Discover the collegiate hockey standouts who've achieved Olympic glory, from Canada's multi-gold medalist to the US's Sochi hero.
The Olympic fever is slowly fading away after an incredible overall showing from Milan, Italy. With that being said, after not talking to the people of The Hockey News for so long, we have to talk about the most successful olympians from each country to still feel we’ve gotten our point across. So without further adieu, let’s get right into it.
Canada: Jonathan Toews (North Dakota)
Canadian forward Jonathan Toews (16) scores Canada's first goal during the Men's Gold Medal Hockey match between USA and Canada at the Canada Hockey Place during the XXI Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, Canada on February 28, 2010. YURI KADOBNOV/AFP/Getty ImagesWith the insane Canadian depth, it is difficult to select one specific player with all the success within Canada. But when you narrow it down to former collegiate hockey players, Jonathan Toews is one of the few to have multiple gold medals under his belt.
A lot of people don’t realize how good of an olympian Toews was, leading the team in scoring in the Golden Goal year of 2010 with eight points while he was in just his third season of NHL hockey, while also being a key contributor in 2014 for multiple gold medals as well.
Toews attended North Dakota just three years before becoming a gold medalist, with an impressive 40 goals over two seasons.
United States: TJ Oshie (North Dakota)
SOCHI, RUSSIA - FEBRUARY 15: T.J. Oshie #74 of the United States scores on a shootout against Sergei Bobrovski #72 of Russia during the Men's Ice Hockey Preliminary Round Group A game on day eight of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at Bolshoy Ice Dome on February 15, 2014 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)If you thought the Canadian debate was difficult, the process of picking one single American is even more difficult, but T.J Oshie was absolutely incredible in his moment to shine.
T.J Oshie in Sochi wasn’t just a highlight, instead an inspiration to kids around the world looking to get into hockey. He delivered just that.
Hilariously enough, him and Toews played on the same team at North Dakota. Something in the air in Grand Forks I guess…
USA’s Honorable Mention: Mark Johnson (Wisconsin)
Johnson as a piece to the 1980 "Miracle On Ice" Gold Medal squadron./Credit: Sports IllustratedSomeone had to be mentioned from the incredible 1980 team, and the star of it all Mark Johnson has a respectable pick.
Not only a sensational Olympian, an all time great at Wisconsin and now the bench boss behind the Women’s program for the Badgers, who just produced numerous gold medals to the program this past week as well.
There isn’t too many of them, but it is always an honor to give some respect to the Canadian and American NCAA greats that have made impactful strides at the world stage.