Connor Hellebuyck’s stick save earns ‘Secretary of Defense’ nickname after Olympic gold
Team United States goaltender connor hellebuyck finished with 41 saves and a sequence of game-changing stops as the U. S. beat Canada in overtime to win its first Olympic men’s hockey gold since 1980. The 32-year-old’s remarkable paddle-and-stick work prompted United States Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to endorse a social media nickname, calling Hellebuyck the "Secretary of Defense. "
Connor Hellebuyck's pivotal saves
Hellebuyck collected 41 saves to help keep the score tied at 1-1 and force overtime. One especially dramatic moment came in the second period when he somehow stopped a wide-open shot from Devon Toews #7 in front of his crease with only his stick, turning quickly with his right hand to halt the puck. For that stop, the Canadian Colorado Avalanche star lifted the puck just a bit for Hellebuyck’s paddle to get right in the way for the save. Without that save, and many others, the result may have been different.
Hegseth and the 'Secretary' nickname
United States Secretary of War Pete Hegseth bestowed his old title on American goaltender Connor Hellebuyck and endorsed a social media account that had dubbed Hellebuyck the "Secretary of Defense. " Hegseth, who held that title before the agency he heads became known as the Department of War last September, wrote, "Now we have a Secretary of War…and a Secretary of Defense!" over the post showing Hellebuyck’s efforts.
Key moments against Canada
The game remained 1-1 through the end of the second period and throughout the third before overtime was needed. Hellebuyck did let up a goal to Avalanche star defenseman Cale Makar in the second period, but he made save after save following that game-tying score to give his team a chance at glory. Canada could not capitalize on some grade-A chances, including assistant captain Nathan MacKinnon missing a wide-open net in the third period.
Overtime and the game-winner
Overtime decided the gold medal: Jack Hughes ultimately scored the game-winner past Canada’s netminder Jordan Binnington, sealing the victory for Team United States and completing the team’s run to its first Olympic gold in men’s hockey since 1980.
Venue, date and celebration
The match took place at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Feb. 22, 2026, in Milan, Italy, during day 16 (day sixteen) of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games. After the final buzzer, the 32-year-old Hellebuyck skated around the ice alone with an American flag on his back as the crowd roared its approval. Photographs captured Connor Hellebuyck of Team United States saving the shot taken by Devon Toews #7 of Team Canada in the third period during the Men’s Gold Medal match on that day, credited to Jared C. Tilton.
Reflecting on the victory after the game, Hellebuyck said, "It’s a dream come true. We grinded, we battled, and this was some of the best and most fun hockey that I’ve ever played. "
Contributor and sportscaster Jim Gray and correspondent Madison Scarpino discussed and reported on the U. S. victory and the reactions that followed.
Team United States’ overtime win over Canada, highlighted by connor hellebuyck’s series of stops and his now-famous stick save, completed a gold-medal run that ended a decades-long drought for U. S. men’s Olympic hockey.
