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This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

Defector

Tom Ley

Kash Patel watches the gold medal hockey game

Olympics

Kash Patel Thinks He’s On The Team

Ray Ratto

MILAN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 22: goalkeeper Connor Hellebuyck of United States celebrates winning the gold medal during the Ice Hockey Men's Gold Medal Game match between Canada and USA on day sixteen of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Andrea Branca/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)

Team USA Had The Golden Goalie

Lauren Theisen

Jack Hughes #86 of Team United States celebrates after their gold-medal win

Jack Hughes Sheds Blood And Teeth For His Country, U.S. Wins Olympic Gold

Maitreyi Anantharaman

Megan Keller #5 (R) of Team United States celebrates scoring a goal with teammates Hannah Bilka #23 (C) and Hilary Knight #21 (L) in the first period during the Women's Preliminary Round Group A match between the United States and Czechia on Day minus one of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena on February 05, 2026 in Milan, Italy.

Still Country For Old Women

MILAN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 19: Megan Keller #5 of Team United States celebrates with teammates after scoring the game-winning goal to win the gold medals in the overtime during the Women's Gold Medal match between the United States and Canada on day 13 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 19, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Team USA’s Gold Is Sweeter For The Struggle

Lesley Ryder is a writer and a host covering the Chicago Red Stars. She co-created <a href="https://galpalsports.com/">Gal Pal Sports</a>, a platform that lives to make women’s sports fun for everyone.

Lesley Ryder

Kendall Coyne #26 of Team United States controls the puck against in the second period during the Women's Playoffs Semifinal match between United States and Sweden on Day 10 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 16, 2026 in Milan, Italy.

All I Want Is A Women’s Hockey Broadcast That Talks About The Hockey

Laila Edwards #10 of Team United States celebrate her first goal with Hilary Knight #21 during the Women's Ice Hockey - Group A match between Team Canada and Team United States on day four of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 10, 2026 in Milan, Italy.

Team USA’s Speedy Children Delivered A Beatdown Of Canada

Barry Petchesky

MILAN, ITALY - DECEMBER 08: (EDITOR’S NOTE: Multiple exposures were combined in camera to produce this image.) Players competes during 2026 IIHF U20 World Championship Division Group B match between Poland and Italy at Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena on December 08, 2025 in Milan, Italy. The event serves as test event for the upcoming Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)

Here Are The American Hockey Men

Patrick Redford

PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 10: Stephen Curry (4) of Team USA in action during Men's Gold Medal game between Team France and Team United States on day fifteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on August 10, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Aytac Unal/Anadolu via Getty Images)

‘Court Of Gold’ Is Brilliant When It Gets Specific

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - FEBRUARY 20: Connor McDavid #97 of Team Canada reacts after scoring the game-winning goal during the first overtime period of the 4 Nations Face-Off Championship game between Team Canada and Team United States at TD Garden on February 20, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Ben Jackson/4NFO/World Cup of Hockey via Getty Images)

The Game Always Speaks For Itself

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - FEBRUARY 20: Connor McDavid #97 of Team Canada celebrates with teammates after scoring the game-winning goal during the first overtime period of the 4 Nations Face-Off Championship game between Team Canada and Team United States at TD Garden on February 20, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Ben Jackson/4NFO/World Cup of Hockey via Getty Images)

Hockey Remains Canada’s

MONTREAL, QUEBEC - FEBRUARY 13: (Top-Bottom) Charlie McAvoy #25, Jake Guentzel #59, Zach Werenski #8, Auston Matthews #34 and Jack Hughes #86 of Team United States stand at their blueline during the singing of the United Sates national anthem before the 4 Nations Face-Off game between the United States and Finland at Bell Centre on February 13, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec. (Photo by Vitor Munhoz/4NFO/World Cup of Hockey via Getty Images)

Please Stop Liking My Sport

Matthew Tkachuk #19 of Team USA and Brandon Hagel #38 of Team Canada fight during the first period in the 2025 NHL 4 Nations Face-Off on February 15, 2025.

The 4 Nations Face-Off Really Might Be The Solution For All-Star Malaise

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - FEBRUARY 17: Connor McDavid #97 of Team Canada carries the puck against Juuse Saros #74 of Team Finland during the second period in the 4 Nations Face-Off game at TD Garden on February 17, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

This Is What We Came For

J.T. Miller #10 of Team USA and Colton Parayko #55 of Team Canada fight

Canada Still Alive In 4 Nations Despite Pugnacious Defeat In Montreal

MONTREAL, QUEBEC - FEBRUARY: Matthew Tkachuk #19 of Team United States points to a teammate after scoring his second goal of the third period against Juuse Saros #74 of Team Finland during the 4 Nations Face-Off game between the United States and Finland at Bell Centre on February 13, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec. (Photo by Andre Ringuette/4NFO/World Cup of Hockey via Getty Images)

Rowdy Tkachuk Boys Wreak General Havoc On Finland

Giri Nathan

PARIS, FRANCE - AUGUST 08: Lebron James #6 and Stephen Curry #4 of Team United States celebrate after their team's win against Team Serbia during a Men's basketball semifinals match between Team United States and Team Serbia on day thirteen of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Bercy Arena on August 08, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Steph Curry Kept The U.S. On Top

Kelsey McKinney

Alex Sedrick #8 of Team United States scores her team's second and winning try during the Women's Rugby Sevens Bronze medal match between Team United States and Team Australia on day four of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Stade de France on July 30, 2024 in Paris, France.

She Ran! Watch Her Run!

Staff Writer
Find me on Signal @DefectorChris.19

Chris Thompson

Jayson Tatum not playing in the Olympics.

Steve Kerr Needs Some Better Excuses

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - SEPTEMBER 08: Jalen Brunson #11 of the United States drives to the basket against Maodo Lo #4 of Germany during the FIBA Basketball World Cup Semi Final game between USA and Germany at Mall of Asia Arena on September 08, 2023 in Manila, Philippines. (Photo by Ezra Acayan/Getty Images)

Maybe They Should Consider Assembling A Real Team USA Sometime Soon

John Loeppky is a freelance writer and theatre artist currently based in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. His work has appeared for outlets such as FiveThirtyEight, CBC, and Maclean’s.

John Loeppky

Parasports

Inside The Athlete Uprising That Brought Down A Wheelchair Hoops Legend

Team Canada reacts after defeating Team United States in the Women's Ice Hockey Gold Medal match between Team Canada and Team United States on Day 13 of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games at Wukesong Sports Centre on February 17, 2022 in Beijing, China.

The Best Team Won

Erin Ambrose #23 of Team Canada reacts after a goal by teammate Emma Maltais #27 (not in photo) during the third period of the Women's Ice Hockey Playoff Semifinal match between Team Canada and Team Switzerland on Day 10 of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games at Wukesong Sports Centre on February 14, 2022 in Beijing, China.

A Fast And Fierce Team Canada Is Raising The Bar For Everyone

That Was A Scary 48 Seconds For Team USA

USA's Abby Roque (R) tries to score past USA's goaltender Madeline Rooney during the women's preliminary round group A match of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games ice hockey competition between USA and Canada, at the Wukesong Sports Centre in Beijing on February 8, 2022.

team usa