USA Hockey supporters owe a big "thank you" to Hockeytown and the entire State of Michigan after the men's and women's gold medal performances at the Olympics in Italy.
For many fans of hockey, the Olympics represent the sport’s highest level of prestige, where players compete for their countries and the chance to be crowned the best in the world for the next four years.
Michigan connections could be found all over the USA men's hockey team
Team USA's men defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime to claim Olympic gold for the first time since the 1980 Miracle on Ice.
Team USA's mens team featured six players who are from the state of Michigan, including Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin, Winnipeg Jets forward Kyle Connor and goalie Connor Hellebuyck, New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes, older brother and Minnesota Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes and Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski.
Not only are these six players from Michigan, but four of the six played their collegiate careers at the University of Michigan, showcasing the power that hockey holds in the state of Michigan.
Jack Hughes was the hero for USA, scoring 1:41 into overtime on a cross-ice pass from Werenski, while Hellebuyck watched from the net. The fourth player on the ice at the time of the goal, none other than Larkin, finished off the group of Michigan skaters.
Hellebuyck didn’t only pick up an assist, the Jets netminder turned aside 41-of-42 shots, including a save of the year candidate, reaching back with his paddle to stop Devon Toews from tapping the puck into a wide-open net to give Canada a lead at the time. If it wasn’t for Hellebuyck, this game looks a lot different as Canada outshot USA 42-to-28, to go along with more slot and high danger chances. For his efforts, Hellebuyck was named the Best Goalie of the tournament and to the tournament Media All-Star team, posting a record of 5-0-0 and only allowing more than one goal once.
The first goal scored by Matthew Boldy also had a Michigan connection, as Quinn Hughes picked up his eighth point of the tournament, good for the lead among all defenseman in Milano Cortina. Hughes, like Hellebuyck, also picked up many tournament honors, getting named Best Defenseman and to the Media All-Star team.
Larkin recorded three points at the Olympics, posting two goals and one assist, scoring in both the quarterfinals and semi-finals, cementing his spot in the USA lineup. Larkin also led all players with a 69.7% win rate in the faceoff circle. After a strong Four Nations last season, Larkin continued to show why he belongs among the NHL’s best.
Megan Keller scored the golden gold to give the USA women gold
It wasn’t just the men’s team that saw Michigan success. The women’s team also won gold by defeating Canada 2-1 in overtime. USA tied the game with 2:04 remaining on a goal by Hilary Knight, assisted by Laila Edwards and Michigan native Megan Keller.
Keller’s heroics weren’t done there, scoring just over four minutes into overtime on a solo effort that saw her deke around Canadian defenseman Claire Thompson before beating goalie Ann-Renée Desbiens to give USA gold.
While many fans know the power of Michigan hockey, the 2026 Winter Olympics put a spotlight on how great its players are, showing why the home state of the Red Wings is rightfully named Hockeytown.