Recapping the seven PWHL Olympic Rookies who won gold at Milano Cortina 2026

For the third time in Women’s ice hockey history, the United States have captured gold at The Winter Olympic Games.

A mixture of veteran leadership and youthful energy propelled the Americans to a dominant tournament in which they outscored their opponents 33-2 over a collective seven games played. Their toughest match of the tournament came in the gold medal match against their longtime rivals, Canada, but Megan Keller’s slick hands were the difference as she scored the overtime goal to ensure the Americans were singing their national anthem when the flags were raised.

Before the games had even started in Milano Cortina, we wrote here about the way the Olympic rookies from the PWHL could be the difference as the team sought gold. In addition to the long-time veterans like Hilary Knight and Kendall Coyne Schofield, and young collegiate stars such as Caroline Harvey and Laila Edwards, there were a host of PWHL stars who would be making their first- ever appearance in the Olympics.

Forwards Hannah Bilka, Taylor Heise and Britta Curl-Salemme, defenders Rory Guilday and Haley Winn, and, of course, netminders Aerin Frankel and Gwyneth Philips, all played a part in the American triumph and showed the world why they’re such great representatives of the PWHL. Here's a look at exactly how each of them did.

Hannah Bilka, Seattle Torrent

Despite this just being her first Olympic Winter Games, Seattle forward Bilka looked extremely comfortable with Olympic competition while turning in a stellar performance on the score sheet. Bilka came into the tournament with four goals in 14 Torrent games this season and she matched that total for the Americans in their seven games. She served as one of the main offensive outlets for Team USA and tied for the tournament lead in goals alongside Swiss and Boston Fleet forward Alina Müller and Sweden's Thea Johansson. Bilka added three assists to make it seven points for a point-per-game pace at Milano Cortina 2026, finishing fifth in tournament scoring.

Britta Curl-Salemme, Minnesota Frost

The North Dakota native and Minnesota forward was a valuable piece for head coach John Wroblewski as she moved up and down the lineup throughout the games. Curl-Salemme's versatility and strong physical play were assets whether she was playing with the top line or in a checking role. Curl-Salemme registered one goal and five assists at Milano Cortina, with the five helpers ranking tied for sixth among all players in the tournament. She’ll look to continue her success when she returns to PWHL action with the Frost—where she is tied for the league scoring lead with 16 points—as they hunt for a third consecutive Walter Cup.

Taylor Heise, Minnesota Frost

One of the stars of the 2025 Rivalry Series just a couple of months prior to Milano Cortina 2026, Minnesota forward Heise continued her strong play for the stars and stripes in Italy. It was her stretch pass to Megan Keller that led to the all-important overtime game winner in the gold medal match. Her five points (2G, 3A) at Milano Cortina 2026 provided steady offense for the Americans. Heise anchored a second line for Wroblewski and provided strong two-way play, finishing with a +9 for the tournament—the best mark among all forwards in Milan. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 PWHL draft adds another accolade to her collection with the gold medal joining two Walter Cups and an Ilana Kloss Playoff MVP. She returns to action for the Frost tied for the PWHL scoring lead with 16 points, and her 13 assists leads all players in the category.

Rory Guilday, Ottawa Charge

One newcomer who didn’t have a huge role in Milano Cortina was Guilday, the rookie defender for the Charge who is leading all Ottawa defenders in points scored thus far in the PWHL season. She earned a spot on this US team but saw limited time on ice often serving as the seventh defender for the Americans. While she didn’t notch any points herself, Guilday (at left, below, with fellow rookie defender Haley Wynn) did finish the Milano Cortina Games at +2. She now returns to PWHL action with a gold medal around her neck, just one point behind the PWHL lead for scoring among rookie defenders. The steady blueliner also sits second in both assists and time-on-ice for any PWHL rookie.

Haley Winn, Boston Fleet

The Boston rookie earned her first Olympic call up after an impressive start to her PWHL career. Winn came into Milano Cortina 2026 as the league leader in time on ice per game and continued to log big minutes in Italy. Playing in the top four, Winn tilted the ice in favor of the Americans whenever she hopped over the boards. Her +11 at Milano Cortina was good for second in the entire tournament behind only her defensive partner, Harvey. Winn added a goal—the game-winner against Switzerland in the preliminary round—and three assists along the way. The defender, who sits second in scoring and assists among rookie defenders, will be a key piece for the Fleet as they look to stay atop the PWHL standings.

Aerin Frankel, Boston Fleet

The Green Monster was in top form at Milano Cortina 2026, allowing only two goals against all opponents and setting new records left and right. Frankel led all netminders with a .980% save percentage, a 0.39 goals-against average and earned three shutouts throughout the Olympic Winter Games, becoming the first goaltender in Olympic women's hockey history to record three blank sheets in a single tournament. With the win in the gold medal game, Frankel tied the Olympic single tournament win record of five. She returns to Boston tied for the league lead with nine wins and three shutouts, while ranking second in save percentage (.954) and goals-against average (1.35), as the Fleet look to hold onto first place—and chase their first Walter Cup.

Gwyneth Philips, Ottawa Charge

Philips wasn’t as busy as her compatriot Frankel in Milano Cortina, but when called upon, the 2025 Ilana Kloss Playoff MVP was as steady as ever. Philips got the nod in the United States’ 5-0 win against Switzerland, where she didn't give up a goal, and in the quarterfinal matchup with Italy where she was equally as difficult to beat, notching her first Olympic shutout, giving her a perfect save percentage for the tournament. Like her fellow Olympic rookies, Phillips now returns tofor the second half of the PWHL season with the Ottawa Charge—where she sits second in the league in wins with eight—with a boatload of new experiences and a Gold medal around her neck.