Notable quotes from the Milan Cortina Olympics: Feb. 22, 2026

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MILAN - Here are some notable quotes from the Milan Cortina Olympics on Feb. 22, 2026:

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MILAN – Here are some notable quotes from the Milan Cortina Olympics on Feb. 22, 2026:

“You be the judge of who was the better team today.”

American goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) looks on as Canadian forward Nathan MacKinnon's shot misses the open net during third period of the men's gold-medal hockey game at the Winter Olympics in Milan on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026.
American goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) looks on as Canadian forward Nathan MacKinnon's shot misses the open net during third period of the men's gold-medal hockey game at the Winter Olympics in Milan on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026.

— Canadian hockey forward Nathan MacKinnon, after losing  2-1 in overtime to the United States in the gold medal game.

“We had lots of chances, I had lots of chances, I missed. You get put in those situations, you have to capitalize on your opportunities, and I didn’t.”

— Canada forward Macklin Celebrini.

“There were so many opportunities where we could have won that game, but as a team, there’s not much more we could have done.”

— Canada captain Sidney Crosby, who missed the game with a lower-body injury.

United States' Charlie McAvoy, left to right, Brock Nelson, Jake Oettinger, Auston Matthews, Connor Hellebuyck and Quinn Hughes stand with their gold medals after Sunday's overtime win over Canada. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
United States' Charlie McAvoy, left to right, Brock Nelson, Jake Oettinger, Auston Matthews, Connor Hellebuyck and Quinn Hughes stand with their gold medals after Sunday's overtime win over Canada. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

“That’s what the media in Toronto should be talking about. Auston Matthews led us to a championship.”

— American defenceman Quinn Hughes on Auston Matthews, the captain of both the U.S. team and the Toronto Maple Leafs.

“I was that kid. I was the eager kid watching TV, mimicking my heroes. I don’t even really put that into words yet, just the thought that the next generation has something to look up to. This is a nation’s goal. It’s not just a Team USA goal. This is a whole nation’s goal.”

— American goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, who made 41 saves.

“For anyone who called us cheaters, for anyone who said negative things about Marc Kennedy, about us, about Canada, about our families, I hope that the image of us standing on top of the podium, embracing one another, smiling ear to ear with our gold medals, is burned into your brain forever.” 

— Brad Jacobs, skip of Canada’s Olympic champion men’s curling team.

Canada's Brad Jacobs, left, and Marc Kennedy celebrate defeating Britain in a men's curling gold medal match, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu)
Canada's Brad Jacobs, left, and Marc Kennedy celebrate defeating Britain in a men's curling gold medal match, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu)

“Honestly, this might be the best day of my life. It’s crazy … I haven’t even talked to my parents yet because it’s been so hectic, but I’m enjoying life right now, and it’s going to be a dream come true. I will remember it for the rest of my life.”

— Short-track speedskating champion Steven Dubois, on being named Canada’s flagbearer alongside long-track gold medallist Valérie Maltais.

“We just need more girls in our sport, honestly … It’s just freaking scary, so I get why girls don’t want to do it, but there’s just no one coming up to replace if a girl goes down and out.”

— Canadian freestyle skier Amy Fraser, who placed fourth in the halfpipe.

“The break between the runs is crazy. You have to focus. My secret is to drink some coffees, some espressos here in Italy, so my brain is still focused … Maybe it was too much.”

Canada's Amy Fraser looks on after her second run in the women's freeski halfpipe in Livigno, Italy, on Sunday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Canada's Amy Fraser looks on after her second run in the women's freeski halfpipe in Livigno, Italy, on Sunday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

— Champion German bobsledder Johannes Lochner, on the long break between each run.

“I stood here with a total darkness inside after the relay. Then, if I think back at the last 50km at a championship, it also ended in a total darkness. So this feels like an incredible revenge.”

Swedish cross-country skier after winning the women’s 50-kilometre mass start, after her disastrous crash cost Sweden a gold medal in the team relay.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 22, 2026.

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