Wolf eyes U.S. roster spot in Olympics, playoff berth with Flames

HENDERSON, Nev. – Dustin Wolf isn’t writing off playing for the United States at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 just yet.

Yes, the Calgary Flames goalie knows that the odds are long, but he has defied them throughout his career.

Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets is the incumbent for Team USA after a strong showing at the 4 Nations Face-Off in February, when the Americans lost the championship game 3-2 in overtime to Canada in Boston. Jake Oettinger of the Dallas Stars was the backup and Jeremy Swayman of the Boston Bruins was the No. 3.

Each of those three goalies attended the United States Men's Olympic Orientation Camp in Plymouth, Michigan, on Aug. 26-27. They were also joined by Joey Daccord of the Seattle Kraken, who with Swayman helped the Americans win the goal medal at the 2025 IIHF World Championship in May.

“Would I have loved to go to the orientation camp? Sure, that’s the first step in going to the Olympics, but it's not the end of the world,” Wolf said at the NHL/NHLPA North American Player Media Tour on Monday. “I got to spend another week training, getting ready for the season.”

There was no room at orientation camp for Wolf despite the 24-year-old arguably being the best young American goalie in the NHL.

As a rookie last season, Wolf started 53 games and went 29-16-8 with a 2.64 goals-against average and .910 save percentage, which was second among U.S.-born goalies (minimum 40 games) to Hellebuyck, who won the Vezina Trophy voted as the League’s best goalie and the Hart Trophy as its most valuable player. Wolf was a finalist for the Calder Trophy, given annually to the NHL's top rookie, which ultimately went to Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson.

It’s not the first time Wolf has been overlooked in his young career, but he hopes it will be the last. He was selected in the seventh round (No. 214) of the 2019 NHL Draft because of concerns about his 6-foot, 166-pound frame translating into the NHL.

Yet, all he has done is succeed at the pro game. He dominated the American Hockey League, winning the best goalie award in back-to-back seasons (2022, 2023) and being named league MVP in 2023.

He was a member of the NHL All-Rookie Team last season.

“You go through a season and you play well and you feel comfortable about yourself, and there are times when you still get overlooked,” Wolf said. “It’s going to happen. It’s how my whole career has been, people overlook me. I’m going out there to help my team win as many games as they can. If you win games, people notice and they take you, so that’s the first step.”

The Flames finished with 96 points after going 41-27-14 last season, but they were beaten out for the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Western Conference by the St. Louis Blues (44-30-8), who also had 96 points but one more regulation win, the first tiebreaker.

This season, Wolf wants to be better. Yes, for Olympic consideration, but also for getting to the playoffs for the first time in his career.

On Tuesday, he signed a seven-year, $52.5 million contract with the Flames that begins next season. He could have become a restricted free agent July 1, 2026.

“I know the first two or three months are going to be critical when it comes to me,” said Wolf, who stayed in Calgary throughout the offseason to be better prepared for the 2025-26 season. “(U.S. management) are going to be watching, they are going to be evaluating and they are going to pick the best team available. If you are playing well and the team is playing well, that stuff is going to take care of itself.

“Obviously, I would love to be going and I hope I get an opportunity to go. In the meantime, I am focusing on having a good start to the season.”