MILAN – Haley Winn has made it a point to cherish certain “pinch me” moments as they occur.
On Monday night, Winn experienced one of those moments, and her expression conveyed her joy.
Winn was radiant when she was embraced by Caroline Harvey – a former prep school hockey teammate from Bishop Kearney – just six minutes into the U.S. Olympic Women’s Ice Hockey Team’s 5-0 victory over Switzerland after netting her first Olympic goal.
Winn redirected a cross pass from Harvey into the top right corner, and moments later, her prep school companion from six years prior was wrapping her in a big hug alongside captain Hilary Knight in the corner at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena.
“It was obviously fantastic and fortunate to contribute to the team in any way I can, but getting the first one is special, and we have such an exceptional group, so I’m eager to see how the rest of the tournament unfolds,” Winn stated. “(Harvey) made an incredible pass. I was just hoping it would reach me.”
Winn’s Olympic journey commenced at the age of three, chasing her three older brothers around the family’s backyard rink in Rochester, New York.
“We started playing there, and I never looked back,” Winn remarked last fall. “All three of my brothers played at the collegiate level and loved it, and I wanted to follow in their footsteps and obviously fell in love with the game.
“It was easy to keep striving for it every day because I enjoyed it so much.”
Winn eventually played prep school hockey at Bishop Kearney, where she and Harvey developed both a defensive partnership and a friendship.
<p“KK and I have spent many years playing together, so being able to compete alongside each other in our first Olympics is significant,” Winn noted. “We’ve been complementing each other well on the ice, and she’s an incredible player, making it easy to collaborate.”
Harvey added, “We go way back to our prep school days. There’s great chemistry on and off the ice, and I know where she’ll be. She finds those openings so well. She’s very intelligent, making it enjoyable to play with her.”
Winn played at Clarkson University, concluding her career as a first-team All-American. She was chosen in the first round (second overall pick) of the 2025 PWHL Draft by the Boston Fleet.
“Being part of a professional league and pursuing this as a career is incredible,” Winn expressed in the fall. “I was crossing the border once, and they asked, ‘What do you do for a living?’ I replied, ‘I’m a professional hockey player.’
“Saying that leaves you speechless.”
Being an Olympian is equally awe-inspiring, and Winn is ensuring she relishes the experience as she and her teammates advance toward the nation’s first gold medal since 2018. The U.S. has secured victories in its first three preliminary round games by a combined score of 15-1.
“The Olympics is the pinnacle of the sports world,” Winn stated. “So, being able to take a moment to reflect on how incredible this is, not taking it for granted, and enjoying every step is essential. You definitely pinch yourself.”
However, that is often easier said than done.
“It’s definitely challenging to do when you’re in the moment,” Winn acknowledged. “The Opening Ceremonies were really special to experience with the group, and that was a moment of awe. Each game, I try to be present and absorb every experience. This is a truly special group, and we’re excited to move forward.”
Winn and Harvey have formed a solid defensive pairing throughout the United States’ first three games in Milan. Winn holds a plus-six rating, while Harvey recorded her first Olympic goal and two assists in the win over Switzerland, consistently driving to the net to create offensive chances.
Harvey also leads the team with a plus-seven rating.
The University of Wisconsin standout’s four points are tied with teammate Megan Keller for the most points among defenders at the 2026 Winter Olympics thus far.
“I really enjoy skating,” Harvey remarked. “When I get the puck first, I focus on moving my feet. My teammates are fantastic, very smart at getting open and passing the puck. So it’s a lot of fun.”
John Wroblewski, head coach of the U.S. Women’s National Team, described Harvey as a game-changer.
“The number of times she drove was remarkable,” said John Wroblewski. “I appreciate the initiative she takes. She’s a high-event player, creating more positive outcomes than negative ones. In a game, you can choose to play it safe or take risks. You need someone who can change the game, and she possesses that ability.
“She should be prominent on the scoresheet, and tonight she was rewarded a couple of times.”
Looking ahead, the pairing will certainly be relied upon on Tuesday night when the United States faces Canada in preliminary round action at 2:10 p.m. ET (USA Network | Peacock).
“It’s going to be an intense matchup,” Harvey stated. “One you won’t want to miss, and I know it’s a back-to-back, which is tough, but we’ll be prepared, and it’s going to be a relentless effort from our group.”
