2026 Bob Johnson Award Recipients Announced for U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – USA Hockey has announced that the 2026 U.S. Olympic Men’s and Women’s Ice Hockey Teams, along with the 2026 U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team, have been honored with the 2026 Bob Johnson Award. This accolade, named after the renowned U.S. coach Bob Johnson, is awarded annually to recognize outstanding achievement in international competition.

Team USA achieved a remarkable golden hat trick in Milan during the 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, becoming the first country to secure gold medals in both the women’s and men’s Olympic ice hockey tournaments, as well as in the Paralympic sled hockey event within the same year.

The Bob Johnson Award will be presented at the USA Hockey President’s Awards Dinner on Friday (June 5) in Denver.

U.S. Olympic Women’s Ice Hockey Team

The U.S. Olympic Women’s Ice Hockey Team secured gold in Milan, finishing with an unblemished record of 6-1-0-0 (W-OTW-OTL-L).

Trailing 1-0 with just over two minutes remaining in the gold medal match against Canada, Hilary Knight (Sun Valley, Idaho) redirected a point shot from Laila Edwards (Cleveland Heights, Ohio) to equalize and force overtime. Megan Keller (Farmington, Mich.) then scored a spectacular goal just 4:07 into the overtime period, putting the U.S. ahead.

Throughout the tournament, Team USA outscored its opponents 33-2 over seven games, achieving five shutouts on its path to gold.

2026 Annual Award Recipients

Caroline Harvey (Salem, N.H.) was honored as Tournament MVP and Best Defender, and was also selected for the Media All-Star team alongside Edwards and Hannah Bilka (Coppell, Texas).

U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team

After a gap of 43 years, the U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team clinched gold in Milan, concluding its campaign with an undefeated record of 4-2-0-0 (W-OTW-OTL-L).

With the score tied at 1-1 as overtime began in the gold medal match, Jack Hughes (Canton, Mich.) scored with a low shot from inside the circle just 1:41 into the extra period, igniting a flurry of excitement.

Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (Commerce, Mich.) delivered an outstanding performance, making 41 saves, including a crucial paddle stop on Devon Toews in the third period that preserved the tie and allowed the game to proceed to overtime.

Quinn Hughes (Canton, Mich.) was recognized as the tournament’s Best Defender, while Hellebuyck earned the title of Best Goaltender. Both players were also named to the Media All-Star Team.

U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team

The U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team achieved a historic fifth consecutive gold medal at the 2026 Paralympic Winter Games. The team dominated its opponents, outscoring them 46-6 during an undefeated run of 5-0-0-0 (W-OTW-OTL-L), culminating in a 6-2 victory over Canada in the gold medal match.

Jack Wallace (Franklin Lakes, N.J.) contributed four points, including a hat trick, in the tournament’s final game, leading the team to gold. Griffin LaMarre (Haverhill, Mass.) was a key player in goal, making 13 saves.

Declan Farmer (Tampa, Fla.) set new Paralympic single-tournament records for goals (15) and points (26), earning the title of tournament MVP in the process.

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