Tage Thompson and Clayton Keller helped the U.S. win the world hockey championship for the first time since 1933, while Seth Jones was a key part of the Florida Panthers' second consecutive Stanley Cup run.
Those contributions earned them a spot on the U.S. team at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics as the only three additions from the 4 Nations Face-Off early last year.
USA Hockey unveiled its roster Friday, with a vast majority of it made up of players who took part in the NHL-run international tournament in February, when the Americans made the final before losing to Canada in overtime.
“I liked the way we played: Everybody was together, everybody played the right way,” general manager Bill Guerin said on a video call with reporters. “The biggest thing for me was the chemistry, and I think the chemistry allowed the guys to play the way that they did.”
The only ones not back from the 4 Nations are forward Chris Kreider and former New York Rangers teammate Adam Fox, the 2021 Norris Trophy winner as the NHL’s top defenseman. Guerin took issue with the perception that Fox was left off because of his role in Connor McDavid's OT goal 11 months ago.
“If you think we made a decision on one play, then you must not think we’re very smart,” Guerin said. "I’m going to keep those conversations private. Our decision was made, and we’re moving forward.”
Keller, who's captain of the Utah Mammoth and tied for their lead in scoring, wore the “C" at worlds. Thompson, who plays for the Buffalo Sabres, was a point-a-game producer.
“He’s 6-foot-6 and can skate like the wind,” Guerin said. "He’s got an incredible shot, scoring ability — he’s got versatility, as well. He can play center, play wing, kill penalties, he’s on the power play. The versatility, size and skill level are a pretty unique package.”
The U.S. followed Canada's lead after its northern neighbor also chose a 4 Nations-heavy roster. But while Canada made some changes in net beyond starter Jordan Binnington, the Americans went with the same three goaltenders: reigning league MVP Connor Hellebuyck, Jake Oettinger and Jeremy Swayman.
Left off were Jason Robertson of the Dallas Stars, who's leads U.S. players in points this season, and a couple other elite goal scorers, Cole Caufield and Alex DeBrincat, who are each 5-foot-8. Asked about size as a factor in decision-making, Guerin said it was a bonus, adding, “It doesn’t help if you’re big and you stink.”
“We actually have to build a team,” Guerin said. “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.”
Guerin and his management staff, along with coach Mike Sullivan, prioritized experience and players they knew well. That meant sticking with depth forwards Vincent Trocheck and Brock Nelson over Robertson and others.
Jones was a notable exception, after his shutdown prowess was evident in the playoffs last year.
“He’s a big strong kid that skates extremely well,” Sullivan said. “He has the ability to play on both side of the puck.”
Teams are allowed 25 players at the Olympics, up from 23 at the 4 Nations, and can dress 20 skaters — typically 13 forwards and seven defenseman, along with two goalies. The first U.S. game is Feb. 12 against Latvia.
AP Olympic coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics
FILE - Florida Panthers Seth Jones carries the Stanley Cup during the NHL hockey team's Stanley Cup championship celebration, Sunday, June, 22, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Michael Laughlin, File)
FILE - Sweden's Marcus Johansson falls by United States' Tage Thompson during the semifinal match between Sweden and the United States at the ice hockey world championships in Stockholm,Sweden, Saturday, May 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek, File)
FILE - United States' Clayton Keller holds up the tropy after the final match between United States and Switzerland at the ice hockey world championships in Stockholm, Sweden, Sunday, May 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek, File)
SION, Switzerland (AP) — The hospital that initially took in the majority of injured victims from a fire at a Swiss bar is no stranger to emergencies: In the heart of the Alps, it is used to treating winter sports enthusiasts who have accidents on the slopes.
But the flood of young and severely burned survivors from the blaze that tore through Le Constellation in Crans-Montana during New Year's Eve revelry was something else.
Eric Bonvin, general director of the regional hospital in Sion that took in several dozen injured people, said those with severe burns face months of treatment but expressed hope that their youth will speed their recovery.
The injured were teenagers and young adults, roughly 20 years old on average, he told The Associated Press inside the hospital, which is about 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the resort by air. Survivors have described seeing their fellow revelers struggling to escape the inferno, some with severe burns.
Bonvin recounted how hospital staff scrambled to determine the extent of people’s injuries — aided by colleagues who had not been scheduled to work but rushed in to lend a hand.
“It’s a very particular situation because at the beginning burns are not necessarily apparent, the nerve endings are burnt so feelings are lost and the person is most of all in a state of shock,” he said. “At those moments, every minute counts.”
Injured survivors suffered burns to varying degrees, not just to their skin but also to their airways.
“There were inhalations of both smoke and also of heat that for some probably led to internal burns. That’s a really catastrophic situation, as you can imagine,” Bonvin said.
The hospital was well staffed, despite the holiday, because the end of year festivities are so busy in the Alpine Valais region, attracting crowds to its mountains but also leading to ski accidents and other medical emergencies.
“Our population doubles in a week,” he said. “Every year it's a period of intense stress for our emergency unit."
But “many people (staffers) came spontaneously, even those who were on holiday or having a night out,” he said. “That worked well.”
Still the hospital, which doesn’t have a specialized burn unit, quickly hit full capacity, authorities said, as the hospital took in about 80 seriously injured people in just three hours Thursday, straining intensive care facilities. All of the hospital’s surgical operating rooms were opened.
Bonvin said 55 gravely injured people were rushed to his hospital by medical transports that night. Others with injuries came of their own accord, some brought in by loved ones.
By Friday afternoon, most had been transferred to other hospitals, while others had been discharged, Bonvin said.
Some medical workers treated the injured without knowing whether their loved ones might be among them.
“It was hard to live through for everyone. Also probably because everyone was asking themselves, ‘Was my child, my cousin, someone from the region at this party?’ This place was very well known as somewhere to celebrate the new year,” Bonvin said. “Also, seeing young people arrive — that’s always traumatic.”
The road to recovery for the gravely injured will likely be long and arduous, he cautioned.
“For those with serious burns, intensive care treatment lasts several months,” he said.
“But it’s not without hope,” he added. “They are young and that means they still have a lot of vitality.”
CORRECTS CITY TO SION - Eric Bonvin, director of the Hospital du Valais, attends a press conference in Sion, Switzerland, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (Jean-Christophe Bott/Keystone via AP)
People bring flowers near the sealed off Le Constellation bar, where a devastating fire left dead and injured during the New Year's celebrations in Crans-Montana, Swiss Alps, Switzerland, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/ Antonio Calanni)
People mourn behind flowers and letters near the sealed off Le Constellation bar, where a devastating fire left dead and injured during the New Year's celebrations in Crans-Montana, Swiss Alps, Switzerland, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/ Antonio Calanni)
People lay candles and flowers near the Le Constellation bar, where a devastating fire left dead and injured during the New Year's celebrations in Crans-Montana, Swiss Alps, Switzerland, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/ Antonio Calanni)
People bring flowers and candles near the sealed off Le Constellation bar, where a devastating fire left dead and injured during the New Year's celebrations in Crans-Montana, Swiss Alps, Switzerland, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/ Antonio Calanni)
A helicopter takes off from the Hotel du Valais hospital in Sion, Switzerland, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, following the fire at the "Le Constellation" bar and lounge in Crans-Montana, during the New Year celebration. (AP Photo/Baz Ratner)
Two men walk outside a hospital as a helicopter takes off in Sion, Switzerland, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, following the fire at the "Le Constellation" bar and lounge in Crans-Montana, Switzerland during the New Year celebration. (AP Photo/Baz Ratner)
