Michigan to Milano: 12 Olympic Athletes from Metro Detroit in the 2026 Winter Olympics
- Dan Cooke
- 6 hours ago
- 7 min read
Updated: 2 hours ago
From Canton to Cortina and the Mitten to Milan, here are the 12 Olympic athletes from Metro Detroit representing the red, white, and blue during the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina D'Ampezzo, Italy!
Crisp Alpine air cuts through a sleepy mountain town in the Italian Dolomites. It may be mid-summer in the little town of Cortina D'Ampezzo, but a subtle chill hiding in the early morning air hints at colder days to come.
Colder - yet immensely more exciting - days that are impatiently waiting just a short 7 months away.
While Cortina represented the starting line of my crew's summertime backpacking trek into the Dolomites, this stunning alpine city would constitute the finish line for a lifetime's worth of sacrifice, achievement, and dreams for hundreds of athletes in the near future. The five-colored rings, set in the foreground of a jaw-dropping vista left no doubt to the significance, of this city: the 2026 Winter Olympics were coming to Milan and Cortina D'Ampezzo.
Now, as I strike these keys, the games are already here.
I would certainly not be the last Michigander to gaze upon those rings and dramatic backdrop. In fact, there are 28 Michigan-based athletes competing in the Winter Olympics this month, representing not only the United States but Cyprus, France, Germany, Italy, and Sweden. Of those Olympians, 12 are Detroit region residents, making our region one of the largest producers of participating athletes across the entire United States.
One of the many mantras of Team Expedition Detroit is that "Winter is one of the Detroit region's greatest assets." Multiple feet of snow unlocks world-class skiing and snowboarding conditions at our "Big Four" ski resorts. Fresh powder also transforms our stunning local trails into destinations for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing adventures. On top of all of that, medical studies have proven that the coldest and darkest months of the year are critical for building endurance and strengthening mental resiliency.
Now, on the grandest stage of them all, our region's cadre of Olympians provide yet another metric for how blessed we are to have "true Michigan winters" here in Metro Detroit. Regional amenities and facilitates that have made our corner of the Great Lakes a general training ground for olympic hopefuls.
Ready to meet your hometown Olympic heroes, Detroit?! Here are the 12 Olympians from Metro Detroit competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics, including key dates and stats for you to track throughout the Games!
EVAN BATES | Figure Skating
Ann Arbor, Michigan
A living figure skating legend - still in the prime of his career - seeks to cement legacy in 5th Olympics appearance.
Along with his skating partner (and wife) Madison Chock, Ann Arbor-based ice dancer Evan Bates will compete for the U.S. as one of Michigan's most decorated Olympians. Chock and Bates were gold medalists in the team event and finished fourth in the individual event at the 2022 Games in Beijing, their only Olympic appearance. They've since won three gold medals in the world championships (2023-25) and, in all, a record seven U.S. national championships (2015, 2020, 2022-26). Bates also attended the University of Michigan and graduated in 2013.
KEY DATES:
Team rhythm dance: February 6th - 1st Place Finish
Team free dance: February 7th - 1st Place Finish
Individual rhythm dance: February 9th
Individual free dance: February 11th
CHRSTINA CARREIRA | Figure Skating
Saint Clair, Michigan
Recently-minted American making her Olympics debut.
Carreira was born in Montreal but moved to Novi when she was in middle school, and now calls St. Clair home. She and her skating partner, Anthony Ponomarenko, earned bronze at the 2026 U.S. Championships, sending them to their first Olympics. Carreira got her U.S. citizenship in Detroit in 2025, making her eligible to compete in the Olympics.
KEY DATES:
Team rhythm dance: February 6th
Team free dance: February 7th
Individual rhythm dance: February 9th
Individual free dance: February 11th
KYLE CONNOR | Men's Ice Hockey
Shelby Township, Michigan
NHL veteran and 2022 Lady Byng Memorial Trophy winner making official Olympics debut.
Forward Kyle Connor is a 10-year NHL veteran, having spent his entire career with the Winnipeg Jets. But before he carved out his career in the Great White North, Connor began his hockey career in Michigan, growing up in Shelby Township and playing at the University of Michigan.
KEY DATES:
U.S. vs. Latvia: February 12th
U.S. vs. Denmark: February 14th
U.S. vs. Germany: February 15th
Knockout round play-off: February 17th
Quarterfinals: February 18th
Semifinals: February 20th
Gold-medal game: February 21st
CONNOR HELLEBUYCK | Men's Ice Hockey
Commerce Township, Michigan
First American-born goaltender to ever win the Hart Trophy making Olympic debut.
Not to be outdone by his teammate (and fellow Connor), goalie Connor Hellebuyck has been in Winnipeg for 11 seasons. And though he was born and raised in Commerce Township, Hellebuyck played his college hockey at the University of Massachusetts before his NHL career started.
KEY DATES:
U.S. vs. Latvia: February 12th
U.S. vs. Denmark: February 14th
U.S. vs. Germany: February 15th
Knockout round play-off: February 17th
Quarterfinals: February 18th
Semifinals: February 20th
Gold-medal game: February 21st
JACK HUGHES | Men's Ice Hockey
Canton, Michigan
The latest installment of a family Olympic heritage making first debut at the games.
Center Jack Hughes was born in Orlando, Florida, and grew up in Toronto before settling in Canton for high school while playing for the U.S. National Team Development Program in Plymouth Hughes was drafted No. 1 overall by the New Jersey Devils in 2019 and earned All-Star Game nods in 2022 and 2023. He and older brother Quinn both made the Olympic roster, though younger brother Luke, also with the Devils, didn't make the cut.
