The countdown to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina is heating up, and athletes, coaches, and fans across the globe are feeling the anticipation. Recent announcements and developments have put the spotlight on Team USA’s men’s ice hockey staff, a British skater’s Olympic quest, and the dramatic comeback of an American speedskating star. The road to the Games is paved with high hopes, hard knocks, and a relentless pursuit of excellence—let’s take a closer look at the latest stories shaping the Olympic narrative.
On Wednesday, September 17, 2025, USA Hockey unveiled its full slate of assistant coaches and support staff for the U.S. Men’s Olympic Ice Hockey Team. The action will unfold in Milan, Italy, in February 2026, and the Americans are pulling out all the stops. Leading the charge is head coach Mike Sullivan, a familiar face with a wealth of international experience. Sullivan will be joined by an impressive trio: David Quinn, currently an assistant with the New York Rangers; John Hynes, the Minnesota Wild’s head coach; and the ever-fiery John Tortorella, a former NHL bench boss. This coaching brain trust isn’t new to working together—they teamed up just this past February for the inaugural 4 Nations Face-Off, where they guided Team USA to the championship game, falling to Canada in a dramatic overtime finish.
“We’re extremely fortunate to have a tremendous staff,” U.S. general manager Bill Guerin said in a release. “Everyone is extremely proud to represent our country and focused on our collective effort to bring home a gold medal to the United States.” The staff’s Olympic pedigree is undeniable: Sullivan has five stints with the senior national team, Hynes boasts experience at both the IIHF World Junior Championship and Men’s World Championship, Quinn led the U.S. at the 2022 Winter Olympics, and Tortorella was at the helm for the Americans at the World Cup in 2016. The support team is equally seasoned—Los Angeles Kings goalie coach Mike Buckley reprises his role, while Mike King (Ottawa Senators) and Madison Nikkel (Pittsburgh Penguins) return as video coaches.
The men’s ice hockey tournament at the 2026 Winter Games kicks off on Wednesday, February 11, with Team USA opening their Group C campaign against Latvia on February 12. The Americans are chasing their first Olympic men’s ice hockey medal since taking silver in Vancouver in 2010, and fans still dream of a return to gold reminiscent of the Miracle on Ice in 1980. Can this experienced staff guide the U.S. back to the top of the podium? Only time will tell, but the foundation is certainly strong.
Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, British figure skating is pinning its Olympic hopes on Ed Appleby. British Ice Skating has confirmed that Appleby will represent Great Britain at the ISU Skate to Milano Figure Skating Qualifier, held in Beijing from September 18 to 21, 2025. The stakes couldn’t be higher—this is the last opportunity for skaters to secure Olympic quota spots for their nations. Five men’s singles, five women’s singles, three pairs, and four ice dance spots are still up for grabs. Appleby is set to compete in the men’s singles event, aiming to clinch a coveted Olympic berth for Team GB.
Adding to the British presence, Mary Chapman will serve as a judge at the event. Her selection reflects the respect and expertise British officials enjoy within the international skating community. The event will take place at the Beijing National Indoor Stadium, and fans worldwide can catch all the action via the ISU’s official YouTube channel, which will provide free live streaming and archived replays. For British fans, the entire BIS community will be watching and rooting for Appleby, hoping he can deliver a performance that secures a spot for Great Britain at the Winter Games. Should he succeed, it would mark a significant achievement for British figure skating and add momentum heading into Milan-Cortina 2026.
While teams and federations are fine-tuning their Olympic plans, the athletes themselves are battling adversity and pushing their limits. Few stories capture that spirit better than the recent journey of American speedskating sensation Jordan Stolz. The 21-year-old has been on a meteoric rise, dazzling fans with World Cup victories and claiming the World Allround Championship in 2024. But 2025 has thrown its share of curveballs his way.
On June 2, Stolz suffered a harrowing bike crash near his home in Kewaskum, Wisconsin, while sprinting at about 40 mph. The chain on his bike unraveled, sending him over the handlebars and into a roadside ditch. The result was a deep gash on his right leg, requiring 16 stitches, and a cracked helmet. “I was just hoping nothing was broken, I was hoping the X-rays would be fine,” Stolz recalled. The cut was so deep that Stolz could see the white of his shin bone and moving tendons. His father rushed him to the hospital, where he endured a three-hour wait before being stitched up. “I’m sure it could have been way worse,” Stolz said. “I could have been broken – all over. It was just this; I was lucky. It healed up fairly well.”
Remarkably, Stolz returned to training just one week later, his leg taped up and his determination undimmed. “Crutches …” he joked when asked if he needed them. “It wasn’t broken.” The healing process took about two months, and Stolz had to battle through pain and discomfort, but his focus never wavered. His coach, Bob Corby, praised his resilience and work ethic, noting that Stolz’s mentality is elite. “Now he’s got a Harry Potter scar,” Corby quipped, referencing the lightning bolt-shaped mark on Stolz’s leg. Stolz himself remembered being called "Flash Jordan" as a kid—a fitting nickname for someone who seems to bounce back with superhuman speed.
Stolz’s 2025 season has been a rollercoaster. In January, he fell during a warm-up in Calgary, then battled a stomach illness, strep throat, and pneumonia—all while still collecting gold medals in World Cup events. The antibiotics he needed wreaked havoc on his digestion, making it difficult to maintain proper nutrition. Despite these setbacks, Stolz’s competitive fire burned bright. He lost a 500-meter World Cup event to rival Jenning De Boo but rebounded to claim the overall World Cup season title. Although he was not 100% healthy at the World Championships in March, he still managed to medal in all three of his signature events: the 500, 1,000, and 1,500 meters.
Now, with the ice back at the Pettit National Ice Center and the fall season underway, Stolz is back in top form and setting his sights on the 2026 Olympics. “Yeah I guess you could say it was motivating, if you want to write that,” Stolz said of his challenging year. “I would kind of keep that on my mind throughout the summer.” His resilience and focus make him a top favorite for Olympic gold, and his journey is a testament to the grit required at the highest level of sport.
As the Olympic clock ticks closer to Milan-Cortina, the drama and determination on display—from the rink to the ice track—promise an unforgettable Games. Whether it’s Team USA’s quest for hockey glory, Ed Appleby’s bid for a British skating breakthrough, or Jordan Stolz’s relentless comeback, the stories unfolding now are sure to shape the headlines come February 2026.
