New England Olympians Compete in Hockey and Curling Before Opening Ceremony

Local athletes from Boston and Massachusetts represent Team USA in women's hockey and mixed doubles curling events.

Feb. 4, 2026 at 10:55pm

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Several athletes from New England are competing in the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics before the official Opening Ceremony. Members of the U.S. women's hockey team, including Hannah Bilka from Boston College and Kendall Coyne Schofield from Northeastern University, will face Czechia on Thursday morning. Southborough, Massachusetts native Korey Dropkin will also make his Olympic debut in mixed doubles curling on Thursday.

Why it matters

The early competitions for these New England athletes provide an exciting start to the Olympics for local fans and highlight the strong talent pool from the region contributing to Team USA. Their performances could set the tone for the rest of the Games.

The details

The U.S. women's hockey team, stacked with New England talent, will take on Czechia at 10:40 a.m. on Thursday. Bilka and Coyne Schofield are part of the roster, with Coyne Schofield noting the excitement of having family and friends arriving to support the team. Meanwhile, Dropkin from Southborough, Massachusetts will make his Olympic debut in mixed doubles curling at 4:05 a.m. on Thursday.

  • The U.S. women's hockey team faces Czechia on Thursday, February 6, 2026 at 10:40 a.m.
  • Korey Dropkin's mixed doubles curling competition begins on Thursday, February 6, 2026 at 4:05 a.m.

The players

Hannah Bilka

A former Boston College hockey star now representing Team USA.

Kendall Coyne Schofield

A Northeastern University alum now playing for the U.S. women's hockey team.

Korey Dropkin

A native of Southborough, Massachusetts competing in mixed doubles curling for Team USA.

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What they’re saying

“Really exciting, first Olympics — I'm just taking everything in, but love it so far.”

— Hannah Bilka (nbcboston.com)

“It's exciting, and everyone's family and friends are starting to flood in here a little bit. I think we're over the jetlag, and yeah, it's exciting to get going.”

— Kendall Coyne Schofield (nbcboston.com)

“It's not just us becoming Olympians, it's our families, truly, and having them on the side of the sheet, cheering us on, is going to be, certainly, emotional, so we'll have to keep that tucked in and in check.”

— Korey Dropkin (nbcboston.com)

The takeaway

The early competitions for these New England athletes provide an exciting start to the Olympics for local fans and highlight the strong talent pool from the region contributing to Team USA's success.