What An Ignition

MILAN – It is often said that everything is larger in Texas, and Hannah Bilka, a native of Coppell, Texas, chose an impressive game to showcase her best performance of the 2026 Olympic Winter Games to date. 

Bilka netted two goals, leading the U.S. Olympic Women’s Ice Hockey Team to a 5-0 victory over Canada at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Tuesday night.

“It felt like everyone was contributing and playing well,” Bilka remarked. “It was great to score two, but I owe it to two fantastic passes from Murph.”

Bilka, who also found the net the previous night against Switzerland, extended the American lead to 2-0 with 2:24 left in the first period, thanks to a remarkable no-look pass from Abbey Murphy, who recorded the first of her game-high three assists. 

“KK (Caroline Harvey) set me up on the far side and it deflected off my skates. I glanced over my shoulder during the forecheck and just threw it,” Murphy explained. “I noticed Bilka coming in and let it go, knowing she would finish. She’s an exceptional player. Playing with anyone on this ice is amazing and makes it much easier. That was a great finish, really impressive.

Bilka was surprised that the puck was even directed her way.

“I honestly don’t know how she spotted me,” Bilka said. “It was an incredible play. I have no words. That’s just how she plays. She possesses such a high hockey IQ and can also score and create plays like that. She is truly a dual threat.”

Bilka’s second goal came with seven minutes left in the second period, a powerful shot into the top right corner following another assist from Murphy.

“She is a dynamic player,” John Wroblewski, head coach of the U.S. Olympic Women’s Ice Hockey Team, noted earlier in the week. “She brings energy. (Bilka’s) game has developed significantly in terms of forechecking, backchecking, and her off-puck play. She is a puck magnet, which is beneficial in transition situations.”

Bilka is the first woman from Texas to represent the United States in women’s ice hockey at the Olympics.

“It’s expanding rapidly,” Bilka stated. “More girls are participating every day, and more teams are forming. If they can see that I was a girl from Texas with the same aspirations and dreams as them, and I was able to achieve that, it would be wonderful if I could inspire other girls.”

Bilka has a significant support group from Texas in Milan, with approximately 50 to 60 friends and family members expected to attend at various times. Her mother, Patricia, father, Daniel, and sister, Stephanie, prefer to arrive at games early, sometimes up to three hours before the puck drops, even showing up for Bilka’s Olympic debut last week before the doors opened at Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena. 

They have been proudly sporting navy No. 23 Hannah Bilka USA apparel. 

“It’s incredible. I’m at a loss for words,” Patricia expressed before the United States’ 5-1 win over Czechia. “I am just so proud of her for representing her state and her country.”

Bilka began her journey into hockey at around 5 years old, inspired by her older brother, Anthony. 

“I always followed him to the rink and asked my parents to let me start playing,” Bilka recalled. “It’s amazing. They are the reason I’m here today. I couldn’t have done it without them, and it’s really special that they got to witness this moment.”

Bilka played with various local youth hockey teams across Texas, including the Dallas Ice Jets and HC Dallas, but she had a particular fondness for the Dallas Stars and American hockey legend Mike Modano.

“He was a legend for the Stars, and I remember watching him and how he brought so much success to the team,” Bilka said.  

Dan recalls when Hannah was 12 years old and coaches began to express high praise for his daughter. 

“There was a time early on when a coach said she was exceptional, but I didn’t know whether to believe it or not,” Dan said, still in disbelief. “As more coaches began to mention her talent, it became clear that something special was happening.”

Bilka eventually spent three seasons at Shattuck-St. Mary’s, winning a USA Hockey Girls 19U Tier I National Championship. The 5-foot-5 forward then played four seasons at Boston College before securing a national championship at Ohio State in 2024 as a graduate student. 

The 24-year-old is currently in her second season in the PWHL with the Seattle Torrent, tallying four goals and five assists in 14 games. She also holds a gold medal from the 2023 IIHF Women’s World Championship with the U.S. Women’s National Team.

Bilka has excelled in Milan since being paired on a line with Murphy and Taylor Heise during the Switzerland match, and Heise appreciates the energy Bilka brings, especially now that she is not competing against her in the PWHL.

During Heise’s post-event media session, she glanced at a television screen showing Bilka’s celebration after a goal against Canada earlier that evening. 

“She is a force to be reckoned with and also a very amusing person,” Heise remarked. “She brings a youthful energy to the group, and I just saw her right there – she is ecstatic and having fun. She can score, and when I have to face her and Seattle, it’s tough, but I’m glad to be playing alongside her now.”

The line’s speed was evident throughout the game. 

“Heise does an excellent job of utilizing her speed in the middle and making effective plays off the forecheck, so it’s really easy to play with those two,” Bilka noted.

It has been quite the journey for the Texan, to say the least.

Bilka hopes that if there is another child out there who doubts their ability to succeed in any sport due to their background, she can serve as a source of inspiration for them.

“If you have a dream of competing in the Olympics, you can achieve it,” Bilka stated. “Being from Texas, where women’s hockey is not prevalent, I hope to be someone they can look up to and believe that it is possible.”

Bilka and her teammates now shift their focus to the quarterfinals on Friday when the competition returns to Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena, where the U.S. will face the host nation Italy at 3:10 p.m. ET (USA Network | Peacock).

“We will concentrate on the next game; we haven’t secured anything yet. We are taking it one day at a time and focusing on recovery and the upcoming quarterfinal match.

“We need to concentrate on what we do best and maintain our momentum.”

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