US men’s hockey stars reflect on American pride after bringing home Olympic gold

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The U.S.men’s hockey team made history with its 2-1 overtimewin over Team Canadaat the Milan Cortina Olympics in the gold medal game Sunday.

Jack Hughes hit the golden goal to deliver the U.S.its first men’s hockey gold medal since the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” team.

“We deserve it,’s“Special Report”about the whirlwind celebration he and his teammates have experienced in recent days.

“We really pride ourselves on being true Americans that would doing anything it takes for this country and to win.And I’m so proud of the guys, and I’m so proud to be able to compete with them.”

Brady and Matthew Tkachuk celebrate the gold medal win

Brady Tkachuk (7) and Matthew Tkachuk (19) of the United States celebrate after their game against Team Canada during the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena Feb.22, 2026.(Geoff Burke/Imagn Images)

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“You never really dream of being in this position, but to share this with (Matthew), but also my 23 other brothers … wouldn’t change it for the world,” Brady Tkachuk said about the experience of playing alongside his brother Matthew in the gold medal game.

“To be able to represent this country and all (the) amazing people and millions of Americans that were back home, we felt their love.We felt their support.”

Team USA goaltender and Winnipeg Jets star Connor Hellebuyck discussed his transition back to Canada forNHL competition.

“Mentally, this is going to be hard to get back in it.I need at least 24 hours to wrap my brain around this because this has been not only the most fun experience of my life, but you just see the pride in this country,” Hellebuyck said.

Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck of theUnited States celebrates winning the gold medal during the men’s gold medal game against Canada at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games Feb.22, 2026, in Milan, Italy.(Andrea Branca/Eurasia Sport Images)

“It’s bigger than the game of hockey.….I know my city loves me in Winnepeg, and I’m really looking forward to trying to bring some joy back to that city as well and hopefully chasing a (Stanley) Cup.”

Canada has historically been the most dominant Olympic hockey team in history, with a world-best nine gold medals.Sunday’s win also avenged a loss to Canada in the NHL’s 4 Nations Face Off exhibition last year.

“The second the boots hit the ground back here in the U.S., we could feel how many millions of people were tuning in, supporting us and just loving how we represent,” Matthew added of the outpouring.“We were kind of America’s Team there for a bit, and we could feel it across the Atlantic (Ocean).We just appreciate everybody’s support.It was truly amazing just to represent the greatest country in the world at that stage.”

The United States celebrates after winning the men’s ice hockey gold medal game during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena.(James Lang/Imagn Images)

“I think a lot of us played at the U.S.National Team Development Program.… When we were there, you get to put the jersey on every day for two years before you’re drafted.We go through training.We’re not military by any means, but they put us through some training, and they really instill in you some pride,” Larkin said.“Once you go through that, you take the jersey off.… And every time you take it off, for me at least, I don’t know the next time I’m going to put it on.

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“So, every time I get the chance to represent the United States of America, I put that jersey on, I’m all in.I love doing it, and it’s just something special.I could go on all day about how great our country is.Just being home and seeing our friends and family, it’s just special.”

Trump invited the U.S.men’s Olympic hockey team to Tuesday night’sState of the Union address.

� Jackson Thompson contributed to this report.

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