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say how much faster it is, and then they see the Olympics and interna- tional is even faster. It's just all really exciting." The PWHL has also risen the level of compe- tition for the Olympics. More practices and games, more players, and access to facil- ities and resources raises the quality and competitiveness as a whole. "You have even deeper rivalries now I think, too," said Roseville's Lee Stecklein, who will play in her fourth Olympic Games. "There was a time in my early Olympics where I wasn't even familiar with some of the girls on other teams, but now they might be my teammate, or I have played a ton of games against them (in the PWHL). Now you know exactly what they can bring, whether they're on the U.S. team or we're playing against them on another country. "It's just a new level of intensity." Stecklein and Pannek are two of the veter- an members ready to continue an impact in Team USA's pursuit. The mission is clear: bring home the Gold for the first time since 2018. "It never gets old. Not one bit," Pannek said of putting on the USA jersey. "I've got- ten to the point in my career too where I try to be the right role player. I can play in any situation or scenario, and I think I can kind of be a leader as called upon. "It's going to be really good hockey. It's always a battle, no matter who's on the ice. I can't wait." M H J O N L I N E . C O M | J A N / F E B 2 0 2 6 22 Every Minnesotan to play in the Olympic Games REPRESENT From backyard rinks to the game's biggest stage, Minnesota has been the No. 1 producer of U.S. ice hockey Olympians over the last century. 1920 Anthony Conroy, St. Paul Cyril Weidenborner, St. Paul Frank Goheen, White Bear Lake John Edward Fitzgerald, St. Paul 1936 Phillip LaBatte, Minneapolis 1948 Allan Opsahl, Minneapolis Robert Baker, Thief River Falls Robert Boeser, Minneapolis Ruben Bjorkman, Roseau 1952 Allen Van, St. Paul Andre Gambucci, Eveleth Arnold C. Oss Jr., Minneapolis James Sedin, St. Paul John Noah, Crookston Ken Yackel, St. Paul Robert Rompre, International Falls Ruben Bjorkman, Roseau 1956 Dan McKinnon, Williams Dick Dougherty, International Falls Ed Sampson, International Falls Eugene Campbell, Minneapolis Gordon Christian, Warroad Jack Petroske, Hibbing John Mayasich, Eveleth Johnny Matchefts, Eveleth Richard Meredith, Minneapolis Wendell Anderson, St. Paul Willard Ikola, Eveleth 1960 Bob Owen, St. Louis Park Jack McCartan, St. Paul John Mayasich, Eveleth Paul Johnson, St. Paul Richard Meredith, Minneapolis Roger Christian, Warroad Tom Williams, Duluth William "Bill" Christian, Warroad 1964 Dan Dilworth, International Falls Dates Fryberger, Duluth David Brooks, St. Paul Donald Ross, Roseau Gary Schmalzbauer, St. Paul Herb Brooks, St. Paul James Westby, Minneapolis Paul Johnson, St. Paul Roger Christian, Warroad 1920 1920 1956 1956 1964 1964 M N > M I L A N 2 0 2 6 Rory Guilday Minnetonka Did You Know? The 1924 U.S. Men's Olympic Team is the lone squad to not have rostered a player from Minnesota. Every U.S. Women's Olympic Team has included at least two Minnesotans, including seven on the Gold Medal-winning 2018 team, and six on the 2022 Silver squad!