These four athletes with Arizona ties will compete in the Winter Olympics

By Mark Carlisle
Mail | X: @mwcarlisle

Sunny Arizona might seem a world away from the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, but Arizona has links to four athletes, who are all on the U.S. men’s hockey team.

The now departed Arizona Coyotes are responsible in some way for all four connections. Three of the players were born in Arizona because their fathers were playing for the Coyotes at the time. The other, Auston Matthews, fell in love with hockey at least in part because he grew up going to Coyotes games.

All four are in appearing in their first Olympics.

USA men's hockey begins play Thursday, Feb. 12 at 1:10 Arizona time against Latvia. The Americans are looking to make the podium for the first time since a silver medal in 2010. Last Winter Olympics in 2022, Team USA was the top team after the preliminary round but was upset in the quarterfinals by Slovakia in overtime.

Toronto Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews (34) celebrates his goal against the Buffalo Sabres during the first period of an NHL game in Toronto on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026.

(The Canadian Press via AP/Frank Gunn)

Auston Matthews, USA, men’s hockey

Matthews, the captain for Team USA, is the active NHL player most closely linked to Arizona, though he’s the only player on this list not born in the state. He was born in San Ramon, California, but his family moved to Scottsdale when he was a baby.

He grew up going to Coyotes games where he fell in love with hockey. His family moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan, shortly before Matthews turned 16 so he could play for USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program.

Matthews is a five-time NHL All-Star for the Toronto Maple Leafs, has led the league in goals three times, won the Hart Memorial Trophy (MVP) in the 2021-22 season and the Calder Memorial Trophy (rookie of the year) in 2016-17.

United States' Brady Tkachuk, right, celebrates after his goal against Canada with his brother Matthew Tkachuk, left, during the first period of the 4 Nations Face-Off championship hockey game, Feb. 20, 2025, in Boston.

(The Associated Press/Charles Krupa)

Matthew and Brady Tkachuk, USA, men’s hockey

The Tkachuk brothers were born in Scottsdale but moved away from Arizona at an early age.

The brothers’ father, Keith Tkachuk, was playing for the Coyotes when each of the boys was born. The family moved to St. Louis when the Coyotes traded Keith Tkachuck to the Blues in 2001 when Matthew was 3 and Brady was 1.

Matthew Tkachuk is a two-time NHL All-Star, once with the Calgary Flames and once with the Florida Panthers, as well as a two-time Stanley Cup winner with the Panthers in 2024 and 2025. Brady Tkachuk is a three-time All-Star with the Ottawa Senators and was an NHL All-Rookie Team selection in the 2018-19 season.

Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson (72) skates before the first overtime period against the Minnesota Wild of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025, in St. Paul, Minn.

(The Associated Press/Adam Bettcher)

Tage Thompson, USA, men’s hockey

Thompson is also the son of a former Coyote, Brent Thompson, though Thompson appeared in just one game for the Coyotes during the team’s inaugural season in 1996-97. Brent Thompson was signed by the New York Rangers and playing for their AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack in Connecticut when Tage was born back in Phoenix in October 1997.

Tage Thompson’s Arizona connection didn’t last long beyond his birth, growing up in several different cities as his father did not appear in the NHL again but bounced around AHL teams before starting a coaching career.

Tage Thompson played his first NHL season with the St. Louis Blues but has played the last eight with the Buffalo Sabres. He led the league in even-strength goals in the 2024-25 season.

2022 APPEARANCES

Toronto Maple Leafs' Matthew Knies (23) shoots against the Philadelphia Flyers during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Philadelphia.

(The Associated Press/Matt Rourke)

Matthew Knies, USA, men’s hockey

Phoenix-born Knies, Auston Matthews’ teammate on the Toronto Maple Leafs, was an Olympian for Team USA in 2022 but did not make the team this year.

Knies had one goal and one assist playing in four games in 2022.

Former Arizona State hockey player Peter Zhong played in the 2022 Winter Olympics for the host country China, which automatically qualifies for each event. China did not qualify for the men’s hockey tournament in 2026.

(Courtesy Arizona State Athletics)

Peter Zong, China, men’s hockey

Former Arizona State hockey player Peter Zhong played in the 2022 Winter Olympics for the host country China, which automatically qualifies for each event.

China did not qualify for the men’s hockey tournament in 2026.

FAMILIAR FACES

Utah Mammoth's Clayton Keller (9) controls the puck in front of Carolina Hurricanes' Sebastian Aho (20) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026.

(The Associated Press/Karl DeBlaker)

Clayton Keller, USA, men’s hockey

Keller is also on the Team USA roster this year, playing in his first Olympics. He played eight seasons for the Coyotes, earning four All-Star appearances, before the team left for Utah after the 2023-24 season. He is eighth all-time for the Coyotes in both goals and assists and seventh in points.

Utah Mammoth goalkeeper Karel Vejmelka (70) hits Vegas Golden Knights right wing Keegan Kolesar (55) into the boards during the third period of an NHL hockey game, Monday, Nov. 24, 2025, in Salt Lake City.

(The Associated Press/Anna Fuder)

Karel Vejmelka, Czechia, men’s hockey

Vejmelka played just three seasons with the Coyotes before they left for Utah, where he is now. He is seventh all-time in Coyotes history in both games played by a goalie and saves.

In his rookie year with the Coyotes, Vejmelka led the NHL with 32 losses in net. This year with Utah, he is leading the league with 27 wins in 44 games played in net. His team has played 57 games.

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Mark Carlisle
Associate Editor | Phoenix

mcarlisle@iniusa.org

Meet Mark

Mark Carlisle joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2017, covering Glendale. He has since moved to the Daily Independent team, primarily covering the city of Phoenix along with other topics affecting the Valley at-large.

Community: Mark enjoys taking his two young sons to parks, the Phoenix Zoo, the Phoenix Public Library  and other fun events around the Valley. He also participates in a local book club.

Education: Chapman University with a BA in English Journalism and one in Screenwriting.

Random Fact: Mark worked at a tuxedo shop in college. Just don’t ask him to tie a bowtie.

 Hobbies: Spending time with his wife, sons and dog, watching sports and TV shows, listening to audiobooks and occasionally writing fiction or designing a board game.