The Winter Olympics often start with loud cheers from the crowd, but this time it was different. This year’s opening ceremony in Milan created a moment that drew much attention online, and it was because of the loud sound of boos, which was unusual.
One Hockey Hall of Famer shared his thoughts, adding a new angle to the story.
Dominik Hasek Raises Question After JD Vance Gets Booed During Milan Opening Ceremony
Vice President JD Vance attended the Winter Olympics opening ceremony in Milan, where parts of the crowd booed when his image appeared on the stadium screens. The moment happened during the Parade of Nations as the U.S. team entered, and cameras showed Vance and his wife waving American flags.
Reports also mentioned that before the booing incident, protests had taken place in Italy, the same day, against the U.S. immigration enforcement’s presence during the Games. Even with the ceremony’s celebratory setting, the reaction from the crowd became a major talking point.
Hockey Hall of Famer Dominik Hasek shared the video on X and added his opinion. He wrote, “Given his and his president’s attitudes and actions, the booing was nothing surprising. Has anything like this ever happened to an American politician at the official opening of the Games in Olympic history?”
Hasek’s remarks hold importance because he is one of the most recognized European goaltenders in NHL history after spending most of his career with the Buffalo Sabres and Detroit Red Wings. He won multiple Vezina Trophies and played in international tournaments for the Czech Republic.
Over the past couple of years, he has been quite vocal about the USA’s handling of the Russia-Ukraine war and the NHL allowing Russian players to play in the league.
Vance’s Olympic visit also included attending the U.S. women’s hockey team’s 5-1 preliminary win over Czechia. He was joined by his wife, daughter Mirabel, and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio at Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena.
The U.S. women’s team opened Olympic play with a 5-1 win, with Alex Carpenter scoring early and Hilary Knight, Hayley Scamurra, and Joy Dunne adding goals. Team USA controlled the puck for long stretches and built pressure through quick puck movement.
During the game, fans created a lively atmosphere with chants for Team USA throughout the arena. Before attending events, Vance met with several U.S. Olympians and told them, “The whole country – Democrat, Republican, Independent. We’re all rooting for you and cheering for you and know you are all going to make us proud.”
So, the 2026 Winter Olympics opening ceremony for Team USA ended with a strong win, after a controversial start.
