Team USA Eyes Fifth Straight Para Ice Hockey Gold

When Declan Farmer isn't scoring championship-winning goals on the ice, he's playing Settlers of Catan with some of his best friends—who also happen to be his teammates on the most dominant Para ice hockey team in Paralympic history.

Team USA has reached the podium at every Winter Paralympics this century and now stands on the brink of making history. At Milano Cortina 2026, they're hunting for their fifth straight gold medal and sixth overall, a feat no other team has achieved.

The 28-year-old Farmer, already a three-time Paralympic champion, believes the team's success comes down to genuine connection. "First, we all really like each other, we like being around each other," Farmer told Olympics.com. "Some of my best friends in the world are on this team."

That friendship translates into remarkable chemistry on the ice. At Beijing 2022, the U.S. scored 30 goals in just four games, with Farmer involved in 60 percent of them on his way to the MVP award.

The Milano Cortina roster features nine players with multiple Paralympic golds, including captain Josh Pauls, who's chasing his stunning fifth consecutive gold medal. Four players—Farmer, Kevin McKee, Jen Lee, and Brody Roybal—are aiming for their fourth.

But this golden streak faces its toughest test yet. The sport is growing globally, and rivals like Canada, host nation Italy, and China are closing the gap. Canada's 2024 World Championship victory proved that any game could go either way.

Why This Inspires

What makes Team USA special isn't just their trophy collection. They're actively working to grow Para ice hockey worldwide, helping developing programs improve and making the sport more accessible. "Our ambition isn't just to be the best team," Farmer explained. "We want to improve the sport around the world and help countries that are behind us grow."

The team's approach balances individual creativity with smart, conservative play when needed. They commit to putting the team first, even when that means simplifying plays instead of going for flashy moves. That discipline, combined with their off-ice bond forged through card games and Catan tournaments, creates what Farmer calls "infectious energy."

Their heated rivalry with Canada adds extra motivation, having contested the last two Paralympic finals. Though the U.S. has had the upper hand recently, Farmer acknowledges the competition keeps them sharp and driven.

As they step onto the ice in Milan, Team USA carries more than just the weight of four consecutive golds—they carry the hope of proving that excellence and genuine friendship can fuel each other, creating something greater than individual talent alone could achieve.