In a bout of exciting news, the USA Olympic Team named the 44 members of their Summer Orientation Camp today. For Ottawa Senator hockey fans, they can also be excited. Three members of their American contingent were apart of that group. Those players include Brady Tkachuk, Shane Pinto, and Jake Sanderson. So let’s dive in and discuss what it means from a Sens perspective.
Introducing the 44 players who will attend the U.S. Men’s Olympic Orientation Camp
Details: https://t.co/lWC0ZT1AJc pic.twitter.com/16FT49FRgP
— USA Hockey (@usahockey) August 19, 2025
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Three Ottawa Senators Named to Team USA Olympic Orientation Camp
For the Sens, having three players around some of the best talent in the world is important. What is doubly impressive for the Ottawa Senators on Team USA, is that they have the opportunity to showcase a leadership role. That’s not only important for Ottawa but also within the top USA Men’s National Team.
Brady Tkachuk, who’s already the Sens captain, is considered a big piece of the Team USA group. Also, he’s been named to the squad previously as further support of the idea of him as a leader. Back in mid-June, he was one of the first six to be named to his country for the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympic games.
Next, what about Sens defenceman Jake Sanderson? If you go by some of the off-season chatter, Sanderson has moved into the upper-echelon of NHL rearguards. Not saying he will win the 2026 Norris Trophy, but if what we’ve heard via social media comes to fruition, he will at least garner some votes. Therefore, when it comes to just one country’s pool of players, it’s not hard to imagine him as one the top-four US defenders. With the likes of Adam Fox, Quinn Hughes, Zach Werenski, and so on, that is a very select company. Being a top defenceman for his club, combined with his 4 Nations Face-Off experience, and now this invitation, will only help catapult Sandy’s superstar skillset.
The Surprise Selection From the Senators
Last, but certainly not least, is Shane Pinto. One thing, if we go back a couple years now, the Sens provided him was an opportunity to play with elite talent. In his NHL rookie campaign no less, centring Batherson and Alex DeBrincat only did wonders for his career development. Moreover, in a group of elite talent, Pinto brings an element that is necessary, but not always available in an over abundance. That superpower being penalty killing. Great NHLers can prove themselves on the penalty kill, when the top power play is full.
That is exactly the scenario with the Ottawa Senators and the situation Pinto finds himself in. He wants to become one of the best penalty killers in the game, much less on his team. Of course, his inclusion on this team was boosted by another fact. At the 2025 Men’s World Hockey Championships, Pinto notched ten points in eight Team USA contests. It just goes to show how far loyalty can get you in this great game.
What About Other Ottawa Senators Internationals
Now that we have discussed today’s Team USA news, let’s switch gears for a second. What about some of the other Senator players prospects of playing for their country. For Canada, there were a couple outside possibilities in Thomas Chabot and Drake Batherson. However, one observation on those two, is that they don’t necessarily drive play.
Yes, Chabot is a very smooth defenceman. Unfortunately, he’s not overly physical and he is much better when paired with an elite, right-shot defenceman. Of course, you could quickly counteract that argument. That argument being, on a Team Canada, that is the very player he would be paired with. That is why Sen fans would still hold out hope that a big start for 2025-26 could still put Chabot in the conversation. Imagine a pairing of Noah Dobson and Chabot, in some sort of fantasy land…
What about the forwards. Let’s consider a couple others that didn’t get the nod for Canada. For instance, Nazem Kadri and Jordan Kyrou seem to be of a similar mold to Batherson. They are fine five-tool guys. They have some speed, don’t mind going into the corners, can shoot, pass, and use their mitts.
However, many of the forwards on Team Canada, have one of two traits. They are either proven superstars (Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, Sidney Crosby). In contrast, they also like physical guys, that are hard on the puck, but also very good hands when needed. You know, a traditional Canadian style. This is the Sam Bennett and Brandon Hagel types of the hockey playing world. So, not to say huge starts couldn’t still get these guys on the team, it will be difficult after not making the camp.
Other Ottawa Senators With Olympic Aspirations Besides Those On Team USA
A couple other Sens to discuss include Linus Ullmark and Nikolas Matinpalo. Ullmark is a star, and could very well make Team Sweden in net. However, not being asked to play at the World Championships was a strange development in that discussion. Perhaps Ullmark’s game is better suited to NHL play, where it is more about positioning and shot blocking. That is opposed to the best-on-best game, that has a lot more speed, a more of a run-and-gun style.
As for Matinpalo, not unlike Pinto, hopefully this type of environment can grow their all-around games. Matinpalo making the 4 Nations Finnish squad only blossomed his confidence. Not saying he is necessarily a lock for the Team Final Olympic squad, but even being around these superstars, like Pinto gets the opportunity to do, will be great in the long run.
Realistically, a couple other Sens could still make their respective Olympic squads. Lars Eller, Fabian Zetterlund, Mads Sogaard, and Leevi Merilainen. Denmark is in Group C with Team USA, and Eller and Sogaard could very well make that team. However, in the case of Eller, at 36, no one would blame him if he opts for the extra rest ahead of a hard playoff push. Also, Merilainen might be a bit young to overtake the very competitive Finnish goal, led by Juuse Saros.
Finally, Zetterlund would be directly connected to his start. It is still unknown if he is going to take a key, top-six offensive role in Ottawa. Alternatively, his game is also well suited for a depth role, since he is strong and fast. If he gets hot, and is playing the Tim Stutzle and Tkachuk on the top line, he would expect a call to arms for Team Sweden.
Main Photo Credit: Marc DesRosiers – Imagn Images
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