Zach Werenski leads Team USA into Olympic gold medal showdown with Canada
The U.S. men's ice hockey team will face Canada in the Olympic gold medal game at Milano Cortina 2026. Among the players, Columbus Blue Jackets defenceman Zach Werenski has already made history by becoming the first from his club to record three points in a single Olympic match. His performance has helped secure the Americans' place in the final.
Back in Columbus, the Blue Jackets roster reflects a mix of national pride, with only five U.S.-born players—including Werenski—compared to a dozen from Canada.
Zach Werenski has been a standout for Team USA in Italy. In five games, he has scored one goal and added four assists, placing him among the top-scoring defencemen of the tournament. His three primary assists in the semifinal victory over Slovakia set a new record for a Blue Jackets player at the Olympics.
If the U.S. wins the gold medal, Werenski will become the second Blue Jacket to achieve the feat, following Rick Nash. Regardless of the outcome, he is already guaranteed to be the third from the club to earn an Olympic medal.
Meanwhile, teammate Charlie Coyle will be cheering on the U.S. despite being outnumbered by Canadian-born players in the Blue Jackets' locker room. The team's roster includes two American players whose fathers were Canadian professionals, adding another layer to the rivalry.
Off the ice, the absence of Johnny Gaudreau—a longtime Team USA player—is felt. His family has travelled to Milan for the final, and his No. 13 jersey hangs in the U.S. locker room as a tribute. The Americans have won Olympic gold twice before, in 1960 against Canada and in 1980 with the legendary 'Miracle on Ice' victory over the Soviet Union.
The gold medal game will see Werenski and the U.S. team chase their third Olympic title. For the Blue Jackets, the match carries extra significance, as Werenski's success adds to the club's growing Olympic legacy. Win or lose, his performance has already cemented his place in the team's history.
