The future is bright for Olympic gold medal winning U.S. women's hockey - ESPN
ESPN
by Emily KaplanFebruary 20, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The U.S. women's Olympic hockey team has made history by dominating the 2026 Olympics with an undefeated record of 7-0 and a commanding 33-2 goal differential, securing gold. Players and experts alike have praised the team as one of the most dominant in history, with Hall-of-Famer Meghan Duggan calling it "the best" she's ever seen. The team's success is driven by its exceptional depth, with ten players registering at least five points—a number six higher than any other country. This achievement marks a significant shift in the rivalry between the U.S. and Canada, traditionally two of the sport's powerhouse nations.
The U.S. team's dominance extends beyond just this Olympics. Since women's hockey was introduced to the Olympics in 1998, North American teams have dominated, winning every gold and silver medal. While Canada has historically held an edge in wins, the U.S. has outscored them by a narrow margin of two goals across all tournaments. This year, however, the U.S. showcased its strength with a mix of veteran leadership and rising stars, such as Leila Edwards and Caroline Harvey, who are part of one of the most talented draft classes in professional women's hockey history.
The team's future looks even brighter, with young players like Laila Edwards, Caroline Harvey, and Tessa
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Originally published on ESPN on 2/20/2026