'So excited to be back:' USA men's hockey welcomed home after winning gold

Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald on Feb 23, 2026

Published in Olympics

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MIAMI — They walked into the international arrivals area of Miami International Airport on Monday afternoon in various Team USA gear — some in gray or blue hoodies or jackets, others in red T-shirts.

The one piece of their outfits in common: The gold medal draped out their necks.

Just more than 24 hours after winning those gold medals at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan with a thrilling 2-1 overtime win over Canada on Sunday, the United States men’s hockey team touched back down state-side, landing at Miami International Airport on Monday afternoon after a nearly 11-hour flight from Italy. The team was originally supposed to fly into the New York area, but plans changed due to the winter storm impacting impacting the northeast.

They are the first U.S. team to win gold at the Olympics in men’s hockey since the “Miracle on Ice” team defeated the Soviet Union in 1980.

“It’s been a whirlwind,” said Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk, who was an alternate captain for Team USA and contributed six assists in the team’s six games in Milan. “It’s been amazing. It’s a dream of ours. It’s such an amazing way to unite the country. We felt the support being across the Atlantic and now being back on home soil. We could feel it the second the wheels hit the ground. So, so excited to be back in the greatest country in the world, and so excited to celebrate.”

The chartered plane was greeted with a water salute as it taxied into its gate. Miami-Dade County mayor Daniella Levine Cava greeted the team as it disembarked. After the team cleared customs, a crowd of fans was waiting to celebrate and give congratulations.

“They are just on Cloud 9, but they’re also exhausted,” Levine Cava said at the airport. “Very, very happy to be home, and, of course, so thrilled.”

Thrilled, yes.

But has the moment sunk in yet?

“Honestly, not really,” Team USA captain and Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews said. “It’s surreal. I mean, I don’t think we really realized the magnitude of just everything that was going to happen just because you’re in it. You’re living right in it. Getting back here, seeing all the support from back home, it’s just incredible what this team was able to accomplish and represent the U.S. Obviously, it’s an honor, so we’re ecstatic.”

And while the players have little time to continue their celebration — the NHL resumes its season Wednesday and the Florida Panthers play their first game at 7 p.m. ET Thursday against the Maple Leafs at Amerant Bank Arena — they took advantage of what time they do have in Miami.

Players who aren’t immediately flying back to their respective teams were set to have a team dinner at Cote Korean steakhouse in Miami’s Design District followed by a trip to Miami nightclub E11even — a staple on the Panthers’ Stanley Cup celebration tour each of the past two summers.

Some players, including the Panthers’ Tkachuk, will be heading to Washington, on Tuesday to meet with President Donald Trump, who invited the team to the White House following the gold medal win.

Tkachuk said it was “super cool” and “an honor” to hear from Trump after the game.

“Hearing that he was supporting us and all the other athletes and wanting us all to bring home as many gold medals we can,” Tkachuk said. “We’re definitely honored to represent him and the hundreds of millions across the country and bringing a gold medal back again.”

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