KEY DATES:
U.S. vs. Latvia: February 12th
U.S. vs. Denmark: February 14th
U.S. vs. Germany: February 15th
Knockout round play-off: February 17th
Quarterfinals: February 18th
Semifinals: February 20th
Gold-medal game: February 21st
QUINN HUGHES | Men's Ice Hockey
Canton, Michigan
Decorated NHL hockey player and older Hughes brother competing in first Olympic Games.
Hughes, best known as a Norris Trophy winner with the Vancouver Canucks, was recently traded to the Minnesota Wild in one of the biggest NHL transactions of the 2025-26 season. Quinn's Michigan bona fides run a little deeper than his brothers', as he played at U-M from 2017-19 before heading to the NHL. Hughes earned All-Star Game nods in 2020 and 2024. Like his brother, he has represented Team USA before, but never in the Olympics.
KEY DATES:
U.S. vs. Latvia: February 12th
U.S. vs. Denmark: February 14th
U.S. vs. Germany: February 15th
Knockout round play-off: February 17th
Quarterfinals: February 18th
Semifinals: February 20th
Gold-medal game: February 21st
MEGAN KELLER | Women's Ice Hockey
Farmington Hills, Michigan
Veteran making third games appearance for the U.S., seeking 3rd medal (and second gold) in this year's Winter Olympics.
Megan Keller of Farmington is one of the most decorated college hockey players of all time and one of the first stars of the PWHL, as she currently plays for the Boston Fleet. She also participated in the 2018 and 2022 Olympics for Team USA, earning gold in her first go-round and silver in her second.
KEY DATES:
U.S. vs. Czechia: February 5th - Win 5-1
U.S. vs. Finland: February 7th - Win 5-0
U.S. vs. Switzerland: February 9th
U.S. vs. Canada: February 10th
Quarterfinals: February 13 - 14th
Semifinals: February 16th
Gold-medal game: February 19th
DYLAN LARKIN | Men's Ice Hockey
Waterford, Michigan
Waterford native and Detroit Red Wings Captain making his Olympic debut.
A true "Michigan Man" who needs no introduction. Not only is Larkin the team captain for the Detroit Red Wings, but he was also born in Waterford Township and played a season at the University of Michigan. He has also played for Team USA dating back to junior events in 2013 and will undoubtedly play a key role in his first-ever Olympics.
KEY DATES:
U.S. vs. Latvia: February 12th
U.S. vs. Denmark: February 14th
U.S. vs. Germany: February 15th
Knockout round play-off: February 17th
Quarterfinals: February 18th
Semifinals: February 20th
Gold-medal game: February 21st
KIRSTEN SIMMS | Women's Ice Hockey
Plymouth, Michigan
Collegiate ice hockey star making first Winter Olympics appearance for Team USA.
Kirsten Simms of Plymouth is still in college at the University of Wisconsin, but the two-time NCAA champion is already a key player on Team USA's roster having competed on two World Cup teams and winning the gold medal over Canada at the 2025 World Cup. Simms led the country in scoring with 71 points in 36 games for the Wisconsin Badgers in the 2023-24 season and scored the NCAA championship-winning goal for Wisconsin over Ohio State in the 2025 NCAA tournament.
KEY DATES:
U.S. vs. Czechia: February 5th - Win 5-1
U.S. vs. Finland: February 7th - Win 5-0
U.S. vs. Switzerland: February 9th
U.S. vs. Canada: February 10th
Quarterfinals: February 13 - 14th
Semifinals: February 16th
Gold-medal game: February 19th
JAKE VEDDER | Snowboard Cross
Pinckney, Michigan
Olympic veteran and global ambassador for Detroit region adventure sports seeking first Olympic medal.
Pinckney's Jake Vedder has represented Team USA in snowboarding since the 2016 Youth Olympics, in which he brought home gold in the snowboard cross event. He entered the 2022 Beijing Olympics as an alternate but ended up competing, finishing sixth in snowboard cross while replacing injured Alex Deibold.
KEY DATES:
Men's Snowboard Cross: February 12th
Mixed Team Snowboard Cross: February 15th
EXPLORE PINCKNEY RECREATION AREA WITH EXPEDITION DETROIT
ZACH WERENSKI | Men's Ice Hockey
Grosse Point Woods, Michigan
Columbus Blue Jackets veteran suiting up for the first time with a different red, white, and blue jersey in the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Grosse Pointe's Zach Werenski nearly completed the coveted "Michigan hockey trifecta" – native, college, and professional – but has played his NHL career entirely for the Columbus Blue Jackets, about 3½ hours south of Detroit. Werenski has competed with the United States dating back to his U17 days, and this will be his first Olympic Games with Team USA.
KEY DATES:
U.S. vs. Latvia: February 12th
U.S. vs. Denmark: February 14th
U.S. vs. Germany: February 15th
Knockout round play-off: February 17th
Quarterfinals: February 18th
Semifinals: February 20th
Gold-medal game: February 21st
EMILEA ZINGAS | Figure Skating
Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan
Former Cypriot athlete making Team USA debut at her first Winter Olympic games.
Emilea Zingas has represented Cyprus in international competitions but was born in Grosse Pointe Farms and has represented the United States since 2022. She was named to her first Olympic team on Jan. 11 with her partner Vadym Kolesnik, who was born in Ukraine but currently lives in Novi where he trains with Zingas.
KEY DATES:
Team rhythm dance: February 6th
Team free dance: February 7th
Individual rhythm dance: February 9th
Individual free dance: February 11th
On behalf of the entire Detroit region, we'd like to congratulate our resident athletes on qualifying for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina D'Ampezzo. Each of you make us extremely proud, not only for your success but also for the pride that you bring to our region.
Best of luck. Give it your all.
And know that we're already celebrating your success back home.
U-S-A! U-S-A!