Team USA's Young Stars Seek Olympic Gold

Caroline Harvey, Haley Winn, and Kirsten Simms look to recreate their U-18 World Championship glory on the biggest stage.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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The U.S. women's hockey team has several young stars, including Caroline Harvey, Haley Winn, and Kirsten Simms, who are hoping to win Olympic gold in Beijing. The trio previously won gold together at the IIHF U-18 World Championships six years ago, and now have the chance to capture another championship on the Olympic stage against their rivals from Canada.

Why it matters

The U.S. team is significantly younger than the Canadian squad, but these three players bring valuable international experience from their prior success at the junior level. Their ability to perform under pressure and win a gold medal together could be a key factor in the highly anticipated gold medal match between the two North American powerhouses.

The details

Harvey, Winn, and Simms were high school classmates at Selects Academy at Bishop Kearney in Rochester, New York. They played together on the U.S. team that won gold at the 2020 IIHF U-18 World Championships, defeating Canada in overtime. Now they have the opportunity to replicate that triumph on an even bigger stage, as the U.S. and Canada face off for the Olympic gold medal.

  • The U.S. and Canada will play for the gold medal on Thursday, February 20, 2026.
  • Six years ago, in 2020, Harvey, Winn, and Simms won gold together at the IIHF U-18 World Championships.

The players

Caroline Harvey

A key member of the U.S. women's hockey team, who previously won gold with Winn and Simms at the 2020 IIHF U-18 World Championships.

Haley Winn

One of the young stars on the U.S. women's hockey team, having won gold with Harvey and Simms at the 2020 IIHF U-18 World Championships.

Kirsten Simms

A rising talent on the U.S. women's hockey team, who was part of the gold medal-winning squad with Harvey and Winn at the 2020 IIHF U-18 World Championships.

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What they’re saying

“It's definitely a day we'll remember for the rest of our lives.”

— Caroline Harvey (Sporting News)

“It's the best feeling I've probably ever had.”

— Kirsten Simms (Sporting News)

“Just screaming the anthem at the end on the blue line is just the best feeling in the world.”

— Haley Winn (Sporting News)

What’s next

The U.S. and Canada will face off in the gold medal match on Thursday, February 20, 2026, with the trio of Harvey, Winn, and Simms looking to capture Olympic glory after their previous success at the junior level.

The takeaway

These three young stars, who have already experienced the thrill of winning a gold medal together, now have the chance to achieve an even greater feat by leading Team USA to Olympic glory against their longtime rivals from Canada. Their prior success and chemistry could be a key factor in determining the outcome of the highly anticipated gold medal match.