Jason Robertson addresses Team USA omission

Filipino American NHL star Jason Robertson has spoken about being left off a 25-man Team USA men’s ice hockey roster for the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympic Winter Games. The 26-year-old Dallas Stars left wing led all U.S.-born players in the American selection pool with 48 points and had recorded more goals (49) and points (98) during the 2025 calendar year than any other American player.

Selection decision announced: USA Hockey named the roster on Friday, unveiling a group headlined by Auston Matthews, Jack Eichel, Clayton Keller and Tage Thompson. Bill Guerin, who serves as general manager of the U.S. Olympic men’s team, and coach Mike Sullivan selected a lineup that included New York Rangers forwards Vincent Trocheck and J.T. Miller instead of Robertson. At the time of selection, Miller had 22 points during the 2025-26 season while Trocheck had nine goals through 29 games.

The decision drew backlash from fans online, with one writing, “USA had a chance and they blew it,” while another called Robertson being passed over “ridiculous” and criticized team leadership for what they described as “gross negligence.”

Robertson reflects on his growth as a player: An Arcadia, California native, Robertson was drafted No. 39 overall in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft and has totaled 442 career points with 192 goals and 250 assists. During his media availability after practice at American Airlines Center, Robertson said missing the Four Nations tournament last year served as motivation, but that this year’s omission felt different given his production this season and the internal competition within Team USA.

“I mean, obviously it hurts your ego, but I’m not going to change the way I play. I’m happy to keep doing what I do,” Robertson said. “I just strive to be the best at whatever I can be. It so happened that this year was the Olympic year, and that’s not gonna stop me from doing that the rest of the season. I love the game. I just keep playing. And that’s the beauty of it.”

Robertson said he was not yet aware whether he had been placed on Team USA’s reserve list.