Led By Jack Hughes, Team USA Men’s Hockey Wins Gold For First Time Since 1980

It’s not a miracle, but it’ll do!

The United States has won the gold medal in men’s hockey for the first time since 1980 at the 2026 Winter Olympics. This is also the first time both the men’s and women’s teams took home gold at a single Olympics.

The U.S. got on the board first with a goal from Matt Boldy. Boldy was drafted with the No. 12 pick in the 2019 NHL Draft. He made his debut with the Minnesota Wild in 2021. 

Canada matched this goal in the second period with a goal from Cale Makar. Makar was drafted with the No. 4 pick in the 2017 NHL Draft by the Colorado Avalanche. He was named as the league’s top defenseman twice, in 2022 and 2025. 

Both teams went scoreless in the third period, which forced an overtime period. Team USA won in overtime after a goal from Jack Hughes. Hughes was the No. 1 overall pick by the New Jersey Devils in the 2019 NHL Draft. Hughes has made the NHL All-Star team three times, most recently in 2024.

Hughes is widely believed to be dating Canadian pop star Tate McRae. The two have been spotted together several times since November, 2025. Additionally, McRae has vocally supported U.S. hockey despite being from Canada. Regardless, neither has confirmed a relationship. 

The U.S. win is the culmination of a long-standing effort to increase hockey’s popularity in the country. In 2011, USA Hockey had over 100,000 kids sign up for 8-and-under leagues, which was a record for them. Many of the team’s top players were among the kids playing in eight-and-under leagues in 2011. 

The NHL season will resume on Feb. 25 with eight games.