In 1980, it was Jim Craig. In 1996, it was Mike Richter. In 2026, it was Connor Hellebuyck playing the role of goaltender spoiler keying a U.S. victory over a favored opponent. Deciding the gold medal via 3-on-3 overtime feels silly, but it’s at least an improvement over the shootout (Peter Forsberg, 1994, and Czechs over Canada, 1998) and it provided the platform for Jack Hughes and Zach Werenski to take their heroic turn against the three top players in the world.
Like the Americans of Squaw Valley 1960 and Lake Placid 1980, they’ll always have a tale to tell their descendants about 2026. Compared to all the other athletes toiling away in obscure sports most of us only hear about every four years, Olympic hockey with NHLers is kind of a sideshow, a co-opted forum for what should basically be just a World Cup. But when the players get that into it, it’s fun to see them get their reward (or in Nathan MacKinnon’s case, heartbreak…those long faces, reminiscent of Gretzky, Lindros, Yzerman & Co. in 1996 when Canada was supposed to prove once and for all who owned the sport).
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I do feel bad for Bo Horvat though; all he did was everything asked of him, winning faceoffs so the superstars could get on the ice, even drawing a penalty late in regulation to erase Sam Bennett’s mistake and give Canada’s goldenboy power play a chance to win it all. They let him down though. I hope someday Bo will be proud of his medal and this experience, ‘cause the whole “gold or bust” entitlement approach is no way to go through life.
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But back to U.S. legends…I’m happiest for Brock Nelson and his family Olympic lineage. Remember when he was drafted and we heard bits and pieces about the Dave and Bill Christian connection? Remember how it wasn’t clear if he would make the NHL as a winger or a center, but then he just kept getting better and better? The stars aligned for him to become an Olympian and win gold, and share a special moment (and rare status) with his 88-year-old grandpa. [NHL]
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But remember, this Olympics wasn’t about Connor Hellebucyk standing on his head and the U.S. winning gold, it was about how Sidney Crosby selflessly sat out the final due to injury. He’s the real hero here. [NHL]
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The Americans had the spirit of Johnny Gaudreau (and his wife and kids) with them every step of the way. [NHL]
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Luke Hughes and other Devils back home were pretty jacked for Jack. [NHL]
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Viewing the pain from an entertaining (vs. pompous) Canadian perspective. [Pass it to Bulis]
This is an Islanders blog, though:
