowout win over the Panthers in the Winter Classic on Friday night, also will be headed to Milan as part of Team Sweden

After representing Tres Kronor at the 4 Nations Face-Off, Zibanejad will make his Olympic debut in February. The 32-year-old center won gold at the 2012 World Junior Championships in Calgary before topping the 2018 World Championships in Denmark. 

Rangers defenseman Urho Vaakanainen did not make Team Finland’s Olympic roster. 

Having played just three games since Nov. 28, Vaakanainen has largely served as a healthy scratch for the Blueshirts this season. 

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