Before leaving for Italy, Zach Werenski said that the significance of representing Team USA at the Olympic Games had not fully registered with him. That changed on Friday when he walked into San Siro Stadium for the Opening Ceremonies of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
Werenski, a defenseman for the Columbus Blue Jackets, has played in several international tournaments before. However, he described wearing Team USA colors at the Olympics as a unique experience. “It was probably more special than I thought it was gonna be,” Werenski told reporters in Milan. “I think when you walk through that first ring there and you look up and see the (Olympic) rings, it’s kind of a ‘pinch me’ moment, to be honest. I don’t want to say you get emotional, but a lot of emotions run through your body.
“It was just an incredible night. I’m happy the four of us decided to do that, and it’s something I’ll never look back on and regret. I’m really happy about it.”
Since arriving in Italy, Werenski has attended Olympic events and spent time with his family before focusing on hockey. The United States is set to open tournament play against Latvia tomorrow, with the aim of winning gold.
In recent years, American hockey teams have seen success at various levels: they won consecutive World Junior Championships and ended a long drought by securing gold at the IIHF World Championships in May. This momentum has contributed to high expectations for this year’s Olympic team.
Werenski reflected on past Olympic moments: “You look back on all the Olympics and there’s memorable moments from each Olympics,” he said before leaving for Italy. “You go to ‘14 with Oshie and Bob, in ‘10 the Golden Goal. You look back on it, and now it’s just trying to create some of these memories for ourselves.”
His participation in this year’s Games is particularly meaningful given his recent career trajectory. After missing most of the 2022-23 season due to injury and playing for a struggling Blue Jackets team last year despite recording 57 points, Werenski returned as one of the league’s top defensemen. He finished second in Norris Trophy voting last season and entered this break with 20 goals and 62 points—both second among NHL defensemen.
His father Ken described how making Team USA became real after receiving confirmation from Zach: “We knew he wanted to make the Olympic team, and he got off to a good start this year and nobody wanted to talk about it,” Ken said. “No one wanted to jinx it… Then he called us right after he got the call, and it kind of hit me that, ‘Wow, I get to tell people that my son was in the Olympics.’”
About 20 members of Werenski’s family are attending the Games in Italy along with friends who received thank-you packages from him containing handwritten notes.
“They’re the reason I’m there, so it’s awesome for everyone to be going over there,” Werenski said regarding his supporters. “It’s an individual moment, I guess, but it’s not possible without a great support system. I’m really blessed and honored and excited and grateful. There’s so many words I could use for it, but it almost makes you emotional thinking about it.”
In previous tournaments abroad or during busy schedules, family attendance was sometimes difficult; however this time they made sure not to miss out.
Ken added: “It’s a little bit emotional for sure… Every year when his season ends Kristen and I are like ‘Well how can you top this year?’ He has certainly made the most of his career…”
An Olympic gold medal remains elusive for U.S men’s hockey since NHL players began participating again in 1998—the Americans lost gold medal games in both 2002 and 2010—but hopes are high given what many consider one of their strongest rosters ever assembled.
Werenski played an important role last spring when Team USA won its first World Championship title since 1933 by defeating Switzerland; he was named best defenseman at that event after scoring once with five assists over seven games while posting plus-9 rating.
He also led scoring at last year’s Four Nations Face-Off tournament where Team USA lost narrowly against Canada in overtime during finals—a core group from that roster returns now aiming higher together.
“It was a ton of fun being in that room,” Werenski recalled about Four Nations participation.”I think everyone just bought into doing whatever they can win… although we fell just short,I was really proud how we played…I think brought our group closer together,and I’m really looking forward getting around those guys again…being together …and doing it Olympics now.”
Werenski emphasized what representing his country means:”I think I’ve always appreciated wearing that jersey no matter what stage it’s at,whether it’s World Championships,the Four Nations,the World Juniors,growing up playing USNTDP.It’s definitely an honor whenever you can wear those colors,and feel like I’ve never taken granted especially on this stage.I feel like big as gets.I’m just really excited experience grateful opportunity.”
