Us Women's Hockey Coach John Wroblewski Has Team Two Wins From Olympic Gold
Us Women's Hockey Coach John Wroblewski has the U. S. women two victories from an Olympic title, guiding a team that has posted five straight wins and four consecutive shutouts at the 2026 Milan Cortina Games. The women face Sweden in the semifinals on Feb. 17 (ET); a win would likely set up a finals rematch with Canada, while the U. S. men — featuring several players Wroblewski helped develop — move into the knockout round on Feb. 19 (ET).
Us Women's Hockey Coach: Defensive mastery and a clear path to the final
Wroblewski’s women have been defined by structure and error-free hockey. The team arrived in Milan and has since produced five straight victories, four of them shutouts, stretching defensive consistency through the preliminary round and into elimination play. That defensive posture has been paired with timely scoring: the U. S. has beaten Canada seven consecutive times in recent meetings, including a 5-0 preliminary-round result that underscored the gap between two traditional rivals.
On Feb. 17 (ET) the semifinal versus Sweden offers a direct route to an anticipated gold-medal matchup. Players and staff credit Wroblewski’s attention to detail and his classroom-style preparation for the low-error execution on the ice. Quinn Hughes called him “the ultimate teacher, ” while others point to the coach’s ability to make each role clear so the team defends cohesively and converts scoring chances efficiently.
Development pedigree and the men's connection as U. S. men advance
Wroblewski’s imprint stretches beyond the women’s bench. At 44, he built his reputation in the National Team Development Program, taking over the NTDP in 2017 and shepherding an especially talented cohort of prospects. During his tenure the under-18 teams won gold and bronze at world championships, and 29 of his players were later selected in the NHL draft — including a record eight first-round picks in 2019 led by a first-overall selection.
That pipeline explains why several top American men at these Games have a direct connection to Wroblewski. He was seen at the U. S. Winter House in Milan chatting with alumni such as Jack and Quinn Hughes, Brady Tkachuk and Matt Boldy — players who were shaped in part by his development work. The men’s team arrived in Milan undefeated and now enters the elimination round on Feb. 19 (ET), carrying a roster with deep ties to the coach who prioritized communication, structure and player growth.
Wroblewski’s own playing days concluded in 2007 after four seasons of college hockey at Notre Dame followed by time in the ECHL. He pivoted immediately into coaching, working through junior, ECHL and AHL ranks before taking the NTDP job. Stops in professional affiliates broadened his tactical toolbox and prepared him to manage high expectations on the Olympic stage.
What’s next in Milan and beyond
The immediate outlook centers on two dates: Feb. 17 (ET), when the U. S. women meet Sweden for a spot in the final, and Feb. 19 (ET), when the men enter knockout play. A gold medal would cement Wroblewski’s standing as a coach who can both develop elite talent and deliver under Olympic pressure. Even without a title, his dual influence — shaping future NHLers and running a dominant women’s squad at the Games — has already become one of the central storylines of American hockey in Milan.
Whether the outcome is gold or another medal, the combination of defensive discipline, clear instruction and a proven development track record has given the U. S. teams a distinct identity at these Olympics and further burnished a coach whose fingerprints are visible across both rosters.
