The United States aims to rely on a “huge” edge before the 2026 Olympic Games, says Werenski
The United States hoped to strike gold at the Winter Olympic Games Milano Cortina 2026, and already seems to have one step ahead of the exploitation of a medal.
The defender of the Blue Jackets of Columbus, Zach Werenski, declared that he thought he had participated in the confrontation of the 4 nations in February – the first tournament of the best blow since the 2016 Hockey World Cup – will give the United States, in Canada, Sweden and Finland an advantage in Milano Cortina, where the LNH players will participate for the first time since Olympics 2014.
“I think it’s huge,” said Werenski. “I think the teams that played in there, the four teams that were there, probably have a slight advantage in this tournament because we just lived it.
“I know that the experience for me will certainly help me go ahead and … I hope to the Olympic Games if I am in the team, I think that the experience of 4 nations will only help me and my game.”
Werenski and Team USA will gladly take any advantage in the Male Olympic Tournament, starting with preliminary matches on February 11 and a golden date scheduled for February 22.
The last time the United States won gold at a better event, it was the 1996 Hockey World Cup. Bill Guerin, Managing Director of the USA team, was an attacker on the list at the time.
The United States came for the purpose of victory in the confrontation of the 4 nations, losing 3-2 in overtime against Canada during the championship match.
“These matches (in the 4 nations) were the higher level hockey that I have ever seen,” Guerin, GM from Minnesota Wild, in NHL.com. “What I saw … We always go back there. … They were not goals and aid and the points that the guys obtained. It was the way they played. It was (Edmonton Oilers Center Connor) McDavid VS (Vegas Golden Knights Center Jack) Eichel or (Pittsburgh Penguins Center) was incredible.
“This is the thing I have left in my mind and what will probably be at the Olympic Games.”
There will be an additional momentum on the side of the Americans.
They participated in the Olympic game after winning the IIHF 2025 world championship in Stockholm in May, the first gold of the event for the United States since 1933 – a period of 92 years.
“I think we have definitely grown,” said Werenski. “I thought the 4 nations were a step in the right direction for us. I thought that, of course, was a step in the right direction. There are a lot of good countries. It was our year.”
Werenski and the Boston Bruins goalkeeper Jeremy Swayman were the only members of the 4 -nations of the 4 Nations of Team USA to win gold at the 2025 Worlds.
The objective is to reproduce this result at the Olympic level; The United States won gold there twice, especially at the 1960 Squaw Valley Olympic Games and the 1980 Lake Placid Olympic Games, and won the money in 2002 and 2010 in competitions that also presented the NHL participation.
The gold medal of the worlds and the experience of the 4 nations means that the Americans feel good in their chances next February.
“I think we have all seen the level of play in this tournament (4 nations),” said Swayman. “We know what it takes now. This is the experience and the lessons that we have to use to go ahead and know that we must be better. We were there, of course, but that is not enough. This is something that really fascinates us, to move forward.
“The guys from this group who have this experience will make sure to do the work next time.”
