Lacombe has 31 points (6 goals, 25 assists) in 49 games this season. The 25-year-old was selected in the second round (39th pick) by Anaheim in the 2019 NHL Draft, and had 91 points (22 goals, 69 assists) in 197 regular season games.

Although Lacombe did not play for the U.S. in last season’s four-nation tournament, he won a gold medal with the U.S. at the 2025 World Championships.

While attending the U.S. Olympic orientation camp in August, Lacombe said he was not considering joining the team.

“Obviously it’s a great experience just being in this camp and then being able to meet other players,” Lacombe said. “I’m happy with where I’m at and trying to enjoy each day.”

This is the first group of NHL players to represent the United States at the Olympics. This is the first time NHL players participated in the event in 2014.

In this tournament, all 12 teams will play three qualifying matches in their respective groups.

The three group winners and the best second place team will advance to the quarterfinals. The remaining eight teams will play single-elimination games to determine the remaining four teams that will advance to the quarterfinals. The gold medal match will be held on February 22nd.

In Group C, Team USA opens against Team Latvia on February 12th, followed by Team Denmark on February 14th and Team Germany on February 15th.

The United States hasn’t won a gold medal in men’s hockey since the 1980 Games in Lake Placid, New York.