Lead: In Milan on Thursday, Team USA announced that 32-year-old Connor Hellebuyck will start the men’s ice hockey opener at the 2026 Winter Olympics against Latvia. Head coach Mike Sullivan made the decision after the morning skate, citing confidence in a three-goalie group that also includes Jeremy Swayman and Jake Oettinger. Hellebuyck arrives in the Games as the NHL’s reigning Hart and Vezina Trophy winner and with recent strong form for Team USA at last year’s 4 Nations Faceoff. The move marks Hellebuyck’s Olympic debut and sets the tone for the U.S. goaltending plan in the opening stage.
Key Takeaways
- Connor Hellebuyck was named the starter for Team USA’s Olympic opener vs. Latvia in Milan on Thursday.
- Hellebuyck, 32, is the NHL’s reigning Hart and Vezina Trophy winner and is making his Olympic debut.
- Through 36 NHL starts this season he has a .900 save percentage and a 2.79 goals-against average (GAA).
- In the 2024 4 Nations Faceoff he started three of four games and posted a .932 save percentage and a 1.59 GAA.
- Coach Mike Sullivan emphasized confidence in all three goalies—Hellebuyck, Jeremy Swayman (Bruins) and Jake Oettinger (Stars)—but said early performance will guide decisions.
- Last season Hellebuyck led the NHL with 47 wins, eight shutouts and a 2.00 GAA.
Background
The 2026 Winter Olympics men’s hockey tournament in Milan-Cortina features national teams balancing NHL-season form and short, high-stakes tournament play. Team USA assembled a goaltending trio of established NHL starters to provide depth and flexibility; Hellebuyck, Swayman and Oettinger all arrived with significant recent workloads and accolades. Hellebuyck’s selection follows a strong showing at the 4 Nations Faceoff last February, where he helped the U.S. reach the final. USA Hockey and head coach Mike Sullivan face the common tournament conundrum: how to allocate starts across top-level goalies while preserving form and managing fatigue.
Olympic-format hockey magnifies every decision because the schedule is compressed and single-game outcomes can determine advancement. Historically, teams often ride a hot goalie while keeping backup arms ready for quick turnarounds or injury, so the initial assignment frequently signals both confidence and contingency planning. For the U.S., the presence of two other elite starters provides a safety net but also raises strategic questions about when to switch nets if performance dips.
Main Event
After the morning skate in Milan, Sullivan announced Hellebuyck would get the first start against Latvia, a match that serves as Team USA’s tournament opener. Sullivan described Hellebuyck as “obviously an elite goalie” and noted the coaching staff’s trust in the full trio. The decision came following a week of practices and a final roster tune-up, and it formalizes a rotation choice for the opening contest.
Hellebuyck’s Olympic debut follows his leading role for the U.S. at the 4 Nations Faceoff, where he started three of four games including the championship against Canada and posted a .932 save percentage with a 1.59 GAA. In the NHL this season, across 36 starts, his .900 save percentage and 2.79 GAA reflect a heavier workload and different competition level than international play. Sullivan declined to frame the call as permanent, saying selection will be performance-driven throughout the tournament.
Practices in Milan featured Hellebuyck, Swayman and Oettinger working together on the ice, giving coaches direct, side-by-side evaluative comparisons. Coaches emphasized real-time performance as the primary criterion for future starts, noting tournament dynamics—short schedule, rapid opponent shifts—make flexibility essential. The U.S. faces Latvia first, a team that has surprised stronger opponents in past tournaments and will test Hellebuyck’s opening-game readiness.
Analysis & Implications
Choosing Hellebuyck to open suggests Team USA values his recent international form and the experience that comes with age and accolades. His 4 Nations numbers (.932 SP, 1.59 GAA) indicate he can excel in tournament conditions; translating that to Olympic play depends on game flow and defensive support. A .900 save percentage in the NHL this season signals he has faced tougher shot volumes and quality, but Sullivan’s staff must balance that wear with expected short-term upside.
The decision also shapes opponent game-planning. Latvia will prepare for Hellebuyck’s style—his positioning and rebound control—rather than Swayman’s or Oettinger’s tendencies. For Team USA, starting a decorated NHL goalie can be both a psychological signal of intent and a practical choice to stabilize the net early. If Hellebuyck performs well, the staff could ride momentum; if not, rapid changes are a realistic option given the depth on the bench.
Looking ahead, goaltender usage will be one of several levers Sullivan can adjust—line matchups, special teams, and minutes management all interact with the netminder’s performance. International tournaments often reward timely saves and short-run hot streaks; a single standout performance by Hellebuyck could influence rotation patterns across the knockout stages. Conversely, fatigue or a string of poor outings might force quicker reliance on Swayman or Oettinger than in a longer domestic season.
Comparison & Data
| Context | Save % | GAA | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025–26 NHL season (36 starts) | .900 | 2.79 | Reflects regular-season workload |
| 2024–25 NHL season (league leader) | — | 2.00 | Led NHL with 47 wins and 8 shutouts |
| 2024 4 Nations Faceoff (Team USA) | .932 | 1.59 | Started 3 of 4 games, including final vs. Canada |
The table highlights a divergence between Hellebuyck’s recent international form and his ongoing NHL season numbers. Tournament play often produces shorter, higher-intensity sample sizes—where hot streaks can outweigh season-long trends—which helps explain Sullivan’s willingness to start him despite a lower NHL save percentage this season.
Reactions & Quotes
Coach Sullivan framed the call as a careful, performance-based decision and reiterated confidence in the entire trio.
“He’s obviously an elite goalie.”
Mike Sullivan, Team USA head coach
On roster management and the tournament rhythm, Sullivan stressed that fast-paced events require results-driven choices.
“These decisions aren’t easy, but performance really matters in tournaments like this — we’re going to try to make decisions with every position that gives us the best chance to win.”
Mike Sullivan, Team USA head coach
Unconfirmed
- Whether Hellebuyck will receive multiple consecutive starts beyond the opener is not confirmed and will depend on performance and schedule.
- Specific in-game minute-management plans for Swayman and Oettinger (e.g., planned relief appearances) were not disclosed by the coaching staff.
- Any final tactical adjustments against Latvia—such as line matching or special teams emphasis tied to the goaltender choice—have not been publicly detailed.
Bottom Line
Team USA’s choice to start Connor Hellebuyck against Latvia signals trust in his international form and a preference to open the tournament with an experienced, decorated netminder. The decision balances his strong 4 Nations Faceoff showing and career accolades against a tougher NHL-season stat line, underscoring that short tournaments reward timely performance.
How the rotation unfolds will be determined quickly: Olympic hockey’s compressed schedule and single-game consequences mean Hellebuyck must deliver early to secure continued starts, while Swayman and Oettinger remain ready to step in. For observers, the opener will be an early barometer of Team USA’s goaltending strategy and a test of whether pedigree or recent workload best predicts success in Milan.
Sources
- New York Post — media report on the team announcement and quotes
- NHL.com — official league player profile and season statistics