Team USA GM Bill Guerin gave some insight into what he’s looking for when selecting the nation’s men’s hockey roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan in February.
“If you can’t check, it’s probably not the tournament for you,” Guerin told The Athletic last month.
Experts and fans started to speculate what that would mean for top Americans in the NHL known for skill over physicality. Stars forward Jason Robertson, who leads all Americans in goals (23) and points (44) this season, was one named in that conversation.
If there was any question whether Robertson could thrive in a physical game, the Stars’ last two have cleared that up — and his opponents have helped make his case.
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After Friday’s 8-3 win in Anaheim, Ducks forward Frank Vatrano was fined $5,000 — and somehow escaped a suspension — after tackling Robertson on the ice. Vatrano was given 16 minutes of penalties for the play, including a 10-minute misconduct that ended his night early.
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Frustration is setting in for the Ducks 😳
Frank Vatrano gets two minor penalties for roughing and unsportsmanlike conduct, as well as a 10-minute misconduct for going after Jason Robertson. pic.twitter.com/sTXDr9Sydu
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 20, 2025
Robertson finished with two goals and an assist in the win.
In Sunday’s 5-1 win over Toronto, Robertson again had to fight his way through. He put his team up 1-0 late in the first period, outmuscling Jake McCabe for a loose puck and scoring.
The Leafs did all they could to prevent him from scoring again, like midway through the second period when Mikko Rantanen found him open with a stretch pass on the power play, but Troy Stetcher dragged him down to the ice. On that same power play, Morgan Rielly cross-checked Robertson and shoved him down in front of an official.
Neither play resulted in a penalty.
“This is the way hockey has been going lately,” Robertson said. “I want to be stronger on my skates, definitely. It’s a physical game out there. It’s just the way the game’s going. I’m trying to win more and more puck battles.”
Robertson is on pace for a career-high 52 goals and is well above a point-per-game clip. He’s also recorded 24 hits this season, and while that number may not seem all that impressive, his coaches and teammates say they’ve seen a commitment to checking that Team USA can’t overlook.
“I think they should take a good look at him because he’s really committed to checking here in the last bit.” Stars coach Glen Gulutzan said. “Robo’s physicality comes in different ways. It’s in those battles. He’s hard to handle. He’s a big man.”
At this point, it would be shocking if Robertson didn’t make the Olympic roster, which must be submitted by Dec. 31, even after getting left off last year’s Team USA roster for the 4 Nations Face-Off. But his recent play has shown he’s ready to handle what is set to be a grueling tournament. If 4 Nations was any indicator, the players selected won’t take it easy. It may be one of the more competitive best-on-best tournaments in sports.
Robertson’s Stars teammate and possibly Team USA teammate Jake Oettinger also made his case again Sunday for why he’s one of the best American-born goalies in the league. He finished with 27 saves, robbing Team USA star Auston Matthews point-blank, and adding an assist on Mavrik Bourque’s empty-net goal.
Both Americans showed their versatility Sunday night.
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