Inside Team USA’s Friendly, Yet Competitive Goalie Battle

Fueling the depth of the United States’ goaltenders is an amicable battle between the top three options.

Feb 15, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team United States goalie Connor Hellebuyck (37) makes a blocker save against Team Canada in the second period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-Imagn Images / Eric Bolte-Imagn Images

The United States have a distinct advantage over the rest of the field entering the 2026 Winter Olympic Games. Their goaltending depth is the best in the world, and it could be the key to securing a gold medal for the first time since 1980 and their first medal since the 2010 games.

Fueling the depth of the United States’ goaltenders is an amicable yet competitive battle between the top three options. Winnipeg Jets superstar and reigning Vezina Trophy and Hart Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck is the starter for this group. He’s backed up by Jake Oettinger of the Dallas Stars and Boston Bruins anchor Jeremy Swayman. Seattle Kraken backstop Joey Daccord also joined the trio at the United States Olympic Orientation Camp Roster. While other countries like Sweden, for example, also boast a talented unit, it pales in comparison to the United States.

Complete Camaraderie

Mar 13, 2025; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Boston Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman (1) looks up the ice prior to the start of game against the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images / Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images

This unit has a ton of experience together. The trio of Hellebuyck, Oettinger and Swayman led Team USA to a silver medal at the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off and reunited at the recent training session. At the camp, Swayman discussed how confident he is in his Olympics teammates and how much their relationships have fueled the desire to help one another improve.

”I don't know if you can get a better trio,” he said. “It doesn't matter if we see each other yesterday or haven't seen each other for months. It seems like we haven't really skipped a beat."

The friendships these three share makes the battle even better, whether it’s against one another in the NHL season or in practice together for Team USA, that type of camaraderie is driving each one to be their very best.

"It's just a complete camaraderie," he explained. Obviously, playing against those guys, it’s always fun. I'm always asking them what they've been doing, how they've been critiquing their game, getting better. And we've really been able to bump ideas and obviously raise our level and play with each other, and that's something we're really excited about and understand."

Pathway Through the Hockey East

Aside from their national heritage, the three top goalies for Team USA all developed in the NCAA. Specifically, they attended colleges or universities in the Hockey East conference. Hellebuyck attended the University of Massachusetts-Lowell. Oettinger played three seasons at Boston University and Swayman attended the University of Maine. Each became a prominent NHL prospect during their time in college, and it's fitting that now this is the trio representing USA hockey.

Impossible Choice Incoming

May 29, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger (29) in action during the game between the Dallas Stars and the Edmonton Oilers in game five of the Western Conference Final of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images / Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Hellebuyck is the likely starter heading into Milan for the 2026 Winter Olympics, but the team is leaving that role open until closer to the tournament. Oettinger and Swayman know that if they have the better starts to the 2025-2026 regular season, they could put themselves in line to be the number one option for Team USA. As Oettinger sees it, it’s another motivating push. At the same time, there’s some surrendering to things outside of his control when it comes to starting in the Olympics.

"I think all three of us are competitive, we all know we can do well in that role and it’s up to us, whoever plays the best,” he said at orientation camp.. “I look like it as, do whatever is my power to get the net and at the end, wherever the chips lay, you accept it."

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