Connor Hellebuyck and Jack Hughes join Jim Craig and Mike Eruzione as US Olympic hockey champions

MILAN (AP) — Go ahead and put the names Jack Hughes and Connor Hellebuyck right in the same revered place that Mike Eruzione and Jim Craig have occupied since their “ Miracle On Ice ” triumph in 1980.

It had been 46 years since the United States won the men's hockey gold medal at an Olympics. This time, the country can thank Hughes, he of the lost teeth and the winning goal less than 2 minutes into overtime Sunday, for a 2-1 victory over Canada at the Milan Cortina Games, and Hellebuyck, he of the 41 saves, many of them spectacular.

They will be remembered — and always associated with this win.

“As a kid, when you're growing up and you're watching the Olympics, you kind of remember moments. I’m sure this is going to be a moment that younger kids are talking about: ‘You see Jack scoring the OT winner?’” American forward Brock Nelson said. “I'm sure that's a moment that kids are probably going to try to recreate and try to envision themselves in that spot later on in life.”

That's precisely the reason that when U.S. defenseman Charlie McAvoy was trying to find the right words to praise Hellebuyck, this is what he went with: “He channeled his Jimmy Craig tonight.”

Nelson's uncle was a member of that 1980 championship team at the Lake Placid Games, and was present Sunday. Nelson's grandfather was on the only other U.S. men's hockey team to claim gold, at Squaw Valley in 1960. That means this 2026 victory is the first for the country in this sport outside the United States.

Way back when, the stars — the players most strongly associated with the most recent men's hockey title at a Winter Games until Sunday — were Eruzione, he of the winning goal against the heavily favored Soviet Union along the way to the gold, and Craig, the star goalie who famously looked into the crowd for his father after that game.

Eruzione, who was at the arena Sunday, and Craig were part of a collection of amateurs who stunned the world.

The big difference this time, of course, is that Hughes and Hellebuyck are professional players, certified stars of the NHL, which brought its players back to the Olympics for the first time since 2014. So there is less to be shocked by with Sunday's outcome.

What those four have in common are the gold medals they'll own forever.

Hughes, a center for the New Jersey Devils, deposited his winner past Jordan Binnington off the rush, with an assist from Zach Werenski, during the 3-on-3 OT.

“In this tournament, he showed he’s one of the best players in the world — clearly,” said Quinn Hughes, the older brother and teammate of the newest American star.

The siblings — Jack is 24; Quinn is 26 — were consistently among the best U.S. players at these Olympics.

This comes after Jack was criticized for his performance a year ago at the 4 Nations Face-Off, which Canada won. And his goal Sunday is the best thing to happen to him on the ice after a rough stretch over the past 11 months. He had shoulder surgery that ended his 2024-25 NHL season, then missed five weeks earlier this season after slicing his right thumb open at a team dinner.

“Last couple years,” Jack said, “a lot of things have happened to me.”

Not surprisingly, his brother offered a strong endorsement, including praising Jack for handling it well when he was placed on U.S. coach Mike Sullivan's fourth line.

“He takes a lot of (gruff). No one loves the game more than him,” Quinn said. “He’s got so much passion. He's a gamer. He made it happen.”

Canada dominated the action Sunday, outshooting the U.S. 42-28. But Matt Boldy put the Americans ahead after just 6 minutes, and Hellebuyck managed to make that be enough to get to the extra period, despite giving up a tying goal to Cale Makar.

Over and over, Hellebuyck was in the right place at the right time, his reflexes good enough to make just about every stop he needed to. And when he wasn't, he had a bit of help from the Canadians, including when Nathan MacKinnon was alone near the goal but put his shot off the side netting.

Or when Connor McDavid had a 1-on-1 breakaway earlier, but appeared to wait too long and didn't get a good attempt off.

Hellebuyck, who plays for the Winnipeg Jets, is certainly no slouch: He's won MVP honors in the NHL.

But he has heard the negativity about not coming up big enough in the playoffs. And Hellebuyck was struggling this season. He had arthroscopic knee surgery in November, a week after Hughes’ operation, and returned three weeks later.

“Those critics — they can keep writing, but they don’t understand goaltending. They definitely don’t understand my game. ... These are the moments that prove it,” he said. “I came into this game, probably one of the biggest of my career, and I really wasn’t that nervous. The second I woke up this morning, I felt I was doing everything right. ... It kind of translated.”

