Golden Knights center Jack Eichel was named to USA Hockey’s preliminary roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics, the organization announced Monday.

All 12 teams participating in the Olympics, which take place in February in Italy, unveiled the first six players on their rosters.

Joining Eichel on Team USA are Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews, Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk, Florida Panthers right wing Matthew Tkachuk, Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes and Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy.

Eichel, 28, will be participating in the Olympics for the first time. The North Chelmsford, Massachusetts, native had a career-high 94 points last season and finished fifth in the Hart Trophy voting for NHL MVP.

Eichel was also one of the first six players named to the U.S. roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off. He had four assists in four games during the tournament in February to help his country finish second. The U.S. lost the championship game 3-2 in overtime to Canada.

The U.S. men’s team has not won an Olympic gold medal since the “Miracle on Ice” against the Soviet Union in 1980. The team last medaled in 2010, when it lost the championship game in overtime to Canada.

NHL players have not participated in the Olympics since the 2014 Games in Sochi, Russia.

Eichel probably won’t be the only Knights player going to Italy.

Right wing Jonas Rondbjerg, a pending restricted free agent, was among the first six players named to Denmark’s roster Monday.

The Knights also had captain Mark Stone (Canada), center William Karlsson (Sweden), goaltender Adin Hill (Canada) and defensemen Alex Pietrangelo (Canada), Shea Theodore (Canada) and Noah Hanifin (USA) get selected for the 4 Nations Face-Off.

Karlsson and Pietrangelo did not participate because of injuries, while Theodore was hurt in Canada’s first game.

Olympic rosters will consist of 25 players, two more than teams were allowed in the 4 Nations Face-Off, making it even more likely the Knights will send several players overseas.

Pietrangelo is the only member of the group with Olympic experience. He won gold with Canada in 2014.

Knights coach Bruce Cassidy was an assistant on Team Canada’s coaching staff for the 4 Nations Face-Off and could also join several of his players at the Olympics. Tampa Bay Lightning coach Jon Cooper, Cassidy’s boss at the 4 Nations Face-Off, is coaching Canada’s Olympic team.

Contact Danny Webster at dwebster@reviewjournal.com. Follow @DannyWebster21 on X.