By Jack Borok
The 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympic Games have concluded and five outstanding Jewish athletes are coming home with medals. Here is a look at each of their outstanding performances that helped their squads secure the gold.
Jack Hughes
Jack Hughes, credit: People.com
Jack Hughes, alternate captain for the New Jersey Devils, played a pivotal role for the United States men’s hockey team in winning the gold medal. Jack was an absolute force for the Americans, scoring four goals in the tournament. Despite taking a high stick to the mouth and losing parts of his two front teeth in the gold medal game against Canada, Jack stayed in the game and scored the now iconic game-winning “golden goal” in overtime. Jack Hughes was one of the brightest stars of the entirety of the 2026 Olympic Games with a truly legendary performance.
Quinn Hughes
Quinn Hughes, credit: Pioneer Press
Jack Hughes’ brother, Quinn Hughes, was another pivotal contributor to the United States men’s hockey team’s gold medal run. Quinn, a defenseman for the Minnesota Wild, also played great in the gold medal game against Canada and throughout the tournament. Quinn’s main highlight came in the United States’ quarterfinal victory over Sweden where he scored a game-winning goal of his own in overtime. Quinn will now look to carry his momentum forward into the second half of his NHL season as his Wild team will make a push to win the Stanley Cup.
Jeremy Swayman
Jeremy Swayman, credit: The Boston Globe
Jeremy Swayman, goalie for the Boston Bruins, won a gold medal with the United States men’s hockey team at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. Swayman served as the backup to Connor Hellebuyck for the majority of the tournament, but he did start for Team USA in their 6-3 preliminary round victory over Denmark. Swayman has credited the Team USA coaching staff for instilling confidence in him following a rough previous NHL season, and he will look to continue to ride his wave of success in the second half of the year with the Bruins.
Emery Lehman
Emery Lehman, credit: The Times of Israel
American-Jewish speedskater and four time Olympian Emery Lehman won a silver medal in the team pursuit event in his final Olympic Games. Lehman and his team finished just 4.51 seconds behind the Italian team for the gold medal. This was Lehman’s second Olympic medal of his career, after winning a bronze medal in the team pursuit at the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing. After announcing that he would be retiring following the 2026 Olympics, Lehman said “Eight years ago, none of us had skated a team pursuit together. Now, to be finishing off with two Olympic medals, I’m pretty proud of it.”
Scotty James
Scotty James, credit: Fox Sports
Scotty James, an Australian-Jewish snowboarder, won the silver medal in the halfpipe event at the 2026 Olympic Games. James is a five time Olympian and this was his third Olympic medal in the halfpipe, having previously won a silver medal at the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing and a bronze medal at the 2018 Olympic Games in Pyeongchang. Despite his veteran Olympian status, James has no plans of slowing down, and intends to compete again for his sixth Olympics in the French Alps in 2030.
Mazel Tov to Jack Hughes, Quinn Hughes, Jeremy Swayman, Emery Lehman, and Scotty James on their medals at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympic Games and we wish them continued success as they return to their home countries.
