Team USA Men’s Hockey Olympics History: Every Finish as 2026 Squad Captures Gold Medal

The United States has done it. After 46 long years, Team USA's men's hockey team has captured the gold medal at the Winter Olympics.
Following three dominant wins over Latvia, Denmark, and Germany in the prelims, the U.S. ran through the playoffs with victories over Sweden, Slovakia, and Canada on their way to their first gold since 1980.
MORE: Team USA Takeaways: How United States Earned First Gold Medal Since 1980
On the topic, here’s a look back at Team USA’s hockey history at the Olympics, including their gold medal victories and how they’ve finished at each Games.
How many times has Team USA men’s hockey won the gold medal?

The United States men’s hockey team has now won three gold medals at the Winter Olympics. Their first came at the 1960 Games in Squaw Valley, the second was the famous “Miracle on Ice” team at the 1980 Games at Lake Placid, and the third came at the 2026 Games in Milan.
The 1960 team went a perfect 7–0 in the tournament and was guided by coach Jack Riley and captain Jack Kirrane. The 1980 team, meanwhile, was led by coach Herb Brooks and captain Mike Eruzione—a group that stunned the hockey world by defeating the Soviet Union 4–3 in the semifinals before clinching the gold medal with a win over Finland two days later.
Team USA has also won the silver medal eight times and bronze once.
Full list of Team USA men’s hockey finishes at the Winter Olympics

Here’s a complete look at where Team USA has finished in each Winter Olympics since 1920, along with their coach, team captain, and record at each Games.
Note: Gold medal victories are in bold.
Olympic Year, Host | Coach | Captain | Record | Finish/Medal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1920, Antwerp | Cornelius Fellowes, Roy Schooley | Joe McCormick | 3–1–0 | Silver |
1924, Chamonix | William S. Haddock | Irving Small | 4–1–0 | Silver |
1928, St. Moritz | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP |
1932, Lake Placid | Alfred Winsor | John Chase | 4–1–1 | Silver |
1936, Garmisch-Partenkirchen | Albert Prettyman | John Garrison | 5–2–1 | Bronze |
1948, St. Moritz | John Garrison | Goodwin Harding | 5–3–0 | 4th, DSQ |
1952, Oslo | Connie Pleban | Allen Van | 6–1–1 | Silver |
1956, Cortina d’Ampezzo | John Mariucci | Gene Campbell | 5–2–0 | Silver |
1960, Squaw Valley | Jack Riley | Jack Kirrane | 7–0–0 | Gold |
1964, Innsbruck | Eddie Jeremiah | Herb Brooks, Bill Reichart | 2–5–0 | 5th |
1968, Grenoble | Murray Williamson | Lou Nanne | 2–4–1 | 6th |
1972, Sapporo | Murray Williamson | Tim Sheehy | 4–2–0 | Silver |
1976, Innsbruck | Bob Johnson | John Taft | 3–3–0 | 5th |
1980, Lake Placid | Herb Brooks | Mike Eruzione | 6–0–1 | Gold |
1984, Sarajevo | Lou Vairo | Phil Verchota | 2–2–2 | 7th |
1988, Calgary | Dave Peterson | Brian Leetch | 3–3–0 | 7th |
1992, Albertville | Dave Peterson | Clark Donatelli | 5–2–1 | 4th |
1994, Lillehammer | Tim Taylor | Peter Laviolette | 1–4–3 | 8th |
1998, Nagano | Ron Wilson | Chris Chelios | 1–3–1 | 6th |
2002, Salt Lake City | Herb Brooks | Chris Chelios | 4–1–1 | Silver |
2006, Turin | Peter Laviolette | Chris Chelios | 1–4–1 | 8th |
2010, Vancouver | Ron Wilson | Jamie Langenbrunner | 5–1 | Silver |
2014, Sochi | Dan Bylsma | Zach Parise | 4–2 | 4th |
2018, Pyeongchang | Tony Granato | Brian Gionta | 2–3 | 7th |
2022, Beijing | David Quinn | Andy Miele | 3–1 | 5th |
2026, Milan-Cortina | Mike Sullivan | Auston Matthews | 6–0 | Gold |
More Winter Olympics on Sports Illustrated

Mike Kadlick is a contributor to the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. Before joining SI in November 2024, he covered the New England Patriots for WEEI sports radio in Boston and continues to do so for CLNS Media. He has a master's in public relations from Boston University. Kadlick is also an avid runner and a proud lover of all things pizza.
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