The United States achieved a historic first at the 2026 Winter Olympics by winning gold medals in both men's and women's hockey… in the same year.
We’re proud to point out several players with Pittsburgh connections were on both teams.
Vincent Trocheck is a Mt. Lebanon native who grew up playing the game here as a boy.
J.T. Miller is from East Palestine, Ohio and played youth hockey here when his family lived in Coraopolis. Both men play for the New York Rangers.
On the US women’s team, goaltender Ava McNaughton is from Seven Fields and played in the Pens Elite program.
Another goalie, Gwyneth Phillips, played hockey at Shady Side Academy.
Two more players, Laila Edwards and Hannah Bilka, played in the Pens Elite program as well
It wasn't long ago US players could not compete with Canadians. Few made it to professional hockey.
Now, the quality of youth hockey being played in the Pittsburgh area is impressive. Credit goes to Mario Lemieux and Sidney Crosby for generating interest in the sport and fostering its growth. The same men transformed the Penguins and won five Stanley Cups.
Today, Pittsburgh can take pride in the development of six players to win Olympic gold.