American men’s hockey stars talk about American pride

Team USA men’s hockey gold medalists Dylan Larkin and Zach Werenski opened up about where their American pride came from as they celebrated their Olympic achievement.

Larkin and Werenski appeared on Pakinomist Channel’s “Fox & Friends” Tuesday morning, hours after celebrating their gold medal win against Canada across Miami. The two opened up about what it meant to them to represent the Stars and Stripes.

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“I think a lot of us played in 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 get drafted. We go through training. We’re not military by any means, but they put us through some training and they really instill some pride in you,” Larkin said. “Once you go through that, you take the jersey off … and every time you take it off, at least for me, I don’t know the next time I’m going to put it on.

“So every time I get a chance to represent the United States, I put that jersey on, I’m all in. I love doing it and it’s just 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.”

Auston Matthews (34) of the United States, Zach Werenski (8) of the United States and Matthew Tkachuk (19) of the United States hold up John Gaudreau’s jersey after defeating Canada in the men’s ice hockey gold medal during the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at the Milan Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena, Feb. 22, 2012. (Amber Searls/Imagn Images)

Werenski was asked if playing in other countries made him more proud to be an American.

“I think you’re top notch. I remember my first World Cup with him was in Slovakia. I’ve been to Denmark, I’ve been to the Czech Republic (Republic) – they’re all great countries and you play in them and it’s a lot of fun. The Olympics were in Italy, which is an incredible country,” he said. “You’re reminded of how great America is when you come back here. And we love representing our country, we love wearing those colors.

“Like Dylan said, we learn about it from a young age. We get to live our dream because of the military — the people who serve, the first responders. It’s just an incredible country. It’s the best country in the world and we love wearing those colors and you definitely get an appreciation for that when you go overseas and play.”

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

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The U.S. men’s hockey team is expected to travel to Washington, DC, to attend President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address on Tuesday night.

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