Forty-four players attended Team USA's Olympic orientation camp, including Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies. Auston Matthews appears all but certain for the 2026 Olympic roster, while Matthew Knies, despite previous Olympic experience in 2022, faces an uphill battle to make the final roster. Several wingers are effectively locks, leaving roughly two remaining roster spots and an extra. Veteran players carry injury and form risks that could affect selections. Knies competes with other mid-tier wingers for those remaining spots, and his pronounced physical play could offer a roster attribute that others do not match.
Matthew Knies is no stranger to Olympic hockey but despite that, he will face some tough competition for a roster spot on Team USA's final team. But, he can bring something more than any one of his peers. All of the 44 players that Team USA decided to bring to their Olympic orientation camp were present and participating earlier this week, with both Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies seen together.
If there is anything more than a lock, Matthews is that for Team USA. While Knies, despite representing his country at the 2022 Winter Olympics already, is projected to be on the outside looking in when the final decision is made on who will be crossing the Atlantic for the best-on-best tournament.
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