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The US men’s hockey team made history with its 2-1 overtime victory over Team Canada at the Cortina Olympics in Milan in the gold medal game on Sunday.
Jack Hughes hit the golden goal to give the United States its first men’s hockey gold medal since the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” team.
“We deserve it,” Matthew Tkachuk said during an exclusive sitdown on Pakinomist Channel’s “Special Report” about the whirlwind celebration he and his teammates have experienced in recent days.
“We’re really proud to be true Americans who would do whatever it takes for this country and to win. And I’m so proud of the guys and I’m so proud to compete with them.”
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Brady Tkachuk (7) of Team United States and Matthew Tkachuk (19) of Team United celebrate after their match against Team Canada during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milan Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 22, 2026. (Geoff Burke/Imagn Images)
Team USA spoke to Pakinomist shortly after visiting President Donald Trump at the White House.
“You never really dream of being in this position, but to share this (Matthew), but also my 23 other brothers … wouldn’t change it for the world,” Brady Tkachuk said of 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 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 for NHL competition.
“Mentally, it’s going to be hard to get back into it. I need at least 24 hours to wrap my brain around this, because not only has this been the most fun experience of my life, but you just see the pride in this country,” Hellebuyck said.
Goalie Connor Hellebuyck of the United States celebrates winning the gold medal during the ice hockey men’s gold medal game between Canada and the United States on day sixteen of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at the Milan Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 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 here in the US, we could feel how many millions of people tuned in, supported us and just loved how we represent,” Matthew added of the outpouring. “We were kind of America’s Team there for a while and we could feel it across the Atlantic (Ocean). We just appreciate everyone’s support. It was really great just to represent the biggest country in the world at the time.”
Dylan Larkin and Zach Werenski appeared on Pakinomist Channel’s “Fox & Friends” Tuesday morning, hours after celebrating their gold medal win against Canada in Miami. The two opened up about what it meant to them to represent the Stars and Stripes.
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)
“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.”
Trump invited the US men’s Olympic hockey team to Tuesday night’s State of the Union address.
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