US women’s ice hockey roster for 2026 Winter Games includes Pa. native Ava McNaughton

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Updated: 3:04 PM EST Jan 20, 2026

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Growing up in Seven Fields, Pennsylvania, Ava McNaughton, a goalie, began playing ice hockey at the age of 6 after watching the Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver 2010. According to her mom, McNaughton would volunteer to play goaltender whenever possible in youth hockey. McNaughton attended an elite girls’ hockey program at Bishop Kearney, a private school in Rochester, New York, for high school before heading to the University of Wisconsin, where she won a national title in her sophomore season.McNaughton’s 36 wins at Wisconsin during the 2024-25 season set the single-season record for a Badger goaltender. She was named to the U.S. women’s ice hockey team for the 2025 IIHF World Championship and made her debut for Team USA in a group play win over Switzerland. World championship experience Most recent: 2025- gold (Team- Women)Years of participation: Team- Women 2025)Medals: 1 gold Gold- 2025 (Team- Women)Career highlights World Championship under 18, 2022 (Team- Women)

Growing up in Seven Fields, Pennsylvania, Ava McNaughton, a goalie, began playing ice hockey at the age of 6 after watching the Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver 2010.

According to her mom, McNaughton would volunteer to play goaltender whenever possible in youth hockey.

McNaughton attended an elite girls’ hockey program at Bishop Kearney, a private school in Rochester, New York, for high school before heading to the University of Wisconsin, where she won a national title in her sophomore season.

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - MARCH 23: Ava McNaughton #30 of the Wisconsin Badgers poses with the trophy after winning the Division I Women's Ice Hockey Championship game against the Ohio State Buckeyes held at Ridder Arena on March 23, 2025 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Carlos Gonzalez/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)

Hearst OwnedCarlos Gonzalez

McNaughton’s 36 wins at Wisconsin during the 2024-25 season set the single-season record for a Badger goaltender.

She was named to the U.S. women’s ice hockey team for the 2025 IIHF World Championship and made her debut for Team USA in a group play win over Switzerland.

World championship experience
Most recent: 2025- gold (Team- Women)Years of participation: Team- Women 2025)Medals: 1 gold Career highlights World Championship under 18, 2022 (Team- Women)