AP Winter Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics

United States goalkeeper Connor Hellebuyck (37) celebrates as player receive their medals after defeating Canada in overtime to win the men's ice hockey gold medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

United States' JT Miller (10) and Zach Werenski (8) celebrate with Jack Hughes (86) after Hughes scored the winning goal in overtime against Canada to win the men's ice hockey gold medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

United States' Jack Hughes (86) reacts after receiving his gold medal after the USA defeated Canada in the men's ice hockey gold medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

United States' Connor Hellebuyck (37) skates around the ice with the American flag after the US defeated Canada in the men's ice hockey gold medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

United States' Jack Hughes celebrates after scoring the winning goal against Canada during the overtime period of the men's ice hockey gold medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

United States' Kyle Connor (81), Zach Werenski (8), Jack Hughes (86) and Clayton Keller (91) react after receiving their gold medals after the United States defeated Canada in the men's ice hockey gold medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

United States' Connor Hellebuyck (37) celebrate after defeating Canada during a men's ice hockey gold medal game between Canada and the United States at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar)

Canada's Macklin Celebrini and United States' Connor Hellebuyck vie for the puck, during the men's ice hockey gold medal game, at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (Julien De Rosa/Pool Photo via AP)

United States' Jack Hughes (86) and Zach Werenski (8) celebrate after Hughes scored the winning goal against Canada during the overtime period of the men's ice hockey gold medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

United States' Jack Hughes (86) celebrates with goalie Connor Hellebuyck (37) after scoring the game-winning goal against Canada in sudden death overtime during the men's ice hockey gold medal game at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The U.S. military said Monday that two American-flagged merchant ships had successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz after it launched a new plan to restore traffic. Iran has effectively closed the critical waterway since the U.S. and Israel launched the war in late February.

U.S. President Donald Trump's new initiative to break Iran's chokehold has escalated the standoff. The U.S. military denied Iran's claims that it had struck an American Navy vessel. The United Arab Emirates meanwhile issued its first missile alert since a ceasefire reached in early April and accused Iran of targeting an oil tanker.

Iran's effective closure of the strait has caused a spike in worldwide fuel prices and rattled the global economy. As part of Trump's latest effort to reopen it, the U.S.-led Joint Maritime Information Center advised ships to cross the strait in Oman’s waters, saying it set up an “enhanced security area.”

It was unclear whether shipping companies, and their insurers, will feel comfortable taking the risk given that Iran has fired on ships in the waterway and vowed to keep doing so. Hundreds of ships have been bottled up in the Persian Gulf for weeks.

Iran has said the new U.S. effort is a violation of the fragile ceasefire that has held for more than three weeks. Its control of the strait is a major source of leverage, allowing it to inflict pain on the global economy despite being outgunned on the battlefield.

The U.S. military’s Central Command said the two American-flagged merchant ships were “safely headed on their journey” after transiting the Strait of Hormuz. It said Navy guided-missile destroyers in the Persian Gulf were helping to restore traffic.

Its statement on X said that U.S. destroyers had also transited the strait. It did not say when the Navy ships arrived or when the merchant vessels departed.

Trump's announcement Sunday that the U.S. would “guide” ships out of the strait warned that Iranian efforts to block them “will, unfortunately, have to be dealt with forcefully.”

He described “Project Freedom” in humanitarian terms, designed to aid stranded seafarers, many on oil tankers or cargo ships, who have been stuck in the Persian Gulf since the war began. Crews have described to The Associated Press seeing drones and missiles explode over the waters earlier in the war as their vessels run low on drinking water, food and other supplies.

Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency called the effort part of Trump's “delirium.”

Iran’s military command on Monday said ships passing through the strait must coordinate with them.

“We warn that any foreign military force — especially the aggressive U.S. military — that intends to approach or enter the Strait of Hormuz will be targeted,” Maj. Gen. Pilot Ali Abdollahi told state broadcaster IRIB.

The disruption of the waterway has squeezed countries in Europe and Asia that depend on Persian Gulf oil and gas, raising prices far beyond the region.

Trump has promised to bring down gas prices as he faces midterm elections this year.

The U.S. has warned shipping companies they could face sanctions for paying Iran for transit of the strait.

The Joint Maritime Information Center urged mariners to coordinate closely with authorities in Oman, an Arab state that shares the strait with Iran, “due to anticipated high traffic volume.” It warned that passing close to usual routes “should be considered extremely hazardous due to the presence of mines that have not been fully surveyed and mitigated.”

