COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado (KNFL/KFGO/UND Athletics) – Former University of North Dakota men’s hockey standout and 16-year National Hockey League veteran T.J. Oshie has been named to the United States Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2026, as announced by USA Hockey on Thursday morning.
Oshie is joined by Amanda Kessel, Phil Kessel, Ryan Suter and Stan Wong as part of the class. It will mark the second straight year that a UND alum has been inducted, with Zach Parise earning the distinction in 2025.
“You don’t have to look far in our sport to find someone whose life was touched by one of these five,” said Mike Trimboli, president of USA Hockey. “Their extraordinary contributions will be felt for generations to come, and it is with great pride that we welcome them among the all-time greats of the sport in our country.”
Known for his talent, heart and grit, T.J. Oshie not only played a prominent role in helping the NHL’s Washington Capitals secure their first Stanley Cup in franchise history, but also authored a signature moment in Olympic history with his shootout heroics against Russia at the 2014 Games in Sochi, Russia — a performance that earned him the enduring nickname “T.J. Sochi.”
Over his 16-year NHL career, Oshie played in 1,010 regular-season games with both the St. Louis Blues and Capitals, recording 695 points (302G, 393A). He also helped his teams to the Stanley Cup playoffs 13 times, contributing 69 points (34G, 35A) in 106 career playoff games. Oshie began his NHL career in St. Louis before joining Washington in 2015.
During the 2017-18 season, Oshie posted 47 points, and 21 points (8G, 13A) in 24 playoff games, as the Capitals won the Stanley Cup — the first championship in franchise history. He recorded six seasons with more than 50 points, with a career-best 60 points (21G, 39A) coming in 2013-14 with the St. Louis Blues. A year before that Cup run, Oshie signed a contract extension to remain with Washington through the remainder of his career.
The Warroad, Minnesota, native was selected 24th overall by St. Louis in the 2005 NHL Entry Draft, making his NHL debut on October 10, 2008. Before turning pro, he laced up the skates for the USHL’s Sioux Falls Stampede in 2004-05, then spent three seasons at North Dakota (2005-08), tallying 142 points (59G, 83A) and helping the Fighting Sioux to three straight NCAA Men’s Frozen Four appearances.
On the international stage, Oshie donned the USA jersey on multiple occasions, including as a member of Team USA at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, where he converted four of six shootout attempts — including the deciding goal — in a memorable 3-2 preliminary-round win over host Russia. He finished with four points (1G, 3A) in six games as the U.S. advanced to the medal round and a fourth-place finish.
Oshie also represented the red, white and blue at three IIHF Men’s World Championships (2009, 2010, and 2013 — where the U.S. won bronze), as well as the 2006 IIHF World Junior Championship and 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
The U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Celebration, which will include the formal enshrinement of the Class of 2026 along with the presentation of the NHL’s Lester Patrick Trophy, will be held Monday, November 30, 2026, in Washington, D.C.
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