When Jaccob Slavin steps onto the ice this February for the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina as a member of Team USA’s men’s hockey squad, it will mark a milestone not just in his career but for the entire community that watched him grow up gliding after puck after puck. 

While recovering at home, Slavin was on the floor playing LEGOs with his daughter, Emersyn, when Bill Guerin, General Manager of the U.S. Men’s Olympic Hockey Team rang him up to deliver the news that he made the squad.  

Slavin gladly accepted the offer with his typical understated demeanor. The announcement came as no surprise to his avid fans, who have followed his stellar 11 year NHL career. His standout performance this year at the 4 Nations Tournament drew more eyes than ever to his talent. Slavin has missed 29 games this season after suffering a lower-body injury early in the year. He briefly returned before taking a hit that resulted in an upper-body injury and remains on injured reserve. His Olympic selection sent a clear message that those setbacks did not overshadow what he accomplished this season.

Jaccob Slavin faces off against Brandon Hagel of Team Canada during 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey championship game. Photo courtesy of Brian Fluharty Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

Slavin, who graduated from Erie High School in 2012, didn’t start in front of big crowds or bright lights. Instead, he skated, practiced and competed at local rinks like the Ice Centre at the Promenade in Broomfield in front of a small number of family members, teachers, friends and other youth hockey families. Now, more than a decade later millions will watch him this February.

His early years competing were driven by his love of the game. His passion and persistence shaped him into a quiet and humble player who continues to embody Erie’s values. He is a man of faith who keeps himself grounded. He uses the money and fame he’s garnered to give back to the community. A prominent example is when Slavin and his wife Kylie launched the “Fight for Freedom” campaign supporting the International Justice Mission in the 2023-2024 season. Fittingly, he received the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy in 2021 and 2024, an award honoring sportsmanship, gentlemanly conduct, and a high standard of playing ability.

There are thousands of miles between the Italian Alps and the Colorado Front Range, but Jaccob Slavin’s story will bring both worlds colliding. Growing up in Erie and playing youth hockey on Colorado rinks taught him the qualities that allowed him to dominate in the NHL: namely resilience, patience and grit. Today he’s not just a top defenseman and alternate captain for the Carolina Hurricanes, he’s one of the most respected American blueliners in the sport. 

Now, with Slavin’s name etched onto the Olympic roster and the world watching, Erie residents get the joy of cheering for one of their own. The same kid who learned the game on Colorado ice, who values character as much as competition, will carry those lessons with him to Milan-Cortina. No matter how bright the lights or how loud the crowd, Slavin remains grounded in the values and town that raised him. 

 

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