The United States’ hockey stint at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina ended cinematically, with the men’s and women’s hockey teams earning gold medals, leaving Team Canada with silver on both occasions. The men’s hockey team’s gold medal finish was the first one since 1980, and while the joy of pulling off this extraordinary win has not entirely subsided yet, chatter around the 2030 USA Men’s Hockey roster has already begun.
Matthew Tkachuk’s 2030 Team USA Spot Already Under Threat
The gold medal game showdown between the United States and Canada followed a tantalizing series of preliminary and playoff games that kept viewers on the edge of their seats. Still, it all peaked during the last game when the cross-border rivals met for the first time on the Olympic stage.
Team Canada, armed with some of the best offensive talents of the NHL, put up a ferocious fight despite playing without Captain Sidney Crosby, but their efforts ultimately fell short as the United States had the last laugh. Jack Hughes’ golden goal sealed the deal for Team USA and put him on Greg Wyshynski’s list of 2030 U.S. Men’s Olympic Hockey Team roster locks.
Wyshynski also believes that Matthew Tkachuk will repeat his Milan-Cortina appearance in the 2030 French Alps Winter Olympics, but Judd Zulgad is not on the same boat. According to Zulgad, Tkachuk, who is currently 28 and will be 32 in 2030, will be well past his prime and not a worthy addition to the roster. However, the veteran reporter believes Brady Tkachuk could still prove an asset for the United States at the 2030 Winter Olympics.
“Matt Tkachuk will be about 32 and he’s already beat to hell. Not sure he’s on the team. Brady still makes sense,” Zulgad opined on social media.
Among other players to feature on Wyshynski’s list of 2030 Winter Olympics roster locks for Team USA are Quinn Hughes, Charlie McAvoy, Zach Werenski, Jack Eichel, Auston Matthews, Dylan Larkin, and Tage Thompson.
The United States Men’s hockey team progressively got better as the tournament unfolded. At the final game, Matthews and company were thoroughly aware of the massive offensive threat posed by players like Connor McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon, and Macklin Celebrini. Team USA showed up in its entirety to contain them, with goaltender Connor Hellebuyck playing a pivotal role in the team’s win.
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“This is some of the best moments I’ve ever felt. Like Jack said, they took it to us for a little bit. We’re not winning that game if it’s not for Heli (Connor Hellebuyck). He played outstanding, and you got a superstar that just finishes it off,” Brady Tkachuk said in the aftermath of the game, as reported by Michael Dominski of The Athletic.
Amid the ecstasy of the United States’ theatrical win, one cannot help but think of Crosby’s unfulfilled aspirations of a third Olympic gold medal. Despite the tough defeat, Team Canada was undoubtedly exemplary from start to finish in Italy, as evidenced by a particularly close final match.
