Goaltending coach Alli Altmann's journey to helping Team USA women's hockey win at Olympics

Altmann led three US goaltenders to an Olympic record shutout streak at the 2026 Milan Games

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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Alli Altmann, the assistant coach for the University of St. Thomas women's hockey team, served as the goaltending coach for the U.S. women's hockey team that won gold at the 2026 Olympics in Milan. Altmann helped guide three American goaltenders - Aerin Frankel, Gwyneth Philips, and Ava McNaughton - to an Olympic record shutout streak of over 331 minutes across five consecutive games.

Why it matters

Altmann's role in leading the U.S. women's hockey team to Olympic gold highlights the growing prominence of women's hockey and the development of elite talent at the college level, especially in the WCHA conference which produced five staff members and six players for the gold medal-winning team.

The details

Altmann, a native of Eagan, Minnesota, grew up playing goalie herself starting in 3rd grade. She went on to play for the Minnesota State-Mankato Mavericks in college. Now as an assistant coach at the University of St. Thomas, Altmann was tasked with preparing the U.S. women's hockey team's goaltenders for the 2026 Olympics. Under her guidance, the trio of Frankel, Philips, and McNaughton set a new Olympic record by maintaining a shutout streak of over 331 minutes across five straight games, helping the U.S. team win the gold medal.

  • Altmann grew up playing goalie starting in 3rd grade.
  • Altmann played for the Minnesota State-Mankato Mavericks in college.
  • Altmann is currently an assistant coach for the University of St. Thomas women's hockey team.
  • Altmann served as the goaltending coach for the U.S. women's hockey team at the 2026 Olympics in Milan.
  • The U.S. women's hockey team won the gold medal at the 2026 Olympics.

The players

Alli Altmann

The assistant coach for the University of St. Thomas women's hockey team and the goaltending coach for the U.S. women's hockey team that won gold at the 2026 Olympics.

Aerin Frankel

One of the three U.S. goaltenders coached by Altmann at the 2026 Olympics.

Gwyneth Philips

One of the three U.S. goaltenders coached by Altmann at the 2026 Olympics.

Ava McNaughton

One of the three U.S. goaltenders coached by Altmann at the 2026 Olympics.

Scott Darwitz

Altmann's high school coach at Eagan, and the father of Olympian and Hall-of-Famer Natalie Darwitz.

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What they’re saying

“I was just focused on making sure our goaltenders were performing to the best of their abilities and making sure they're in the right headspace. You know I always tell them I'm their number one fan and number one support system, so that's where my focus was, making sure they were ready to do their jobs.”

— Alli Altmann, Goaltending Coach, Team USA Women's Hockey (CBS News)

“You know those moments always stick out to me like hey, if you dream it, if you see it, you can be there one day.”

— Alli Altmann, Goaltending Coach, Team USA Women's Hockey (CBS News)

What’s next

The University of St. Thomas women's hockey team, where Altmann is an assistant coach, will be competing in the WCHA Final Face-Off championship game on Saturday at 2 p.m.

The takeaway

Alli Altmann's journey from playing goalie herself to coaching the U.S. women's hockey team to Olympic gold highlights the growing prominence of women's hockey and the development of elite talent at the college level, especially in the WCHA conference which produced a significant portion of the gold medal-winning team's staff and players.