The head of security for the Baltic and International Maritime Council, a leading shipping trade group, said no formal guidance or details about the U.S. effort had been issued to the industry. Jakob Larsen questioned whether the effort was sustainable and said there is a “risk of hostilities breaking out again” if it goes ahead.

The United Arab Emirates accused Iran of targeting a tanker linked to its main oil company with two drones as it passed through the strait. It did not say when the attack took place. No injuries were reported. ADNOC Logistics & Services, an affiliate of the oil company, said on X that the ship was not carrying any cargo when it was hit off the coast of Oman.

Iranian news agencies, including the semiofficial Fars and ILNA, reported Monday that Iran struck a U.S. vessel near an Iranian port southeast of the strait, accusing it of “violating maritime security and navigation norms.” The reports said the vessel was forced to turn back.

U.S. Central Command said on X that “no U.S. Navy ships have been struck.”

The U.S. has enforced a naval blockade on Iranian ports since April 13, telling at least 49 commercial ships to turn back, according to Central Command.

The blockade has deprived Tehran of oil revenue it needs to shore up its ailing economy. U.S. officials have expressed hope that the blockade forces Iran to make concessions in talks to end the war.

Iran’s latest 14-point proposal for ending the war, made public over the weekend, calls for the U.S. lifting sanctions, ending the blockade, withdrawing forces from the region and ceasing all hostilities, including Israel’s operations in Lebanon, according to the semiofficial Nour News and Tasnim agencies, which have close ties to Iran’s security apparatus.

Iranian officials said they were reviewing the U.S. response, though Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei told reporters Monday that changing demands, which he did not detail, made diplomacy difficult.

Iran has claimed its proposal does not include issues related to its nuclear program and enriched uranium — long a driving force in tensions with the U.S. and Israel.

Iran’s proposal wants other issues resolved within 30 days and aims to end the war rather than extend the ceasefire. Trump on Saturday said he was reviewing the proposal but expressed doubt it would lead to a deal.

Pakistan said Monday it has facilitated the transfer of 22 crew members from an Iranian vessel seized earlier by the U.S., describing the move as a confidence-building measure as Islamabad attempts to revive talks. Pakistan hosted face-to-face talks last month.

Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said the crew members, who had been aboard the Iranian container ship MV Touska, were flown to Pakistan overnight. They were expected to be handed over to Iranian authorities.

The vessel will be brought into Pakistani territorial waters for necessary repairs before being returned to its original owners, the ministry said, adding that the process is being coordinated with the support of Iran and the U.S.

Metz reported from Ramallah, West Bank. Associated Press journalists Munir Ahmed in Islamabad, Pakistan, and Russ Bynum in Savannah, Georgia, contributed.

A bulk cargo ship sits at anchor in the Strait of Hormuz off Bandar Abbas, Iran, Saturday, May 2, 2026.(Amirhosein Khorgooi/ISNA via AP)

A patrol boat moves through the water as cargo ships sit at anchor in the Strait of Hormuz off Bandar Abbas, Iran, Saturday, May 2, 2026.(Amirhosein Khorgooi/ISNA via AP)

An Iranian tugboat floats in the foreground as cargo ships sit at anchor in the Strait of Hormuz off Bandar Abbas, Iran, Monday, May 4, 2026. (Amirhosein Khorgooi/ISNA via AP)

A container ship sits at anchor as a small motorboat passes in the foreground in the Strait of Hormuz off Bandar Abbas, Iran, Saturday, May 2, 2026. (Amirhosein Khorgooi/ISNA via AP)

People view rugs at the Grand Bazaar in Tehran, Sunday, May 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

A woman looks at jewelry in the window of a gold shop at Tehran's historic Grand Bazaar, Iran, Sunday, May 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

A man stands in the water, appearing to fish, as bulk carriers, cargo ships, and service vessels line the horizon in the Strait of Hormuz off Bandar Abbas, Iran, Monday, April 27, 2026.(Razieh Poudat/ISNA via AP)

Vehicles drive past a billboard with graphic showing Strait of Hormuz and sewn lips of U.S. President Donald Trump in a square in downtown Tehran, Iran, Saturday, May 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Cargo ships are seen at sea near the Strait of Hormuz, as viewed from a rocky shoreline near Khor Fakkan, United Arab Emirates, Friday, May 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)