Lone Star Gold: How the Dallas Stars Fueled Team USA Win Over Canada

The Stars at night were big and bright in Milan, as Dallas’s favorite NHL icons powered Team USA to a historic 2-1 overtime victory against Canada. See the pictures in the gallery below!

The Texas Connection to Olympic Gold

For the first time since the Miracle on Ice U.S. Men’s Hockey Team won the gold in 1980, Team USA once again wins the gold in a 2-1 overtime win over Canada. The win was made possible by two team members with Texas ties: Jake Oettinger (Goaltender),  and Seth Jones (Defenseman). 

The Dallas Stars on Team USA 

Two of the three men with Texas times to Team USA are current members of the Dallas Stars Hockey Team. 

•  Seth Jones  was born in Arlington, Texas, but withdrew from the Olympics in January due to an upper-body injury. He was replaced on the roster by Jackson LaCombe. 

• Jake Oettinger (Goaltender): While born in Lakeville, Minnesota, "Otter" is the starting goalie for the Dallas Stars. He was instrumental in the U.S. run to the final. 

A Dallas Star on Team Canada 

• Thomas Harley (Defenseman): Although he played for Team Canada in the gold medal game (and took home the silver), he is a core member of the Dallas Stars defense. 

How Does 2026 Team USA Compare to the Miracle on Ice Team of 1980? 

The NCAA broke down the team according to where the players attended college: 

Minnesota (11): 

• 2026: Brock Faber, Jackson LaCombe. 

• 1980: Bill Baker, Neal Broten, Steve Christoff, Steve Janaszak, Rob McClanahan, Mike Ramsey, Buzz Schneider, Eric Strobel, Phil Verchota. 

Boston U. (9): 

• 2026: Jack Eichel, Clayton Keller, Charlie McAvoy, Jake Oettinger, Brady Tkachuk. 

• 1980: Jim Craig, Mike Eruzione, Jack O'Callahan, Dave Silk. 

Michigan (4): 

• 2026: Kyle Connor, Quinn Hughes, Dylan Larkin, Zach Werenski. 

North Dakota (3): 

• 2026: Brock Nelson, Jake Sanderson. 

• 1980: Dave Christian. 

Boston College (2): 

• 2026: Matt Boldy, Noah Hanifin. 

Bowling Green (2): 

• 1980: Ken Morrow, Mark Wells. 

Wisconsin (2): 

• 1980: Mark Johnson, Bob Suter. 

Minnesota Duluth (2): 

• 1980: John Harrington, Mark Pavelich. 

Colorado College: Jaccob Slavin (2026). 

Omaha: Jake Guentzel (2026). 

UConn: Tage Thompson (2026). 

UMass Lowell: Connor Hellebuyck (2026). 

University of Maine: Jeremy Swayman (2026).