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College Stars Aim for Olympic Gold in Italy
11 Feb
Summary
- Team USA's Olympic hockey roster features 20 players with college experience.
- None of the 20 college-experienced players have won a national championship.
- The U.S. last won Olympic hockey gold in 1980, the 'Miracle on Ice'.

The United States men's hockey team for the 2026 Winter Games in Italy boasts a roster of 25 players, with 20 having played at least one season of college hockey. Despite this significant collegiate background, none of the selected players have won a national championship, though three have played in the championship game and several have reached the Frozen Four.
This strong contingent of college-experienced players, many of whom will make their Olympic debut, aims to break a long drought for U.S. men's hockey gold, which dates back to the 1980 'Miracle on Ice.' The team's recent Olympic performance includes a fifth-place finish in 2022, highlighting the challenge ahead.
In other news, former college players are making impacts on the international stage. Hannah Bilka scored twice as the U.S. Women's Olympic team defeated Canada 5-0, with other college players contributing significantly. Hilary Knight tied a U.S. Olympic record for career points. Additionally, Josefin Bouveng's goal and assist helped Sweden eliminate Japan from the tournament, while Germany secured a win against Italy with a late goal from Laura Kluge.



