While Team USA still basks in the glow of winning its first Olympic gold medal in men’s hockey since 1980, it might still be awhile before we know the full impact of their 2-1 overtime victory over Canada in the Olympic finals.
What the NHL — and hockey in general — might be hoping is for an uptick in interest in a sport that’s been buried as the 4th most popular professional sports league for what seems like time immemorial.
After a thrilling Golden Goal by 24-year-old New Jersey Devils star Jack Hughes and a bravura performance by Team USA goaltender and Winnipeg Jets star Connor Hellebuyck in the finals, that’s something that might actually happen.
From ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski: “Hellebuyck was the story of the gold medal game for Team USA. Jack Hughes was the story of the tournament for the Americans. He was maligned by critics for his play in the 4 Nations Face-Off, looking overwhelmed after shifting from center to wing. He started on the fourth line for Team USA, was arguably the team’s best forward in group play and earned a larger role in the elimination tournament. That he scored the golden goal was only appropriate.”
It also begs the question — how can fans keep watching the Team USA stars in their return to NHL play?
How to Follow Every Team USA Player in NHL
Here’s how to follow every member of Team USA’s men’s hockey team as they return to their respective NHL teams this month:
- Head Coach Mike Sullivan (New York Rangers)
- Defenseman Jackson Lacombe (Anaheim Ducks)
- Defenseman Zach Werenski (Columbus Blue Jackets)
- Defenseman Brock Faber (Minnesota Wild)
- Defenseman Noah Hanifin (Vegas Golden Knights)
- Defenseman Charlie McAvoy (Boston Bruins)
- Defenseman Quinn Hughes (Minnesota Wild)
- Defenseman Jacob Slavin (Carolina Hurricanes)
- Defenseman Jake Sanderson (Ottawa Senators)
- Forward Brady Tkachuk (Ottawa Senators)
- Forward Jake Eichel (Vegas Golden Knights)
- Forward J.T. Miller (New York Rangers)
- Forward Matt Boldy (Minnesota Wild)
- Forward Vincent Trocheck (New York Rangers)
- Forward Matthew Tkachuk (Florida Panthers)
- Forward Dylan Larkin (Detroit Red Wings)
- Forward Brock Nelson (Colorado Avalanche)
- Forward Auston Matthews (Toronto Maple Leafs)
- Forward Jake Guentzel (Tampa Bay Lightning)
- Forward Tage Thompson (Buffalo Sabres)
- Forward Kyle Connor (Winnipeg Jets)
- Forward Jack Hughes (New Jersey Devils)
- Forward Clayton Keller (Utah Mammoth)
- Goaltender Jeremy Swayman (Boston Bruins)
- Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg Jets)
- Goaltender Jake Oettinger (Dallas Stars)
NHL Took 2-Week Break for Winter Olympics
Team USA swept the gold medals in both men’s hockey and women’s hockey at the Winter Olympics in Italy, with both games decided in overtime and both games against Team Canada.
As exciting and fulfilling as it was for Team USA to win the gold medal, it’s going to be equally as exciting to see those same players return to their NHL teams after the league took a 2-week break for the Winter Olympics, with games on pause from February 46 until February 18.
Active NHL players began participating in the Winter Olympics beginning in 1998 and were in every Olympics until they skipped the 2018 and 2022 games but returned to play in 2026.
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