Four Chicago Blackhawks have been named to the preliminary roster for the 2026 IIHF World Championship, set to kick off in just over a week in Zurich and Fribourg, Switzerland. USA Hockey announced the squad on Thursday, and it's packed with a mix of veteran experience and rising young talent from the Blackhawks organization.
Representing the Red, White, and Blue are forward Sam Lafferty, center Oliver Moore, defenseman Wyatt Kaiser, and goaltender Drew Commesso. Earlier reports from The Athletic's Scott Powers had already hinted that Lafferty, Moore, and Kaiser were expected to make the trip to Switzerland—but Commesso's addition adds even more depth between the pipes for Team USA.
For Moore and Kaiser, making the final roster would mark a major milestone: their first-ever appearance at the World Championship. Moore, a Minnesota native who honed his skills with the U.S. National Team Development Program from 2021 to 2023, is no stranger to international success. He's already won gold at the U18 World Junior Championship in 2023 and back-to-back U20 World Junior Championships in 2024 and 2025. Kaiser, hailing from Andover, Minnesota, has also worn the USA jersey before, competing in the 2020 U18 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and the 2022 U20 World Junior Championship.
Lafferty brings a veteran presence to the squad. The 31-year-old forward from Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, previously suited up for Team USA at the 2022 World Championship, tallying three points (one goal, two assists) in 10 games. This summer, Lafferty is set to become an unrestricted free agent, and reports suggest he's unlikely to re-sign with the Blackhawks—making this international stage a potential showcase for his next chapter.
Commesso, meanwhile, is a seasoned international competitor despite being just 23 years old. The Norwell, Massachusetts, native has already represented the U.S. at multiple high-profile events, including the 2019 U17 World Hockey Championship, the 2021 and 2023 World Championships, and the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. A second-round pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, Commesso is also set to hit unrestricted free agency on July 1, but he's expected to receive a contract extension from the Blackhawks.
As the tournament approaches, all eyes will be on these four Blackhawks as they vie for a spot on the final roster—and a chance to bring home gold for Team USA.