3 New Jersey Devils invited to Team USA 2026 Winter Olympics camp

On Tuesday, USA Hockey revealed the 44 players set to attend their 2026 Winter Olympics Orientation Camp, featuring three New Jersey Devils players.

Devils star Jack Hughes, younger brother Luke Hughes, and Luke's defense partner, Brett Pesce, were all named to the Orientation Camp roster Tuesday; only Jack represented the Devils at the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament in the winter a few months back.

With the Hughes brothers and Pesce representing the Devils, New Jersey is one of the most prominently featured teams on the roster. The New York Rangers, Ottawa Senators, and Winnipeg Jets each have three players in the preliminary group as well.

The inclusion of Jack and Luke Hughes, in particular, is notable.

Jack Hughes is coming off a season-ending shoulder injury suffered in March while playing for the Devils, while Luke Hughes is still a restricted free agent waiting to sign a new long-term contract with the Devils.

While USA Hockey expressly noted that the Orientation Camp is an "administrative and team-building event" with no on-ice participation, it indicates that both players are expected to be in the mix for the final Winter Olympics roster, which will be revealed in January.

Luke was not in the mix to replace injured brother and future Devils teammate Quinn Hughes at the 4 Nations a few months back, and Jack, of course, has had injuries plague him for much of his fledgling NHL career.

For the sake of situational comparison, Vancouver goalie Thatcher Demko, who was a Vezina Trophy finalist just one season ago, was left off in favor of Seattle goalie Joey Daccord.

All the American skaters invited to the camp will head to Plymouth, Mich., to partake in the Orientation Camp from Tuesday, Aug. 26, to Wednesday, Aug. 27. Funny enough, that is just a 15-minute drive away from Canton, Michigan, the Hughes brothers listed hometown.