John Wroblewski’s viral vintage jacket links Team USA to a trailblazer of women’s hockey
Team USA’s dominant run in Milan has shared the spotlight with a piece of sideline style that tells a bigger story. Head coach John Wroblewski has been behind the bench in a vintage USA jacket that went viral—and later revealed a remarkable connection to the roots of women’s hockey on the Olympic stage.
The rink-side look that sparked a conversation
Wroblewski, 44, turned heads during the February 9 (ET) win over Switzerland by wearing a cream, snap-front varsity jacket striped in red, white, and blue with a bold “USA” and a hockey stick embroidered on the chest. The Wisconsin-born former pro, who took the helm of the U. S. Women’s National Team and Olympic program in 2022, has kept the garment in rotation during the tournament, where cameras have routinely found it between whistles. The look struck a chord with fans amid a Games already alive with fashion moments—and then the backstory took it to another level.
An eBay find with a hidden past
The coach picked up the jacket on eBay, initially unaware of where it came from. Only after the purchase did he learn it had once belonged to Walter Bush, a towering figure in American hockey leadership with a lasting imprint on the women’s game. The jacket’s path to the present wasn’t straightforward: after Bush’s passing in 2016 at age 86, it surfaced at an estate sale before eventually landing online, where Wroblewski found it and brought it to the Olympics.
Why Walter Bush’s name matters here
Bush’s resume helps explain why the jacket resonates beyond aesthetics. He served as president of the national governing body for the sport from 1986 to 2003 and later chaired its board through 2016. He was instrumental in elevating women’s hockey, helping clear the way for the sport’s Olympic debut in 1998 and supporting the first IIHF World Women’s Championship in 1990. A Hockey Hall of Fame inductee in 2000 and a key founder of the NHL’s Minnesota North Stars, Bush’s influence was both institutional and international. Even today, his legacy is reflected in the centerpiece named in his honor at the sport’s national headquarters.
Performance meets symbolism for undefeated Team USA
On the ice, the vibes around the jacket have matched the results. The United States opened the tournament 4–0, outscoring opponents 20–1 and delivering a landmark 5–0 shutout against Canada—its first-ever shutout loss in Olympic women’s hockey. That blend of style and substance has turned Wroblewski’s coat into a quiet rallying point: a nod to those who pushed the women’s game forward, worn by a coach guiding a roster intent on writing its own chapter.
The coach behind the bench
Since taking over in 2022, Wroblewski’s impact has shown up in structure, tempo, and a bench that looks prepared for every situation. His background—rooted in Midwest rinks and shaped by a career that bridged playing and player development—has given him a relatable edge with a veteran-laden locker room. In Milan, that personality has meshed with a group that rolls four lines, pressures pucks, and has thus far shown a balance of scoring depth and defensive detail.
Will the jacket return for the knockout rounds?
As the knockout stage unfolds, expect curiosity over the coach’s wardrobe to linger alongside the bigger stakes on the ice. The vintage USA piece is more than a viral accessory; it’s a wearable thread to the past at a moment when the sport continues to expand its future. Whether the jacket makes another appearance or not, its story has already traveled far: from a closet to an estate sale to an online listing—and now, to the center of the Olympic conversation.
