The U.S. men’s hockey team took home the gold medal after a stunning overtime win against rivals Canada, the first gold medal for U.S. men’s hockey since 1980.
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(by Mary Rose, Zeale) – After scoring the overtime winner, or “golden goal,” that ended a 46-year Olympic gold drought for the U.S. in men’s hockey, Jack Hughes made clear what the moment meant to him.
“I’m so proud to be American today,” Hughes said Feb. 22 after the 2-1 victory over Canada at the Milano-Cortina Winter Games.
The 24-year-old, who is also a forward for the National Hockey League’s (NHL) New Jersey Devils, sealed the gold medal game 1:41 into 3-on-3 overtime by snapping a wrist shot past the Canadian goaltender after U.S. defenseman Zach Werenski forced a turnover in Canada’s offensive zone.
As teammates in red, white, and blue poured off the bench, Hughes pounded his chest and pointed toward the crowd.
“This is all about our country right now. I love the USA. I love my teammates,” Hughes said in the postgame interview with NBC. “It’s unbelievable. The USA hockey brotherhood is so strong.”
He shook his head and repeated the sentiment. “I’m so proud to be American today. I’m so proud.”
Hughes shared the ice with his brother, fellow Olympian Quinn Hughes. Video clips circulating online show a young Jack Hughes saying it was his dream to one day play alongside his brother on the Olympic stage — a goal the two realized in Milan.
Quinn Hughes (L) and Jack Hughes (R) after winning gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy on February 22, 2026.
The victory marked the nation’s first Olympic men’s hockey gold medal since the “Miracle on Ice” team beat the Russians at Lake Placid in 1980. The Feb. 22 matchup was another tense chapter in the USA-Canada hockey rivalry, tied 1-1 after regulation before Hughes delivered the decisive strike.
“Unreal game by our team,” Hughes said, describing it as a “gutsy win.” “That’s American hockey right there. That’s a great Canadian team. But we’re USA. We’re so proud to be Americans. Tonight was all for the country.”
Hughes, missing multiple front teeth after taking a high stick earlier in the tournament, grinned through the gap as he addressed reporters.
“I’m lucky I’m from the best country in the world,” he said, adding with a smile that the U.S. has “great dentists there, too.”
He also reflected on the support from former U.S. players and Olympians who reached out during the tournament.
“So many ex-players, ex-Olympians, all the guys we looked up to reached out to us,” Hughes said. “Stuff that puts tears in your eyes because it means so much to them, and it means so much to us and the next batch of kids in the next 20 years. That’s why we do this. The USA hockey brotherhood is so strong. We’re proud we could do it for them. We’re proud we could do it for everyone back home.”
Later, Hughes shared on social media: “I love my country,” followed by two American flag emojis, and was recorded celebrating with his team in the locker room to Toby Keith’s 2002 record “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue.”
Hughes finished the tournament as Team USA’s top goal scorer, with four over six appearances in Milan. His brother, Minnesota Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes, logged an assist in the victory to push his total to a team-leading seven.
Team USA goalie Connor Hellebuyck totaled 41 saves. “He was our best player by a mile,” Hughes said of Hellebuyck. “Unbelievable game.”
Hellebuyck’s 95.65% save percentage was the best among Olympic goaltenders.
Connor Hellebuyck, considered one of the best goaltenders in the NHL.
Compiled from articles published at Zeale and UPI on Feb. 22, 2026. Reprinted here for educational purposes only. May not be reproduced on other websites without permission.
Questions
NOTE TO STUDENTS: Read the “Background” and watch the videos under “Resources” below before answering the questions.
1. What is a golden goal?
2. What is the significance of Team USA’s Olympic Gold?
3. Who is Jack Hughes?
4. What did Jack Hughes say after winning the Gold with Team USA?
5. What similar statements did Matthew Tkachuk and Connor Hellebuyck make about the win?
6. What is your reaction to these heartfelt expressions of love and pride for our country from the gold-medal-winning U.S. men’s hockey team?
Background
Matthew Tkachuk ranked second on the team with 6 assists and recorded a +5 rating across all six games, described winning the 2026 Olympic gold medal as one of the “greatest honors” of his life and said:
“You’re not playing for yourself, you’re playing for your country, you’re playing for the guys that have come before you, and for the generation that will be coming after that.”
Tkachuk called winning the Gold a dream come true and a way to “unite the whole country.” He praised Team USA’s effort, deemed the U.S. “the greatest country in the world,” and expressed pride in beating Canada.
Matthew Tkachuk, February 22, 2026.
Following the win, goaltender Connor Hellebuyck called the victory a “dream come true” and stated, “This gold is the nation’s goal — not just a Team USA goal, but the whole nation’s goal”. After making 41 saves against Canada, he added, “We’ve been wanting this for a long time.”
Read about all of the players at 2026 Olympic Winter Games U.S. Men’s Hockey Roster.
Resources
American Jack Hughes scores the winning goal, February 22, 2026:
Men’s Hockey team singing along with the National Anthem after winning the Gold, February 22, 2026:
“I’m so proud to be American today.” Jack Hughes, who scored the game-winning goal in overtime:
“I’m lucky I’m from the best country in the world! We have great dentists there too. They’re going to fix me right up!” – Jack Hughes:
Matthew and Brady Tkachuk right after they won gold “Hockey’s our game. It’s the United States of America’s game. It’s the greatest country in the world.”
American Pride – Team USA Men’s Hockey Gold Medal winners sing the National Anthem at a club in Miami following their arrival back in the U.S.
President Trump sent an Air Force Two plane to bring the team from Miami to DC for the SOTU. He President Trump welcomes the team to the Oval Office on Tuesday, Feb. 23
Daily “Answers” emails are provided for Daily News Articles, Tuesday’s World Events and Friday’s News Quiz.
