46 years to the day since The Miracle on Ice, Team USA captured its first Olympic gold medal since those legendary games in Lake Placid. This go around felt like destiny, a long-awaited matchup against rival Canada with NHL players on the ice for the first time since 2014. The Sunday morning finale saw the United States emerge triumphant in an overtime thriller 2-1 with four Michiganders on the ice. Jack Hughes buried the game-winner on an assist from Zach Werenski with fellow Michiganders Connor Hellebuyck and Dylan Larkin on the ice. For Team USA, Michigan reigned supreme in Milan.
Connor Hellebuyck
The story of the Gold Medal Game begins and ends with starting goaltender and Commerce, MI native Connor Hellebuyck. The Walled Lake Northern High School alum delivered one of the best performances of all-time against Canada, stopping 41 of 42 shots on goal. Hellebuyck, an NHL MVP and three-time Vezina Trophy winner, made save after save against the relentless Canadian attack. The play of the game came early in the third period when Hellebuyck reached his stick behind him to stop a shot on a wide-open net from defenseman Devon Toews. Hellebuyck posted a 95.6% save percentage in 5 Olympic starts, with none bigger than each of the 41 he made to earn a gold medal. He should have won tournament MVP over Connor McDavid, but notched honors for best goalkeeper to go with his gold medal.
The Hughes Brothers
The Gold Medal Game euphorically concluded with an overtime winner from Canton, MI native Jack Hughes. The goal, assisted by Grosse Pointe Woods, MI native Zach Werenski, went five-hole through Jordan Binnington and pandemonium ensued. The team streamed onto the ice, throwing helmets and sticks everywhere, and triumphantly mauling Hughes in front of the penalty box. The winning shift of three-on-three overtime saw Hellebuyck in net with three Michiganders on the ice- Hughes, Werenski, and Dylan Larkin. Nothing encapsulates the dominance of Michigan in these Olympic Games more than that.
The path to gold saw six Michigan natives represented on Team USA: Connor Hellebuyck, Dylan Larkin, Jack Hughes, Kyle Connor, Quinn Hughes, and Zach Werenski. While Connor Hellebuyck and Jack Hughes served as the heroes of the Gold Medal Game, the others played major roles on the road to get there.
Quinn Hughes, Jack’s brother and former Wolverine, scored the OT winner against Sweden in the quarterfinals. He waved off a line change from the bench before burying a wrist shot to beat Swedish goaltender Jacob Markstrom. The 2024 Norris Trophy winner for best NHL defenseman anchored the American defense throughout the tournament, recording the most ice time. He received recognition as the best defenseman in the tournament, a well-deserved honor.
Hughes’ value to Team USA is immense. In addition to being an outstanding defenseman, his puck handling, skating, and stick skills make him a weapon on the offensive side as well. He finished the Olympics with one goal and seven assists to lead the team with eight points.
Dylan Larkin
The most “Michigan Man” of the group, Dylan Larkin, emerged as a superstar as the tournament went on. The Red Wings captain and former Wolverine proved to be a leader amongst the team. He did not stand out in group play, but came on strong in all three elimination games. In the quarterfinal versus Sweden, he scored the opening goal of the game on a deflection in front of the goal. He opened the scoring against Slovakia in the semifinal, a 6-2 US victory.
Larkin led the entire Olympic tournament with a faceoff win percentage of 69.6. He won a faceoff and cleared the zone early in Canada’s five-on-three powerplay, a critical moment in the game. As with last year’s Four Nations tournament, Larkin proved to be one of the best players on a loaded American team. Even more than that, he served as a leader for this group. He did not wear a letter on his jersey, but perhaps nobody embodied the “brotherhood” mantra better than Larkin.
After the game, American players carried Johnny Gaudreau’s jersey around the ice. Gaudreau and his brother were tragically killed last year after being hit by a truck while riding their bikes. Larkin and Zach Werenski brought Gaudreau’s children onto the ice after the game to take part in the team photo. It was a touching moment and showed how good of a teammate, and person, Dylan Larkin is.
Zach Werenski & Kyle Connor
Zach Werenski hails from my hometown of Grosse Pointe Woods, MI. Another former Wolverine, he tallied six Olympic points, including the assist on Jack Hughes’ game-winner. He knocked Nathan McKinnon off the puck, looked up, and fired a pass to Hughes, who buried the game-winner. Werenski, one of the premier D-men in the NHL, spent the tournament on the third pairing. But, at the end of the day, he played the part of hero in overtime.
Kyle Connor, a Shelby Township native, only appeared in two games. The former Wolverine may not have made a significant impact during the 2026 Olympics, but he remains one of the best forwards in the NHL. He has 25 goals and 39 assists in 56 games this season for the Winnipeg Jets, and now has an Olympic gold medal.
US Women’s Team
The Women’s Team also captured gold with a 2-1 overtime victory over Canada. And, once again, the victory was led by a Michigander. Farmington Hills native Megan Keller netted the golden goal with a spectacular deke and drive to the net. The team flew off the bench in jubilation, swarming Keller in celebration of a thrilling victory. Keller, also an Olympian in 2018 and 2022, served as an assistant captain in Milan and finished tied for the team lead with nine points.
In a moment where American hockey is on top of the world, Michigan is at the forefront. The Mitten State dominated the 2026 Olympics, scoring the golden goals for the men’s and women’s teams. Three of the top four college hockey teams reside in Michigan. And, after a nine-year drought, captain Dylan Larkin has the Red Wings poised to return to the playoffs. In the world of hockey, Michigan reigns supreme.
