Team USA Wins Olympic Gold In Men’s Ice Hockey
If Toby Keith were still with us, he’d be one of the loudest voices cheering for the U.S. men’s hockey team right now.
On February 22, exactly 46 years since the “Miracle on Ice,” Team USA won the gold medal in the men’s ice hockey final at the Olympics. The country previously won gold only twice before, in 1960 and in 1980.
This year’s victory came in overtime, when Team USA’s Jack Hughes scored the game-winning goal against Canada. The final score was 2-1.
“The USA hockey brotherhood is so strong…we’re so proud to win for our country,” Hughes said during an interview after the game.
The team paid tribute to the late Johnny Gaudreau after their win. Gaudreau, who played for the Columbus Blue Jackets, and his brother, Matthew Gaudreau, were killed by a drunk driver in 2024 while riding their bikes in New Jersey.
Team USA welcomed Gaudreau’s children onto the ice for a photo after they received their gold medals. They also held up Gaudreau’s #13 jersey, which they kept in the locker room throughout their time at the Olympics.
U.S. Hockey Team Celebrates With Toby Keith Sing-Along In The Lock Room
Naturally, Team USA was full of joy and American pride after their Olympic victory. They kicked of the celebration in the locker room after the match, where they burst into singing Toby Keith’s patriotic anthem, “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue.”
The song, also known as “The Angry American,” was written entirely by Keith. He was inspired to write it following his father’s death in March 2001 and the 9/11 attacks later that same year.
“…when you write something from your heart…I had a dad that was a veteran, [who] taught me how precious our freedom is…I was so angry when we were attacked here on American soil that it leaked out of me,” Keith told CBS during an interview in 2003.
“Courtesy” was released as a single in May 2002, and it soon became one of Keith’s signature songs.
“Courtesy” has since become a standard song to share at 4th of July celebrations and other patriotic occasions. Team USA’s locker room celebration at the Olympics certainly qualified as one such occasion.
Charlie McAvoy, the alternate captain of the men’s hockey team, shared a video on his Instagram Story that captures the entire crew belting Toby Keith’s iconic song after their win. With their gold medals displayed around their necks, the players sang “Courtesy” at the top of their lungs while jumping up and down.
Multiple media outlets shared the video, which has since generated thousands of views. Watch the celebration below.
Congratulations to Team USA!
