Montana's Jake Sanderson Wins Olympic Gold for Team USA

When Jack Hughes scored the overtime goal that clinched Olympic gold for Team USA hockey, Whitefish native Jake Sanderson's memory of the next few seconds gets a little fuzzy. "I just blacked out and started freaking out and jumping around," the defenseman recalled.

What Sanderson remembers crystal clear is spotting his family celebrating in the stands. From his first skating lessons at Whitefish's Stumptown Ice Den to the top of the Olympic podium in Milan, Italy, they've been there for every milestone.

"When I win a gold medal, it's not just me, it's my family winning the gold medal as well," Sanderson said. His parents sacrificed to get him where he is today, and he'll never forget it.

The 23-year-old helped Team USA defeat Canada 3-2 in overtime last month, ending a 46-year gold medal drought dating back to the 1980 "Miracle on Ice." It marked the first time the United States beat Canada in an Olympic gold medal game.

Sanderson was born in Whitefish and lived there until age 11 before moving to Calgary, Alberta. His father, Geoff Sanderson, played 17 seasons in the NHL, and the family still owns a home in Montana.

Every summer, Sanderson returns to train at the same Whitefish rink where he learned to skate. "I want to represent the town of Whitefish well and put my best foot forward because I'm not just doing this for myself," he said.

Those summer training sessions helped prepare him for Milan. At 23, Sanderson was the second youngest player on Team USA's roster but brought valuable experience as one of only two players who had competed in the Olympics before.

His 2022 Beijing debut was bittersweet. He tested positive for COVID-19 before traveling, spent a week isolated in a hotel, then broke his collarbone in the second period of the opening game.

"My real hunger to make the Milan Games kind of started in Beijing," Sanderson said. He spent four years working to become an NHL regular with the Ottawa Senators while keeping his Olympic dream alive.

Why This Inspires

Sanderson played all six games in Milan as Team USA outscored opponents 26-9 on their way to gold. The gold medal game against Canada brought massive pressure, but he channeled it into focus.

"You never know if you're going to get that opportunity again to try to win a gold medal at the Olympics," he said. "Very stressful."

When Connor Hellebuyck made 41 saves and Zach Werenski set up Hughes for the overtime winner, that stress transformed into pure joy. Sanderson got to hug his mom, dad, and brothers, sharing the gold medal with the people who made it possible.

Now back with the Senators finishing the NHL season, Sanderson knows where he's heading when it ends. "I like to think of Whitefish as my home and my safe place after the season," he said.

The mountain air, his family, and the rink where it all started are waiting. For a kid from Montana who grew up to be an Olympic champion, there's no place quite like home.