Wild GM Guerin 'super stressed' during Olympic gold medal game

Guerin's Oura ring data shows his heart rate and stress levels spiked during Team USA's overtime win over Canada.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 4:00am

Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin, who served as the GM for the U.S. Olympic men's hockey team, says he was "super stressed" during the gold medal game against Canada. Guerin's Oura ring, which tracks over 50 health metrics, showed his heart rate and stress levels spiked dramatically during the game, which the U.S. won 2-1 in overtime. Guerin says he tried to appear calm outwardly, but the data from his wearable device shows just how intense the experience was for him.

Why it matters

Guerin's experience highlights the immense pressure and stress that comes with being a general manager, especially in high-stakes tournament situations like the Olympics. The data from his Oura ring provides a unique window into the physiological impact of that stress and shows how even experienced executives can be affected by the intensity of big games.

The details

Guerin's Oura ring data showed his daytime stress levels shot from "restored" to "stressed" as the gold medal game approached, and they remained elevated in the "stressed" and "engaged" ranges for hours. His heart rate also spiked above 120 bpm and reached as high as 140 bpm during the game. Guerin said he tried to appear calm outwardly, but the data revealed just how much the game impacted him physically and mentally.

  • Guerin's stress levels spiked in the hours leading up to the gold medal game on February 22, 2026 in Milan.
  • Guerin's heart rate remained above 100 bpm, rose above 120 bpm, and peaked around 140 bpm during the game.

The players

Bill Guerin

The 55-year-old general manager of the Minnesota Wild who also served as the GM for the U.S. Olympic men's hockey team.

Team USA

The United States men's national ice hockey team that won the gold medal at the 2026 Olympics in Milan, defeating Canada 2-1 in overtime.

Team Canada

The Canadian men's national ice hockey team that lost to the United States 2-1 in overtime in the gold medal game at the 2026 Olympics.

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What they’re saying

“Honestly, I just tried to appear calm. That was it. There was no fixing it.”

— Bill Guerin, General Manager, Minnesota Wild

What’s next

The Wild are currently in playoff contention and Guerin will look to apply the lessons he learned from the Olympics about managing stress and taking care of his health as his team pushes for the Stanley Cup.

The takeaway

Guerin's experience shows the immense pressure and physiological toll that comes with being a sports executive, even for seasoned veterans. The data from his wearable device provides a unique window into the intense stress of high-stakes tournament situations, and serves as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing health and wellness, even at the highest levels of professional sports.