MILANO, ITALY – When the puck drops on Saturday, March 7 at 5:05 p.m. local (11:05 p.m. ET) at the Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena in Milan, Team USA begins the defense of its Paralympic gold medal at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games para ice hockey tournament vs. host Italy.
“It should be a loud one. It should be a big crowd,” veteran goaltender Jen Lee said. “A lot of our young guys are waiting to see what it’s like to play in front of that kind of noise,” commented the four-time Paralympian.
The Americans enter as the reigning World Para Ice Hockey champions and a program that has captured four gold medals in the last five Paralympic Winter Games — Vancouver 2010, Sochi 2014, PyeongChang 2018 and Beijing 2022.
Italy enters the tournament looking to build on recent international progress and will rely on veteran leadership and the energy of a home crowd as it faces one of the sport’s most established programs.
For the United States, the game marks the beginning of another Paralympic campaign for one of the sport’s most successful national teams. A roster that blends veteran champions and emerging talent enters the tournament focused on building momentum in a fast-moving competition where every game can shape the path to the medal round.
“We’ve got a really good mix of veterans and younger guys,” Lee said. “The veterans know what it takes to play on this stage, and the younger players bring a lot of energy.”
Forward Liam Cunningham, making his Paralympic debut, said the experience of playing alongside longtime national team players has helped the newer athletes adjust to the intensity of the Games.
“Being around the veterans has been huge,” Cunningham said. “They’ve been through this before and help keep everyone focused on what we need to do as a team.”
Road to Milano Cortina 2026
Eight teams qualified for the Milano Cortina Paralympic para ice hockey tournament through world championships and international qualification events.
The teams are divided into two preliminary pools of four, with each nation playing three round-robin games before the tournament advances to the elimination rounds.
| Group A | Group B |
|---|---|
| United States | Canada |
| Italy | Czechia |
| China | Norway |
| Germany | Slovakia |
The top two teams from each group advance to the semifinals, with the winners moving on to compete for the Paralympic gold medal.
For players like Cunningham, the moment becomes real in small details.
“When you see the Paralympic decals on the ice and around the rink, it really hits you that this is the Games,” Cunningham said. “That’s when it starts to feel real.”
Unique Opener
The opener also features a unique connection between the two teams. Nikko Landeros, a three-time Paralympic gold medalist earlier in his career with Team USA, now represents Italy. Lee noted the unusual dynamic of seeing a longtime teammate on the opposing bench and said,
“It’s going to be a great way to play against him. We have a really good friendship with the Italian team.”
Managing the energy of opening night while maintaining disciplined puck movement and defensive structure will be key for the United States as the tournament begins.
“It’s going to be a good tournament,” said Cunningham. “I think we put it on display at Worlds last year. This one will be even more competitive, more fun to watch, and we’re all ready to go,” the Wisconsin defenseman concluded.
Unlike the Beijing 2022 Games, which were played largely without spectators, Milano Cortina is expected to feature full arenas and an energetic atmosphere.
With the energy of a Paralympic crowd filling the arena, Team USA’s first game of the tournament promises to deliver a memorable start to the competition and the first step in another pursuit of Paralympic gold.
Players to Watch
Declan Farmer (USA) — One of the most dynamic offensive players in para ice hockey and a central figure in the U.S. attack.
Jack Wallace (USA) — Powerful forward known for his relentless playing style and net-front presence.
Jen Lee (USA) — Veteran goaltender whose calm presence and rebound control anchor the U.S. defense.
Nikko Landeros (ITA) — Three-time Paralympic gold medalist earlier in his career with Team USA, now representing Italy.
Gianluigi Rosa (ITA) — Veteran defender competing in his fifth Paralympic Winter Games and a key leader for the host nation.
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