Team USA hockey members call out Team Canada and make bold claim ahead of 2026 Olympics in Milan, Italy
Photo credit: NHL.com
A few members of Team USA opened up on their rivalry against Canada ahead of the 2026 Olympic Games.
Team USA held its orientation camp ahead of the 2026 Olympics, inviting 44 players to what will turn into a 25-man roster in February.
In media availabilities, GM Bill Guerin, head coach Mike Sullivan, Jack Eichel, and Quinn Hughes opened up on how they'll approach the Olympics and how winning the gold medal is the only option.
Team USA Targets Gold Against Canada In 2026 Olympics After 4-Nations Loss
The United States lost to Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off, and even after beating them at the World Championships, the defeat still stings.
Here's what the team's general manager had to say about it:
"That was emotional. That was hard."
"We're doing things differently now, and the world championships are absolutely connected to this.
"The guys that played in [4 Nations] did a great job, but we have to go back to the drawing board and start over again. Guys have to be playing well.
They've got to be healthy. So it's really tough to say how much the roster is going to change. I don't know. We will see as time goes on, but having the two extra spots is huge."
"The world championships are huge. They might not be as popular in the United States, but in Europe, in Canada, it is, and it has to be important for us."
"We're doing things differently now, and the world championships are absolutely connected to this.
"The guys that played in [4 Nations] did a great job, but we have to go back to the drawing board and start over again. Guys have to be playing well.
They've got to be healthy. So it's really tough to say how much the roster is going to change. I don't know. We will see as time goes on, but having the two extra spots is huge."
"The world championships are huge. They might not be as popular in the United States, but in Europe, in Canada, it is, and it has to be important for us."
Head coach Mike Sullivan's comments reflected the pressure to win, and how well-equipped the country is to face Canada now:
"The stakes are extremely high; they've never been higher. These events give us the opportunity to say we feel like the United States is at the pinnacle of the sport. We feel like we are every bit as good, if not better, than any country that competes in this game. And these events give us the opportunity to prove it."
"Also, the expectation as an American is that we expect to win. We don't expect to participate. There's a difference. And I think that's what's changed."
"We always used to say Canada could put two teams on the ice to compete. Well now, we can put two teams out, too. We can put three teams and compete in these events. So I think that speaks volumes for the growth of the sport in the United States."
"Also, the expectation as an American is that we expect to win. We don't expect to participate. There's a difference. And I think that's what's changed."
"We always used to say Canada could put two teams on the ice to compete. Well now, we can put two teams out, too. We can put three teams and compete in these events. So I think that speaks volumes for the growth of the sport in the United States."
Jack Eichel also stated that anything outside of a gold medal would be disappointing:
"The expectation is to go to Milan and win the gold medal. I think anything short of that, it would be disappointing." - Jack Eichel
Quinn Hughes, who missed the 4-Nations due to an injury, talked about USA Hockey and how the development programs helped build depth:
"USA Hockey has put so much work in with their youth development programs, their national team development program, and I feel like they're starting to see dividends where we do have some really, really elite players and the best players in the world.
I feel like it's kind of gold or nothing, personally."
I feel like it's kind of gold or nothing, personally."
Who's your pick for taking gold?
Previously on HawksInsider
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 1 | 366 ANSWERS Team USA hockey members call out Team Canada and make bold claim ahead of 2026 Olympics in Milan, Italy Do you think Team USA will win the gold medal at the 2026 Olympics? | ||
| Yes | 100 | 27.3 % |
| No | 266 | 72.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
