After the miracle in Milan, it’s time to party in the Magic City.
The U.S. Olympic men’s hockey team is set to celebrate its gold medal win with a big bash in Miami on Monday.
RAW: Matthew Tkachuk speaks at Miami International Airport after Team USA flew in to celebrate their Olympic gold medal in Milan.
Just a day after defeating Canada 2-1 in overtime in the gold medal game at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics, the team flew to Miami to continue the party that began after the game-winning puck hit the back of the net in Italy.
The team’s charter plane arrived at Miami International Airport Monday afternoon after it had to be re-routed away from New York due to the winter weather farther up the East Coast.
“Feeling great, a little tired, but feels good to be home and celebrating with the guys, out families, last night, it’s special, it means a lot,” Team USA captain Auston Matthews said after arriving at MIA.
NBC6
NBC6 A sign reading “Welcome Home – Congrats! Team USA Olympic Gold Medal” outside Miami International Airport on Feb. 23, 2026.
The players were expected to have a team dinner before taking in a bit of Miami nightlife.
E11even, which hosted the Florida Panthers after they won their back-to-back Stanley Cups, is set to host Team USA Monday night.
Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk helped lead the Stanley Cup celebrations in South Florida and is expected to show his USA teammates around Miami.
Team USA men’s hockey won its first gold medal in 46 years with a win over Canada in the gold medal match.
“It’s been a whirlwind, it’s been amazing. It’s a dream of ours, it was such an amazing way to unite the country,” Tkachuk told reporters at MIA. “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 excited to be back in the greatest country in the world and so excited to celebrate.”
Tkachuk was asked about how the Olympic gold compares to winning a Stanley Cup.
“It’s almost more meaningful to everybody else in the sense of it’s a way to unite the whole country. I think when you go through the two-month grind and the 82-game grind in the NHL, nothing will compare, that’s as hard of a trophy as you’re gonna win in sports, the Stanley Cup,” he said. “But when it comes to bringing together Americans whether they like hockey or not, the Olympics and Olympic hockey playing at that stage against Canada, that’s as high as it’s gonna get.”
Team USA hero Jack Hughes, who scored the overtime winner against Canada, said it’s still sinking in what they accomplished.
“It’s been long, like no sleep obviously, and then you know, we’re enjoying it with our family and friends,” he said. “Happy to be back in the U.S. now and we’re gonna enjoy this for a few days.”
He also vowed to fix the teeth that got smashed in the gold medal game.
“I want my good smile back,” Hughes said.
U.S. men’s hockey Olympic hero Jack Hughes says he will fix his teeth after losing them in the gold medal match against Canada.