MLB's stars chime in after USA hockey nabs gold at Winter Olympics

In one of the most thrilling gold-medal hockey games ever played, Team USA defeated Canada in a 2-1 overtime win on Sunday, courtesy of the New Jersey Devils’ Jack Hughes.

The aftermath of USA’s victory -- the country’s first Olympic gold medal in men’s hockey since the “Miracle on Ice” team in 1980 -- brought reactions from many across Major League Baseball.

“It’s pretty cool. It’s what we’re walking into,” said Pirates’ right-hander Paul Skenes, who is a member of Team USA’s 2026 World Baseball Classic squad. “I watched the movie ‘Miracle,’ and I’ve watched the Olympics and the 2017 WBC when Team USA won. And I’ve also gotten the chance to play for Team USA a couple times. We haven’t won the gold yet. It’s not a good feeling to go to another country and lose to them. We’re looking to change that.”

Feelings were more split for members of the Toronto Blue Jays. USA-born George Springer wore his Team USA jersey and hat all morning and took at-bats against Kevin Gausman. Ernie Clement, another member of Team USA’s WBC squad, shared in the celebration with Springer and is considered one of the team's hockey guys. Manager John Schneider had different thoughts.

“I’m an honorary Canadian. I want them to win, not the U.S. I said it,” Schneider said earlier in Spring Training. “I don’t like U.S. hockey. I think Canada has the best hockey in the world, so I want Canada to win the Olympics. I said it. I’m sorry.”

The Brewers’ Sal Frelick and Tyler Black also chimed in on the thrilling USA win.

“I mean, that was just an unbelievable game. So sick. Shoutout to [Team USA forward] Matt Boldy. Massachusetts and B.C. guy,” said Frelick, who grew up in Boston and attended Boston College like Boldy.

There were plenty of other responses across MLB.

• The Minnesota Twins showed some love for Boldy, the star forward who plays for the Minnesota Wild.
• The Detroit Tigers shouted out Hughes, who graduated from high school in Canton, Mich., while playing for the USA Hockey National Team Development Program.
• Bryce Harper rocked a Stars and Stripes bandana for today’s Phillies’ Grapefruit League game against the Pirates.
• The Phillies showed the end of the game on their scoreboard in Clearwater, Fla.
• Royals’ superstar shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. wore a USA onesie to the complex this morning and ran through the clubhouse waving it after USA won.
• 2025 Hall of Fame inductee CC Sabathia posted about the love shown to Johnny Gaudreau, a previous member of Team USA who tragically passed away in August 2024.

And will we see USA and Canada face off in the World Baseball Classic? It won't happen in Pool Play (Canada is in Pool A; USA is in Pool B), but if both teams advance ... time will tell.