MASSENA, New York (WWNY) – Mike Trimboli was in the arena in Milan when Jack Hughes delivered the golden goal, giving the U.S. men\u2019s hockey team its first Olympic gold medal since 1980 in Lake Placid. As President of USA Hockey, Trimboli had a front-row seat to history, and he said the moment felt anything but professional.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor a bunch of professionals sitting up in the suites, we were like a bunch of peewees that just won the tournament, celebrating with each other,\u201d Trimboli said. \u201cWhat a great feeling!\u201d<\/p>\n
Trimboli, a Massena native, has served as President of USA Hockey since 2021. He described the role as one built on trust from the organization\u2019s leadership.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s actually humbling to have the Congress and the board of directors of USA Hockey to put their faith and confidence in me to lead this organization,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
USA Hockey\u2019s role and reach<\/p>\n
USA Hockey is the national governing body of hockey in the United States. The organization oversees youth hockey, grows the sport domestically, and organizes and trains men\u2019s and women\u2019s teams for international competition, including the Olympics.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnything that wears the USA crest comes under USA Hockey,\u201d Trimboli said.<\/p>\n
Balancing Milan and Massena<\/p>\n
During the Milan Games, Trimboli traveled back and forth between Italy and New York, where he also coaches the Massena boys varsity hockey team. Both the U.S. men\u2019s and women\u2019s teams won gold medals at the 2026 Games.<\/p>\n
Following the men\u2019s gold-medal win, Trimboli celebrated with players, management, and family. He took pictures with the Hughes brothers, Connor Hellebuyck, Auston Matthews, and others.<\/p>\n
A tribute to Johnny Gaudreau<\/p>\n
Amid the celebration, Trimboli said it was emotional when the team honored the late Johnny Gaudreau on the ice. Gaudreau was killed by an alleged drunk driver in 2024. Trimboli said he spoke with defenseman Zach Werenski shortly after the win.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe first thing I said to him was, \u2018This one is for Johnny,\u2019\u201d Trimboli said. \u201cZach was very close to Johnny Gaudreau.\u201d<\/p>\n
Growth of the sport<\/p>\n
Trimboli said USA Hockey typically sees a spike in interest following the Olympics. He said female participation in the sport is currently at an all-time high and is outpacing the male side.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a great accomplishment by both teams in Milan coming away with the double gold, and by doing that, they\u2019ve truly inspired the next generation of youth hockey players all across the United States to want to be like them,\u201d Trimboli said.<\/p>\n
He said the long-term success of the program is rooted in local communities.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of credit has to go to the foundation of our sport that happens at local arenas across the US,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Trimboli is scheduled to return to Italy to watch the U.S. sled hockey team compete in the Paralympics.<\/p>\n
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