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The U.S. men’s hockey team made history with its 2-1 overtime victory over Team Canada at the Milan Cortina Olympics in the gold medal game on Sunday.
Jack Hughes scored the golden goal to give the United States its first gold medal in men’s hockey since the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” team.
“We deserve it,” Matthew Tkachuk said in an exclusive interview on PK Press Club Channel’s “Special Report” about the whirlwind celebration he and his teammates 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 be able to compete with them.”
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Brady Tkachuk (7) of Team USA and Matthew Tkachuk (19) of Team USA celebrate after their game against Team Canada during the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at the Milan Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 22, 2026. (Geoff Burke/Imagn Images)
The US team spoke with PK Press Club shortly after visiting President Donald Trump at the White House.
“We never really dreamed of being in this position, but sharing that (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 who were 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 difficult to get back into it. I need at least 24 hours to understand all of this because not only has this been the most fun experience of my life, but you see the pride in this country,” Hellebuyck said.
Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck of the United States celebrates winning the gold medal during the men’s ice hockey gold medal match between Canada and the United States on day sixteen of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Andrea Branca/Eurasia Sport Images)
“It’s bigger than hockey…I know my town loves me, Winnepeg, and I’m really looking forward to trying to bring some joy back to this town too and hopefully winning the (Stanley) Cup.”
Canada has consistently been the most dominant Olympic hockey team in history, winning nine gold medals, a world record. Sunday’s victory also avenged a loss to Canada in last year’s NHL Four Nations showdown.
“The second the boots hit the ground here in the United States, we could feel how many millions of people were listening and supporting us and just loving the way we represent,” Matthew added of the outpouring. “We were kind of Team USA there for a while, and we could feel it from across the Atlantic (Ocean). We just appreciate everyone’s support. It was really amazing to represent the greatest country in the world at that point.”
Dylan Larkin and Zach Werenski appeared on PK Press Club Channel’s “Fox & Friends” Tuesday morning, hours after celebrating their gold medal win against Canada in Miami. Both men spoke 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 game during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena. (James Lang/Imagn Images)
“I think a lot of us went through the U.S. national team development program… When we were there, you could put on the jersey every day for two years, before you got drafted. We go through training. We’re not military by any means, but they put us through training and they definitely give you a certain pride,” Larkin said. “Once you get 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 of America, I put this jersey on, I’m all in. I love doing it, and it’s just something special. I could talk all day about how great our country is. Just being home and seeing our friends and family, it’s just special.”
Trump invited the United States men’s Olympic hockey team to Tuesday night’s State of the Union address.
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