Michigan Players Deliver USA’s First Hockey Gold Since 1980

The United States is back on top of the hockey world, and it’s all thanks to Michigan.

Team USA defeated Canada 2 to 1 in overtime to win the Olympic gold medal in men’s hockey, marking the program’s first gold since 1980. It was the kind of game everyone expected between the sport’s two biggest powers.

And every American player on the ice for the golden goal, had Michigan ties.

After regulation goals from Matt Boldy for the U.S. and Cale Makar for Canada, and a series of big saves from both Connor Hellebuyck and Jordan Binnington, the game moved to overtime. That is when Jack Hughes took a pass from Zach Werenski and buried it past Binnington to give the United States the win.

Hughes, who scored the biggest goal in U.S. men’s hockey in decades, spent part of his development in Plymouth Township at the U.S. National Team Development Program. He attended Plymouth Canton Educational Park while skating for the USNTDP, sharpening his game in Michigan before becoming an NHL star.

The assist on the golden goal came from Werenski, who is from Grosse Pointe Woods and played for Detroit Belle Tire during his minor hockey days. He has long been one of the top defensemen to come out of the state, and he delivered in the biggest moment.

In net, Hellebuyck was outstanding. The Commerce native and Walled Lake Northern graduate stopped 40 shots and kept Canada at bay all night. Without him, there is no overtime and then there is no gold.

And on the ice for the winner was Dylan Larkin, the Waterford native who plays for the Detroit Red Wings and starred at the University of Michigan. Larkin had already scored a goal in each of the previous two games, and once again found himself in the middle of a defining moment.

When Hughes finished it in overtime, it was not just a win for Team USA. It was a showcase for Michigan hockey.

From youth programs to high school rinks to the USNTDP and college powerhouses, Michigan has long claimed to be the home of hockey talent. On Sunday, with the gold medal on the line against Canada, that claim had a pretty strong argument.

The United States waited decades to return to the top of the Olympic podium. When it finally happened, Michigan was at the center of it.