The 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics wrapped up in style with the closing ceremonies, capping off an exhilarating 16 days of top-tier winter sports. Among the standout moments was the intense gold medal hockey game between Canada and the USA-a classic that will be remembered for years.
Four Jets players took part in the Olympics, with one exiting in the quarter-finals and three making it to the finals. Only one took to the ice in the gold medal game, and what a game it was for him, earning MVP honors and leading his team to victory. As we gear up for the Jets' return to action in just three days, let’s dive into how our Jets fared on the Olympic stage.
Nino Niederreiter - Switzerland
Nino Niederreiter and Team Switzerland faced a heartbreaking 3-2 overtime loss to Finland in the quarter-finals. Switzerland had a promising start, jumping to a 2-0 lead, with Niederreiter netting the second goal-his lone point in five Olympic games. Despite the tough loss, Niederreiter expressed gratitude on social media, sharing his pride in representing Switzerland and cherishing his first Olympic goal.
Josh Morrissey - Canada
Josh Morrissey’s Olympic journey was unfortunately cut short. He was sidelined from the gold medal game after suffering an undisclosed lower-body injury during Canada’s opener against Czechia.
While Morrissey wasn’t officially ruled out for the tournament, there’s hope he’ll be ready to suit up for the Jets’ next game. He leaves the Olympics with a silver medal in hand.
Kyle Connor - USA
Kyle Connor’s Olympics didn’t go as planned. After participating in Team USA’s first two round-robin games, he was a “healthy scratch” for the rest of the tournament. Despite not making a mark on the scoresheet, Connor can still celebrate as he returns home with a gold medal.
Connor Hellebuyck - USA
Connor Hellebuyck was the Jets’ shining star at the Olympics. In the semi-finals against Slovakia, he delivered a solid performance with 22 saves on 24 shots.
But it was the gold medal game where Hellebuyck truly dazzled, making 41 saves on 42 shots, including several crucial stops that kept Team USA in contention. The game-winning goal came from Jack Hughes in overtime, with Hellebuyck even recording a secondary assist in the 2-1 victory-USA’s first gold in hockey since 1980.
Hellebuyck’s stellar play earned him accolades as the tournament’s best goaltender and a spot on the Olympic all-star team, as voted by the media. With a flawless 5-0-0 record, a remarkable 1.18 GAA, and a .956 SV%, Hellebuyck’s performance was nothing short of legendary.
As the Olympics conclude, the NHL season resumes on Wednesday, with the Jets taking on the Vancouver Canucks, followed by a matchup against the Anaheim Ducks. Keep it locked here at Jets Nation for all the latest updates, especially as the trade deadline approaches.