The Biggest Winners From The 2026 Olympics Hockey Tournament

Germany didn’t have the success that they had hoped for in Milan, but they did find a shining star who will headline their team for the next Olympic Games. Tim Stutzle went to Italy on a mission, scoring four goals and two assists in five games. At 24 years old, he was Germany’s best player besides Leon Draisaitl. German hockey fans have a lot to look forward to in the next handful of international tournaments. 

4. Juraj Slafkovsky

This wasn’t his first rodeo, but Juraj Slafkovsky lit it up for Slovakia at the Olympics. In six games, he registered four goals and four assists in six games and finished fourth in points at 21 years old. He’s great on the international stage. At the 2022 Olympic Games, Slafkovsky scored seven goals in seven games for the Slovaks. He has now stockpiled 11 goals and four assists in 13 career games at the tournament. 

3. Connor Hellebuyck

The United States new Secretary of Defense shocked everybody in Milan. Connor Hellebuyck was a stud, going 5-0 in his starts and registering a 1.18 goals against average, a .956 save percentage, leading the goaltenders at the tournament. He saved his best work for the gold medal game, where he shut the door on Canada, stopping 41 of 42 shots and robbing Devon Toews with the paddle on the potential game-winning goal. Hellebuyck finally showed up when the lights were bright, and it turned him into an American hero. 

2. Macklin Celebrini

Macklin Celebrini is putting together a fantastic year at 19 years old. Canada fell short of the gold medal, but they should be encouraged by Celebrini’s play. He led the tournament with five goals in six games, and he tacked on five assists for good measure. Celebrini enjoyed the fruits of playing on a line with Connor McDavid and Nathan MacKinnon, but the kid is incredible. It’s safe to assume he will wear the C on his jersey after Sidney Crosby and McDavid have retired. 

1. The Hughes Brothers

Out of all the inners from the 2026 Olympics, none of them stand out more than Jack and Quinn Hughes. Quinn scored one goal and seven assists, but the lone goal was the overtime winner against Sweden. He finished seventh in points in Milan. Jack registered four goals and three assists in six games, and he scored the biggest goal in American hockey history. He finished the tournament tied with Slafkovsky and MacKinnon in goals. Don’t let the nerds on X lie. The Hughes brothers left Milan as legends. 

End Of My Olympics Rant

Best on best hockey is unbeatable. The 2026 tournament proved that. It was thrilling for the duration of the games. Luca Raymond, Martin Necas, and Joel Armia could’ve made this list, but it was hard to take them over any of the players mentioned. It is four years away, but it is hard not be excited about what the 2030 tournament will bring, especially if Russia is back in the mix by then. It has the potential to be even better, if that is possible.