Team USA hockey star Zach Werenski explained that life inside the Olympic Village can get a little awkward — especially when it’s time to eat.
Werenski, who plays for the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets, said the Americans were forced to share the dining hall with Team Sweden shortly after defeating them in overtime in the 2026 Winter Olympics quarterfinals on Wednesday, February 18.
“It’s a little weird just with us and Sweden being the only two teams in there,” Werenski, 28, told The Athletic on Thursday, February 19. “Obviously, it’s a little bit better for us after a win, but you can imagine, it’ll probably be hard for them in that situation. But it’s all part of the experience.”
Team USA defenseman Quinn Hughes scored in overtime to knock Sweden out of the tournament on Wednesday, earning the Americans a berth in the semifinals against Slovakia on Friday, February 20.
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“I think we obviously expected to be in the semifinals, and then we’re dealt a really tough task with Sweden, and one of us had to go home,” Team USA’s Matthew Tkachuk told The Athletic. “And fortunately for us, we’re still here, but I would have a hard time wrapping my head around it if we were heading home today.”
He added, “It’s very unfortunate for them, because they’re a hell of a team and one of the best in the world. They probably deserve to be in the semifinals. So do we.”
Tkachuk, 28, said life in the Olympic Village has presented its unique challenges, with Team USA hitting the ice at 9:10 p.m. local time for all of their games thus far.
“I got to bed really late [Wednesday night], so woke up [Thursday], went down [to the dining hall] kind of at the end of breakfast, early lunch, didn’t even eat, just had a coffee and talked to a few people, made a few trades for some pins,” Tkachuk said. “That’s like my normal morning. Normally, you’re sitting at a table with all the hockey guys, but there is a table of some of the figure skaters from the U.S. and from other countries right next to us.”
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He continued, “So we’re just kind of hanging, talking with them. Bunch of us went to the gym, so did an hour workout, had a meeting, and now got the rest of the day to do whatever we want.”
Tkachuk, a two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Florida Panthers, explained that it can be hard to wind down after the team returns to the Village after games, but admitted that his own caffeine routine is partially to blame.
“We all go to the hall, try to get some fuel in us,” Tkachuk said. “There’s a few of us that play cards every night after games. I would say last night you’re probably not shutting it down [until about 3 a.m.] by the time everything’s all said and done. But that’s what happens when you have an Americano and espresso at 6 and 7 p.m. at night. I guess you’re asking for it.”
The winner of Friday’s game between USA and Slovakia will face the winner of the semifinal between Canada and Finland in the gold medal game on Sunday, February 22.
